Stories @ CSI

Thanks to our incredible teens, Shearith Israel will soon be home to a pollinator garden! The teens came together last year to form a kvutzah, chapter, as part of Hazon’s Jewish Youth Climate Movement. Concerned by a warming planet disappearing ecosystems, these teens have committed to being positive change agents. After creating powerful video promoting awareness and action to save the Okeefenoke Swamp, the teens identified projects and opportunities to continue their efforts to repair the world.

With the anticipation of enjoying homemade caramel apples, the kvutzah and the Shearith USY chapter hosted the pollinator garden kick off work day to learn more about the incredible role of pollinators. Jewish beekeeper and gardener extraordinaire Amy Price facilitated the lesson and also guided the teens in their selection of what plants to keep and what to trim in the current garden space. The group decided on a design plan which included the planting of a fig and pomegranate tree.

After a giant mulch delivery, there was much more work to be done to carefully prune and clear space for the pollinator plants. Two additional work days were required to dramatically transform the garden, and now the garden is resting until early Spring - the prime time for planting. 

Amy is seen here in this video teaching about the wondrous - and delicious!- plants that are growing in our backyard and the incredible value they provide. You can see the teens hard at work in the background. Stay tuned for the garden commemoration for Tu B’Shvat!!