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Sustainable Stuffing

jesshaller — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 19:41:48 +0000

Instead of padding Mishloach Manot with shredded cellophane or colored paper, use banana chips, sunflower seeds or popcorn (only for recipients over 3-years old), or re-use newspapers and magazines.
[Courtesy of Canfei Nesharim and www.svivaisrael.org]

Plant a Tree for Tu B’shvat

jesshaller — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:36:16 +0000

More trees means better water quality, less runoff, and erosion. This allows recharging of the ground water supply. Wooded areas help prevent the transport of sediment and chemicals into streams. Plant a tree in Israel through the JNF or a tree in the US (www.affoundation.org) or a virtual tree through Canfei Nesharim to support seeds of Torah and the environment.

From Kurdistan to La-La Land: a Jewish Journey

Philip K. Jason — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:20:19 +0000

This review appears in the February issue of the (Jewish Federation of Collier County, Florida) Fede

A Real Gift

jesshaller — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:25:42 +0000

The average American spends $800 on gifts over the holiday season. Imagine if we shifted that money into earth and people friendly gifts like the local shul or school script program, a tree planting program in Israel or the US, or a donation to a charity close to your heart.

Novel Paints Nazi Plot

Philip K. Jason — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:24:09 +0000

This review appears in the January 2010 Federation Star (Jewish Federation of Collier County) Clouds

What We Really Want for Chanukah

jesshaller — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:23:53 +0000

According to a national survey, 70% of Americans would welcome less emphasis on gift giving and spending. Spend time together, instead.

Spark's "Good for the Jews"

Philip K. Jason — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:23:58 +0000

Published as “Esther the Midwester” in the December 2009 issue of the (Jewish Federation

It’s a Wrap!

jesshaller — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:18:10 +0000

In the U.S., annual trash from gift-wrap and shopping bags totals 4 million tons. We can eliminate all that waste this Chanuka: Use a reusable bag and remember that newspaper makes great gift wrap and is recyclable.

Build Your Own Ark

jesshaller — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:09:01 +0000

At the time civilization developed, the earth’s atmosphere contained 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide. We are now at roughly 390 parts per million. Noah worked to preserve a piece of the world as God asked him to. If everyone on the planet acts as Noah, and works to preserve a piece of the world, imagine how much we can save? Check out jewishclimatecampaign.org

On the 7th Day...

jesshaller — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:07:13 +0000

Shabbat is a day to step back from the act of creation: manufacturing, shopping, driving etc. Shabbat shows us that we have the ability to set limits on human exploitation of the world, is a crucial check on environmental destruction and a central Jewish value.

Pray for Rain in Israel

jesshaller — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 19:05:06 +0000

Depleted water resources and decreases in water quality, are endangering Israel’s water supply. 82% of wells supplying water to Tel Aviv are contaminated. Rain is the main source of water in Israel, that replenishes the Kinneret and underground aquifers. On Shmini Atzeret we begin praying for rain in the Shemoneh Esreh – and Israel needs it!

Happy Birthday, Earth

jesshaller — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 19:00:31 +0000

As we prepare to make Tshuva, – which literally means ‘return’- consider ways in which we can do tshuva to the earth. Discuss with your family and friends ways in which you can help return the earth to its rightful state. Take upon yourself one change which will help to ensure continued celebration of the earth’s birthday. Some examples: recycle everything you can, compost fruit and vegetable waste, plant a tree, waste less, respect natural places.

Early Warning Signs

jesshaller — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 18:32:00 +0000

The Three Weeks serves as an early warning period, leading up to Tisha B’Av, to strengthen our spirituality and prevent physical destruction. There are similar warning signs in the natural environment that we should heed, take responsibility for, and take action to make a difference.

Solar Energy

jesshaller — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 17:56:23 +0000

At the last Birkat Hachamah in 1981, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe, said: “This country, with God’s help, can be self-sufficient in energy. The problem lies in the failure to utilize God’s gifts to their fullest. There is one energy source which can be made available in a very short time. Solar energy is non-polluting, cheap, and inexhaustible. It can power individual homes as well as giant factories. The United States has been blessed with plentiful sunshine. God has blessed this country richly, and it is our duty to use those riches to their fullest.”
Brought to you by the Riverdale Green Team.

Celebrate the Sun!

jesshaller — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:54:09 +0000

The sun provides the Earth with as much energy every hour as human civilization uses in a year. Every 28 years, the Jewish community celebrates the return of the sun to its original place in the heavens at the precise time and day of its creation. Make a bracha for the “Birkat HaChamah” on April 8th. See http://www.canfeinesharim.org/learning/holidays.php?page=19829 for more information.

Spring Clean!

jesshaller — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 17:52:04 +0000

There are safe non-toxic ways to clean your home. Try these home substitutes for your Pesach cleaning:

Tile cleaner: Mix one-quarter cup white vinegar with one gallon of water.
Furniture polish: Mix three parts olive oil, one part vinegar. Wipe with a clean, soft cloth.
Oven cleaner: Sprinkle vinegar, then layer of baking soda on oven surfaces. Rub tough spots gently with fine steel wool; wipe with sponge

Cover It Up Wisely

jesshaller — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:49:29 +0000

Each Passover, many reams of aluminum foil are wasted to cover counters and shelves. Kitchen re-decorating stores can cut attractive pieces of linoleum or reusable thick plastic to fit over counter tops that are simple to tape down and remove, easy to wipe clean during the holiday, and effortless to store.

Focus on the Food

jesshaller — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:47:46 +0000

When you make Mishloach Manot, think about the origins of the mitzvah, which is to give a meal to your neighbor, by focusing more on the food and less on the packaging.

Consolidate Mishloach Manot

jesshaller — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:43:50 +0000

Purim’s around the corner! Take advantage of your shul’s amazing Mishloach Manot Project; reduce the number of baskets you make and send on your own. Fewer resources will go to waste and more will go to tzedakah.

A Purim Costume in Ester's Closet

jesshaller — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 17:41:37 +0000

Attention Pirates, Princesses, Mordechais and Esters! One way to reduce your footprint is to borrow or make a costume from old textiles. Each year about 386 million pounds of textiles enter the NYC waste stream annually. Riverdale Y has a Costume exchange – Ester’s Closet on 2/22.

Host a Tu B’Shvat Seder

jesshaller — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 17:40:06 +0000

Tu B’Shvat is a great day to explore the wonders of nature in Jewish tradition. How many mitzvot can you think of that are tied to the seasons, the land, the harvest?

Festival of Lights

jesshaller — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 17:28:43 +0000

This Chanuka, join others in focusing on lights and energy. Have you replaced all of your light bulbs with CLFs? Unplug charges when not in use and keep computers and TVs on power strips so that they do not drain energy while idle. To learn other ways to conserve, consider a low cost energy audit. http://www.nyserda.org/.

The Gift of Giving

jesshaller — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 17:12:21 +0000

Give sustainable gifts this year and if you have children, teach them the gift of tzedakah. Consider planting a virtual tree at CanfeiNesharim.org; support water projects in Israel at jnf.org; give families in impoverished countries live animals to enable them to become economically self-reliant at heifer.org. The Riverdale Y and your local Riverdale Shul also have donation opportunities.

Re-framing Chanuka

jesshaller — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 17:10:03 +0000

This year re-frame Chanuka at your house and make an old idea new again: one Chanuka gift for the entire chag instead of something each night. Kids love lighting Chanuka candles and playing dreidle. Enjoy it.

Aram Schefrin's "The Tenth Cow"

Philip K. Jason — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 19:29:30 +0000

FLORIDA NOVELIST FASHIONS MIDEAST THRILLER [first published in the October 2008 issue of the Federat