I just got back from the TED Countdown Summit last week in Nairobi, Kenya, where I was one of seven faith leaders from across the globe invited to join this visionary group of global innovators, business executives, scientists, policymakers, next-generation leaders, artists, and activists — all united in our commitment to building a brighter future. 
 
Why Nairobi?  According to the TED organizers: “There is no path to achieving the Paris goals that does not run through Africa. Kenya boasts one of the greenest grids in the world, with 90% of its electricity from renewables and 50% of this from geothermal. With 70% of its population under 30, Kenya is also home to a new generation of leaders committed to leapfrogging old patterns and pioneering a resilient path to economic development.” 

Over the course of three days, over 500 participants (half local, half global) heard over 40 climate-focused TED Talks from incredible leaders doing amazing things. There was also a variety of interactive workshops and discussions, including a dynamic session exploring faith-based initiatives, during which I spoke and facilitated deep and meaningful conversation alongside wonderful partners and participants. It was amazing to learn from so many world-class leaders and innovators driving systemic change across a variety of sectors, and a wonderful opportunity to deepen relationships with faith leaders, and cultivate new partnerships as well. 

My TED Countdown experiences over the years have been remarkable for a variety of reasons, including the profound global diversity in the room, and relatively very few Jews, at least compared to most other rooms I find myself in these days. That said, I connected with several local Jewish green business leaders, and one of my biggest highlights was getting to know Tzeporah Berman, the powerhouse Canadian climate activist leading the global Fossil Fuel Nonproliferation Treaty. Melanie Katzman led our outing to KENVO—Kijabe Environment Volunteers—a local Nairobi-outskirts community reforestation project working in partnership with the World Resource Institute to create a youth-led initiative in biodiversity protection and climate resilience. And Lindsay Levin serves as co-host, emcee, and one of the lead organizers of each TED Countdown Summit. So rest assured, amidst this fascinating and uplifting global climate leadership gathering, there were also moments of Jewish Pride and Jewish Peoplehood. 

As the TED Talks are released over the next 3-6 months, look out for more reflections from this gathering. There is so much to unpack and integrate into our work, and so many wonderful leaders and partners from which and with whom we can learn and grow together. 

Our world is in the midst of a hard reset. Institutions are faltering, and achievements, like the Paris Agreement, appear increasingly precarious. Critical challenges that mark everyday life remain unresolved, deepening fears about our shared future. Yet amid these headwinds, there are clear signs of progress toward a better world. Booming clean energy industries in China, the end of coal in the U.K., and a new generation of leaders in Kenya committed to leapfrogging old patterns of development, all point the way forward. Positive tipping points – many already in motion – can take us further, faster.

— The TED’s Countdown Summit leadership

Here’s to the global coalitions that continue to build a better future amidst these dark times. Now is the time for serious action, and we each can do our part.  If your Jewish organization is planning a sustainability project, Adamah’s Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition is here to help with planning and with financing. Connect with us today and learn how to get started.

L’chayim,
Jakir

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The Jewish Green Business Network connects North American and Israeli green business professionals in order to accelerate climate solutions across the Jewish world and beyond.

Many of us are living with intense anxiety amid the recent Iran attacks against Israel, political violence, antisemitic acts, and the climate crisis. 

Adamah’s core value of Jewish Peoplehood, building bridges for the Jewish people—from Israel and the Diaspora—to build a more sustainable future together, is more important now than ever. We stand with all those who yearn for peace and pray for the safety of innocent victims of violence.

In this moment, we need to mobilize the full power of the Jewish people in the face of existential crises. We need all hands-on deck to find our way through this moment, for our people and our planet—and that must include the tremendous brilliance, innovation, resourcefulness, and strength of the Jewish green business demographic.  

That’s why we are excited to launch the Jewish Green Business Network, a new Adamah program with massive impact potential moving forward. We are deeply grateful to our friends at the Jewish Climate Trust for believing in Adamah and in the power of this vision.

What will the Jewish Green Business Network do? 

• Local gatherings, business tours, climate week events, career panels, and networking events 
• A supportive multi-generational community of Jewish professional leaders driving innovation, and showing up to share, learn, mentor, and collaborate with one another
• Unique opportunities for business development, partnerships, and strategic connections between the North American and Israeli green business worlds

Click here to join the network! 

And here’s to the great strength of the Jewish people, and the power of community to see us through difficult times.

B’Shalom, 
Or Katzman & Talya Herring   
Co-Directors, Adamah Jewish Green Business Network 

Or Katzman is an impact strategist, entrepreneur, and community builder focused on climate, business, and social change. He co-directs the Jewish Green Business Network at Adamah and has led initiatives such as SDGIsrael, the Ecological Benefits Framework, and the Transformative Impact Summit. With expertise in climate science, water management, circular economics, and impact strategy, Or helps translate bold ideas into practical solutions for a more just and resilient world. 

Talya Herring Esq. is a strategic communicator, environmental advocate, and community organizer with a legal background and deep experience across climate tech, sustainability, and Jewish communal life. Talya brings her passion for the planet and people as Co-Director of the Jewish Green Business Network at Adamah. She has a strong background in environmental action, including managing marketing and research at PLANETech, practicing environmental law at Lipa Meir & Co., and founding a zero-waste business and podcast, Zevel Rebel.  

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I’m leaving behind despair… I’m taking with me the kaleidoscopic gorgeous array of life, the energetic, dynamic and filled with “chutzpah” people we’ve met. – Ana Levy-Lyons, tour participant

WHAT A WEEK.
Just one week ago, we embarked on Adamah-NY’s first Roots and Resilience environmental journey to Israel.

Landing in Israel on a Friday afternoon was a powerful moment. From the air, I took in the valleys, quarries, cities, and green hills of my homeland—almost like the pilot had arranged a personal aerial tour. It turned out the slower descent wasn’t just for my benefit—it was due to a missile launched from Yemen. It was the first of five we experienced that week. While those moments were certainly felt, they didn’t break our spirit. They did, however, create a big BALAGAN (our first new Hebrew word, which means chaotic situation) in the flight plans of our incredible group participants.

Embracing complexity—and exploring “roots and resilience,” as the journey’s name suggests— was our motto from day one. With the support of UJA Federation of NY’s DAJ (Diversity, Action, and Justice) Committee, we explored our deep-rooted connection to the land, the adamah, the planet, and to Israel—our historical, ancestral, and living homeland.

As environmentalists, climate activists, and nature lovers, we reflected on “roots” in many shades of green. But this journey wasn’t only about exploring our personal roots and resilience (though delayed flights, late-night sirens, and shelter runs at 2am was certainly part of it!). It was also about engaging in climate action, regional environmentalism, and how those intersect with Israel’s complex geopolitical and security realities.

We considered how physical security resilience and climate resilience are deeply intertwined—especially in times of war.

Why would a group of Jewish environmentalists come together to explore all this? What could possibly be Jewish about climate action? And how is talking about mitigation and adaptation in Israel relevant to our work in New York?

Our tour set out to explore exactly these questions—and more. We aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of Israel’s environmental landscape and how it intersects with the country’s internal and external socio-political challenges. We also wanted to highlight Israel’s cutting-edge environmental innovations and draw connections to the challenges we face in New York—especially around rapid development, population growth, and climate adaptation.

Equally important was the goal of connecting peoplehood and planethood—creating a supportive, values-driven network for Jewish professionals working in climate fields. Many of them have experienced isolation in their workplaces, often facing anti-Israel or antisemitic rhetoric. This journey was a space for solidarity, learning, and meaningful connection.

We did SO MUCH! A few highlights are shared below, and you can view the full itinerary here.

One of the most inspiring stops was our visit to the Shapira neighborhood in South Tel Aviv. There, residents have built a thriving community compost program, a productive vegetable garden, and—amazingly—their own sustainable currency: Lira Shapira. The currency is based on composted food scraps: for every kilo of food waste, you receive 1 Lira Shapira (equal to 1 shekel), which can be used to purchase fresh produce and goods within the local community. A beautiful model of circular economy in action!

In East Jerusalem, we toured with Palestinian urban planner Tareq Nasser, who works with Palestinian women involved in the Sinsila project. Together, they’re practicing placemaking—transforming neglected or underutilized spaces into vibrant, life-giving places. Through rooftop gardens, beekeeping, and community engagement, they are fostering both environmental renewal and social mobility in an area that deeply needs both.

We spent a day at the Lower Jordan River and the Dead Sea learning about its alarming ecological decline and the local coalition working tirelessly to save it; We also visited sustainable desert communities in both recognized and unrecognized Bedouin villages, where residents are blending traditional practices with cutting-edge climate technologies—like solar energy, biogas, atmospheric water generation, composting, and off-grid sewage treatment. These innovations are helping them grow crops, raise herds, and advance education in incredibly challenging, off-the-grid conditions.

Throughout the journey, we met incredible entrepreneurs who aren’t just building climate solutions—they’re also pushing for policy change and working to educate the public and decision-makers alike. One highlight was our visit to Jerusalem’s central produce market, where we learned about Metzilot HaMazon (The Food Rescuers). They treated us to a delicious lunch made entirely from rescued food—items that would have otherwise gone to waste. Beyond the amazing flavors, we were inspired by their mission: promoting food security, community engagement, and food system education, all powered by a dedicated team of volunteers.

Following a gut-wrenching and deeply humbling visit to the Nova Festival site, we met with Rabbi Avi Dabush, CEO of Rabbis for Human Rights—a resident of the area and a survivor of the October 7th massacre. Our conversation with Avi, held while overlooking Gaza and reflecting on the immense suffering of the Palestinian population just miles away, helped ground this moment in both political, emotional, and spiritual context. His unwavering commitment to hope, justice, and the pursuit of peace—even in the face of unimaginable darkness—was profoundly moving and inspiring.

Amidst all the powerful learning and reflection, we also had a LOT of fun! Our days were full of joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments. We explored vibrant shuks (outdoor markets), indulged in extraordinary vegan food, went stargazing, walked to the Kotel (Western Wall), and visited the beautiful Gazelle Valley Nature Reserve—a space preserved and protected thanks to a passionate community-led effort.

We spent our final days in Tel Aviv, soaking in its beauty, warmth, and vibrant energy—while continuing to learn. Our focus turned to climate innovation and sustainability at the local government level. We explored how the municipality is working to create a more walkable city, expanding micro-mobility options, and integrating mass transit projects.

We also learned how Tel Aviv is planning for the future—how growth projections for the Gush Dan metropolis are being aligned with climate vulnerability data (including extreme heat, sea level rise, and coastal erosion), prompting ongoing rethinking of sustainable urban development.

These days sparked rich conversations within our group—reflections on the parallels with New York’s own challenges, and exciting ideas about cross-fertilization and future collaboration.

Through powerful conversations with inspiring speakers and exposure to meaningful, innovative work at the municipal, regional, and national levels, we filled our buckets—with hope, knowledge, lived experiences, and many, many beautiful new relationships.

One of the core motivations behind this journey was to support American Jewish environmentalists and climate activists—especially at a time when holding both of those identities can feel isolating. During our meeting with one of Israel’s greatest climate activists, former MK Dov Khenin, now Chair of the Israeli President’s Climate Forum, he offered us a powerful reminder:

Don’t give up on Israel [on your conversation with others, especially progressive Jews]… because when you give up on Israel, you’re giving up on us—the people.

This journey reminded us that hope is a renewable resource—and that by staying connected to each other, to our values, to the land and to all its people, we can continue to lead with strength and purpose.

Dr. Shahar Sadeh, Adamah NY Founding Director and Tour Leader

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Since February, I’ve had the honor to study at the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies in Ketura, Israel. Here, I have had the opportunity to study with incredible peers and professors, and have made connections which will last far beyond the conclusion of the semester.

I think it is critical to start this post by explaining a bit about my background. I am a Modern Orthodox Jew who grew up in Baltimore and New York. I was raised in a Zionist home and community which instilled within me a love for the Jewish people and a desire to learn more and contribute to the Jewish state. I was also raised on the values of environmentalism and sustainability. My maternal grandfather was a climate scientist who was one of the first advocates for greenhouse gas emissions research and policy at Exxon before they eliminated his research team. From a young age, my parents taught me the importance of caring for a sustainable world. I always felt passionate about being an environmental leader.

These passions which I developed early in life led me to study both Near Eastern Studies and Environmental Studies at Princeton University for my undergraduate degree. Prior to beginning my degree, I would not have seen such an intersection between these fields. I began to conduct research as an undergraduate on the transformation of a river in Northern Israel. Without going into too much detail, what I discovered in my research was that in order to understand environmental policy and change in Israel, it was critical to learn more about the conflict and the geopolitical and historical context from which it began. This inspired me to study abroad for a summer in Jordan, where I was able to become relatively proficient in Arabic. I cherished the opportunity to speak with Jordanians of Palestinian descent about their lives and family histories and discovered how meaningful the power of storytelling and dialogue can be. 

When I first heard about the Arava Institute, I was shocked that there could be an academic institution which was so catered to my interests. Despite Princeton’s pushbacks in studying in Israel because of security concerns, I pushed them to grant me permission to study at the Institute for a semester. I was ultimately successful, and have been enormously satisfied with the decision to study here this semester.

The institute is constantly challenging what environmental stewardship can look like in a world bound by political borders and unrest. I learned here that while the basic mantra of the Institute is that “nature knows no borders,” the reality of the Middle East is far more complex. Different actors in this region need to understand when the environment transcends political borders, and also when nature is anthropogenically differently altered across varying political borders. Every class that I’ve had here, whether more focused on science or politics, has included that complex conversation which is critical to the work which the Institute does. I have really appreciated the honesty and humility with which the professors who I’ve been lucky to study with conduct themselves, which is hard when attempting to enact ground-breaking work to combat simultaneous political and environmental crises. As someone who is aspiring to be a change-maker in this field, hearing and understanding these nuances from professionals has opened my eyes to the practical work of well-grounded applied research.

Furthermore, it has been such an honor and privilege to have met the diverse student population which the Institute brings together. As one of very few international students this semester, it has been incredible to connect with students and interns who I would have never met otherwise. I have developed meaningful relationships with my roommates and peers while utilizing both my Hebrew and Arabic in the process. It has been critical for me to hear the stories of my peers both in and out of the official dialogue space. In addition to allowing me to deepen relationships, this has allowed me to widen my perspective of the different truths which people who live in and out of this region experience. Throughout the hardships and traumas which we discover here at the Institute, we are building deep channels of support and comfort to face the challenging realities which we face. 

Moreover, as one of very few religious students on the program, it has been so important for me to both share my lifestyle with others and connect with Muslim peers. On a recent trip to an Arab village in the Negev, one of my Muslim friends invited me to pray with him at the local Mosque during the fajr services at the crack of dawn. It has been so spiritually moving for me to be able to connect with others in this realm, simultaneously while being surrounded by the uplifting atmosphere of the still and vast Arava desert.

I must express again how grateful I am to have had this experience so far. It has been such a unique experience for an American university student. In a time in which our world is being plagued by toxic, extremist ideological battles, it has been so critical for me to hear the real-life stories of those experiencing this conflict. I have come to understand how critical social and environmental change are for our ever-changing reality, and how we need to ground such work in the nuances which our world includes. I will forever cherish the time I have spent here. I hope that this semester is only the beginning of engagement in this incredibly critical, meaningful, and complex work.

May we see more peaceful and sustainable times.

About the Author
Davi Frank is a junior at Princeton University studying Near Eastern Studies with minors in Environmental Studies and Religion. He founded and co-led the Adamah on Campus Chapter at Princeton for two years. In that role, he helped create meaningful events on campus, including a Jewish Learning Fellowship centered around Jewish ethics during a time of climate change, reverse tashlich events to cleanup nearby streams, and an environmentally themed Shabbat including a panel of activists, clergy, and professors in the field of environmental ethics and protection.

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Last Wednesday and Thursday, SAR Academy’s fifth grade embarked on a fantastic overnight trip to Teva. The experience was filled with bonding, learning and plenty of fun.

The adventure began with early morning tefillah at school, followed by breakfast. Afterward, the fifth graders boarded buses headed to the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center, ready for two days of outdoor exploration and connection.

Once they arrived, students enjoyed a wide range of activities—hiking scenic trails, engaging in nature lessons, walking along a stream, participating in team-building challenges, playing sports and enjoying delicious meals.

In the evening, the grade gathered for dinner and capped off the day with s’mores around a cozy campfire under the stars.

The Teva trip was a wonderful opportunity for SAR’s fifth graders to connect with nature, strengthen friendships and create lasting memories in the great outdoors.

The post SAR Academy Embarks on Teva Trip appeared first on Adamah.

One of the largest synagogues and religious schools in the Los Angeles area is embracing on-site solar power to cut its carbon emissions and save money on utility bills.

Valley Beth Shalom, which is in the San Fernando Valley, has spent close to $1.24 million on installing solar panels and energy efficiency improvements. The renewable energy installation includes more than 850 Q Cell rooftop panels by Sunistics Corp.

The solar energy output should generate close to 615,000 kWh per year and save close to $180,000 in annual utility costs. The new system should offset more than 75% of the synagogue and school’s energy use, paying for itself within five years.

“This solar project is a testament to VBS’s proactive leadership and dedication to sustainability,” said Matthew Weintraub, Executive Director of Valley Beth Shalom, in a statement. “By harnessing solar energy, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also securing long-term financial benefits that allow us to invest more in our community, education, and religious programs. Thanks to the support of our Board of Directors, individual donors, Jewish Solar Challenge, and Adamah’s Jewish Leadership Climate Coalition, we are proud to be at the forefront of sustainable transformation in the Jewish community.”

The project was supported by a combination of funding sources, including a $50,000 grant from the Jewish Solar Challenge, generous individual donations, an interest-free loan from Adamah’s Climate Action Fund, significant incentives and rebates provided by the Inflation Reduction Act for nonprofit organizations, and financing by Beneficial State Bank.

Valley Beth Shalom was founded in the 1950s and is in Encino. It includes more than 1,500 member families and, in 2009, was named by Newsweek as one of “America’s 25 Most Vibrant Congregations.”

Rabbis from the synagogue launched the non-profit Jewish World Watch, committed helping survivors of genocide and mass atrocities worldwide.

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Mission highlighted Israel’s achievements in fighting climate change.

I was invited by the National Adamah group to join their staff and 30 other climate activist lay leaders from around the country, England and Canada, to learn more about our joint Israeli-Diaspora mission to help fight climate change. 

I am deeply grateful to Adamah for the opportunity to experience Israel in a way unlike any of my previous visits. This was not a sightseeing tour; it was about peoplehood, planethood and problem-solving — focusing on one of the greatest challenges of our time: climate change.

My fellow travelers on this journey were leaders in their Jewish communities, working to bring this crucial work to others, regardless of religious, cultural, political or national differences. Their dedication should be recognized and celebrated.

Upon landing in Israel, I immediately felt as though I were entering a house of shivah. From Ben Gurion Airport to the streets, roundabouts, stores, restaurants, Tel Aviv boardwalk and train/bus stations, reminders of the country’s ongoing trauma were everywhere. Yellow ribbons and the faces of the dead and hostages lined the streets, making it impossible to forget the pain that lingers. This feeling was crystalized by a visit to Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, where I spoke with kibbutz survivors and Nova Festival attendees who shared their harrowing experiences.

This trauma brought me back to my first trip to Israel as a 17-year-old in the summer of 1974, just eight months after the Yom Kippur War. At that time, Israel was still reeling from the trauma of war, struggling with the weight of heavy losses. Ceasefire agreements with Egypt and Syria had been signed only a month before my arrival with Camp Ramah Canada for an eight-week journey across the country. It is deeply saddening that throughout my entire life, this land has known so much war, hostility and trauma.

A Start-Up Nation Amidst Growth and Innovation

Despite its challenges, Israel remains a “start-up nation” — a beacon of resilience and innovation. 

People often forget that, with all its advancements in technology, agriculture, mass transit and booming construction, Israel is still a young nation — just 77 years old, nearly four times younger than the U.S.

The post Reflections on the Adamah Leadership Mission to Israel appeared first on Adamah.

Bringing the themes of Passover to Earth Day, we connected with our partners at Adamah to discuss, “How can we all be free from environmental injustices?”. Read on for a conversation between Recustom’s Partnerships Manager, Jessica and Madeline, the Youth Empowerment, Education and Actions Manager at Adamah, the largest Jewish environmental organization in North America.

At Recustom, we provide tools to DIY Jewish rituals. Our full content library is free to explore here. And, you can learn more about how to connect with Adamah here. 

Jessica: I would love to hear a bit about your background and work with Adamah. 

Madeline: At Adamah we’re trying to catalyze vibrant contemporary Jewish life in connection with the earth. My focus is working with young people to do climate action, organizing, and education, which is rooted in Jewish environmental teachings, traditions and rituals.

Passover is both a call to environmental thinking and a call to climate justice work. It’s about liberation and finding autonomy in that process of collective liberation. My own background as a a young person who has experienced the front lines of the climate crisis in the Gulf South, who has been in a lot of movements, and who has watched the Jewish community suffer at the hands of climate change, both through experiencing things life wildfires and floods, particularly in my hometown, and who has watched the roots of Jewish tradition be jeopardized by changing climate patterns. All of this has brought me to my work at Adamah.

Jessica: Could you share a bit more about how you understand climate action to be a Jewish value and where you see that value ultimately intersecting with Passover? And, how might we bring this understanding into our day to day? 

Madeline: In Passover, so much of the tradition is rooted in the turning of the season, connecting with the foods that are available to eat seasonally. At the same time, we’re abstaining from wheat, from chametz. Therefore, we can draw this understanding of collective liberation coming from a process of figuring out what in our lives we want to take out, in order to move from narrowness into expansiveness. I think the climate crisis shows us the ways that we have fixated on a narrow understanding of what it means to produce and consume, based on a model of extraction from the land that is not regenerative and frankly, not aligned with Jewish time or practices. 

Passover is an opportunity to root out the many systems of oppression that brought us to the current moment: racism, white supremacy, unequal economic systems, anti-semitism. Passover is this big liberation holiday in which a relationship to land and an attunement to the time of year is put into relationship with justice. That’s a lot of what fighting the climate crisis is. It’s an opportunity to see how a different mode of relating to land, to agriculture, to resource extraction, renewable energy, to economy, can also be an opportunity for justice for so many marginalized groups that have suffered at the expense of the systems that have enabled the climate crisis historically.

Jessica: There is a broad spectrum of backgrounds who might be represented at a seder table: Jewish people, friends of Jewish people, people attending their first seder, people in interfaith relationships, and more, each with their own connection to the climate crisis. What advice do you have for hosts, who want to bring these ideas into their next seder or gathering?  

Madeline: The entrypoint that comes to mind are the plagues. There is a tradition in liberal seders in recent decades of talking about modern day plagues in connection to the climate crisis.

What I think needs to be probed more deeply is that the plagues are not these injustices that are festering in Egyptian society that the Israelites are rooting out in their liberation tale. Rather, they are inflicted upon the Egyptians in the process of liberation. So, they’re really complicated. They’re fraught because what they demonstrate is that the process of coming into a better future of freedom, sometimes has measures of violences that come as a side effect, or even a deliberate response. And that’s really complicated. When we think about the climate crisis, there’s a lot that needs to change in our world. We’re experiencing how, when those in power don’t shift, the consequences are like plagues. I think there’s a lot of interesting room for conversation there.

We can interpret the plagues and climate disasters as the ways that people suffer at the hands of their leaders. The Egyptian people are different from Pharaoh, and yet everybody, and sometimes including the Israelites (but mostly including the Egyptians) suffer from the plagues. From there we can draw parallels to the ways that the climate crisis is manifesting for everybody. What losses might happen? What would we actually need to think of ourselves as shifting and what might feel tense? What pleasures or privileges do we feel like we’re losing on a shifting planet? And actually, how can we transcend that mindset of narrowness and loss to the expansiveness of getting out of narrowness into a justice oriented to climate justice?

The practice of storytelling and the plagues, particularly thinking that you personally came out of Egypt and being in conversation with our descendants and ancestors are really ripe topics for understanding the meaning of the climate crisis as an emotional, somatic, intergenerational experience and an imperative to action today. 

Jessica: How might hosts empower attendees to bring their own stories to the table? And, to feel empowered to talk about something that could feel sensitive and challenging?

Madeline: I love a good discussion prompt. What’s beautiful about the seder is that in the enactment of the ritual, everything is thematic, everything has meaning to be parsed, and that meaning is really oriented in time. It’s not just that we’re telling the story of the past. We’re figuring out why this past has meaning to us today. 

I would recommend finding one or two resources that resonate and preparing a few discussion questions to invite in conversation. Ask participants to share their own stories– maybe you, as the leader, could model telling a story first, making a connection between the personal, collective, and present moment. I think there are lots of different ways to do it. What’s beautiful about Jewish ritual is that it’s always an invitation to interrogate our current world and how it shapes our understanding of the past into the future in creative ways.

Check-out discussion prompts from Adamah for your next seder or to use year round on Recustom and explore Adamah’s full Passover 2025 resource here.

The post From Passover to Earth Day appeared first on Adamah.

Global temperatures continue to rise, breaking records every year; fires, floods and other extreme weather events are increasing at a rapid pace. 

As climate change accelerates, individuals and organizations are looking for ways to address climate concerns, invest in sustainability, protect our waters and make sure our critical resources, such as food, are used responsibly.

The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore is at the forefront of these efforts. More than a decade ago, it made a decision to go green, beginning with recycling, then moving on to a Green Loan Fund and solar power.  

“That decision,” says Ben Gershowitz, vice president of facilities at The Associated, “is part of our corporate mission and values, which is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jewish culture. It drives our commitment to be good stewards of the environment.”  

The Associated recognizes that by investing in the environment and safeguarding our resources today, we will leave a better, more sustainable world for our children and grandchildren.

Last year, The Associated became the only Jewish federation to be a founding member of the Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition, powered by Adamah, the largest Jewish environmental organization in North America. As a member, the organization released a Climate Action Plan that outlined the strategic efforts for The Associated network. 

Here are a few ways The Associated is leading the effort to address the growing threat of climate change. 

The post The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore at the Forefront of Environmental Efforts appeared first on Adamah.

Trees are a great tool for restoration—they store carbon, provide habitat for wildlife, and prevent erosion with their root systems.

But some types of trees hold a trick within their biology that makes them even more effective, a kind of shortcut that allows people to quickly fill an area with new plantings.

“Trees are expensive,” said Zach Cline, live stake coordinator with the Chesapeake Conservancy. “Live staking is a great way to get them really cheap, and plant hundreds of trees with only a few hours of time.”

Rather than planting a seed or a sapling in the soil, live staking involves taking a cutting of a branch or stem and driving it into the ground. Each stake—they must still be alive, hence “live” staking—will then grow roots and eventually become an individual tree.

Though there’s something almost magical to full trees sprouting from stakes, the process is a longstanding technique that takes advantage of reproductive strategies of trees in areas of high disturbance. Cline said that trees such as willows and dogwoods evolved to propagate not only from seeds but also with stems and branches that take root when they fall off a tree.

Live staking doesn’t work everywhere. It’s more successful with certain types of trees adapted to wetlands (willows, dogwoods, elderberry, buttonbush, alders, and sycamores) and in wetter areas where stakes can get a lot of moisture. Live stakes can be beneficial along streambanks, where they help against erosion, as well as for urban or agricultural areas.

With the right conditions, live staking can be very successful. Chesapeake Conservancy carries out live staking projects throughout the region, and they’ve had planting areas where 90 percent of stakes grow into trees, Cline said.

In March, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources hosted a live staking training event at Pearlstone Retreat Center, an environmental education center in Reisterstown, Baltimore County. The Chesapeake Conservancy led the training, which brought in staff and volunteers from several local organizations.

DNR and the Greater Baltimore Wilderness Coalition support a workforce development program called the Climate Crew Network. Emily Morrow, green jobs network coordinator with DNR’s Office of Outdoor Recreation, said these trainings are aimed at helping people gain skills for green jobs, but they also offer other benefits.

“Part of that workforce development is getting exposure to a lot of different environmental fields,” Morrow said. “So learning how to live stake might be environmental education and it might be community engagement, but it’s also showing people the value of being outside and why that’s good for your physical and mental health.”

The post Live Staking: How To Plant Hundreds of Trees Fast, Using Branches from Your Backyard appeared first on Adamah.

The project aims to reduce compaction, controls erosion and improve soil biology.

“We are looking forward to making some crop rotations to continue focusing on soil health and sustainability while being able to provide forage for our cattle,” said Lloyd.

In March 2023 the Kent-based land conservancy received an award of $750,000 from the state Department of Agriculture through the Climate Smart Agriculture & Forest Grant program. The program allocated $7 million to agricultural and conservation entities, and NCLC was one of 12 recipients selected for an award.

In 2024 the land conservancy announced 10 implementation grant awardees, and after a final competitive grant round last fall, 15 additional sites were selected. This year’s cohort includes beef, dairy, poultry, fish, forestry, vegetable, fruit and flower farms across Litchfield County and northwestern Fairfield County.

“Connecticut’s farms are in the top three for most at risk of loss in the country,” said the land conservancy’s Executive Director Catherine Rawson.

“Connecticut’s agricultural producers are committed to being part of the climate change solution through on-farm energy, soil health and carbon sequestration projects to further increase their sustainability and resiliency,” said Bryan P. Hurlburt, Connecticut Department of Agriculture commissioner.

High temperatures, more frequent and severe drought and more intense and damaging storms with associated flooding and power outages have been “huge challenges” for the Falls Village-based Adamah, a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm, said director Janna Siller, who noted that CSA shares are still available to the public at fvcsa.adamah.org.

“The $16,000 we’ve been granted from NCLC will help us adapt by purchasing supplies to improve our resilience to these challenges through greenhouse, field production and irrigation improvements like shade cloth, temperature-neutral insect netting, greenhouse climate control, automation, high tunnel ventilation, a generator for the greenhouse heating system, irrigation upgrades and an electric mower.”

The distribution of the grants, for which the Falls Village farm is “incredibly grateful,” said Siller, comes at a time of great uncertainty for farm businesses.

In addition to Carlwood Farm and Adamah, other Northwest Corner farm grant recipients include: $24,000 to Canaan View Dairy LLC in East Canaan; $30,000 Conundrum Farm in Kent; $8,000 to Howling Flats Farm LLC in North Canaan; $9,000 to The Stead Farm LLC in Barkhamsted; and $3,000 to Wright Farm LLC in Goshen.

The Building Resiliency program also includes funding for 22 climate-smart agricultural assessments conducted by Berkshire Agricultural Ventures.

Later this spring, NCLC plans to celebrate Building Resiliency awardees and program partners with an on-farm celebration.

“Small farms serving local customers like ours have long relied on federal grants like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program, both of which are federal programs that have supported farmers in serving local customers while mitigating climate change and preventing pollution.”

She further noted that federal funding for those programs and many others supporting local farm economies “have been frozen for months and are under threat of drastic cuts in the federal budget.”

In addition to Carlwood Farm and Adamah, the following Northwest Corner farm grant recipients include:

Canaan View Dairy LLC in East Canaan, which will receive $24,000 to purchase a dragline toolbar. This equipment promotes efficient manure application, which reduces nutrient loss and fuel consumption, decreases greenhouse gas emissions and improves soil and water quality.

Written by: Debra A. Aleksinas

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Rachael Walkins, National Culinary Director – Adamah

Rachael is a dedicated ally and servant leader who has spent the last decade enriching Jewish life at Pearlstone. As a Certified Dietary Manager, she built a strong partnership with the OU and Rabbi Freedman, ensuring the highest standards of Kashrut while leading the hospitality and housekeeping teams with warmth and care. Under her leadership, Pearlstone provided 125,000 emergency response meals during the pandemic, supporting first responders, Holocaust survivors, and families facing food insecurity. She continues to foster community through innovative programs, including Shabbat meals for survivors. In response to rising antisemitism, Rachael implemented guest service and sensitivity training for her staff, deepening allyship and compassion. Her unwavering commitment, leadership, and impact make her a truly deserving recipient of the Outstanding Jewish Communal Professional Award.

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