Greenbelters Jeannie Bellina and Melissa Ann Ehrenreich traveled on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11 to Pearlstone Retreat Center in Reisterstown to learn from former Greenbelter Joe Murray how to make an earthen, smokeless pizza oven using natural materials. 

Inspired by stories of how
Toronto public parks have created almost 20 pizza ovens for community use surrounded by gardens of tomatoes and basil, the duo registered for a Pearlstone Adamah service project to learn Cob Construction 101. 

Murray shared materials, design specifications and wisdom on how to assess clay composition in dirt gathered locally, how to achieve the best mixture to create a thermal layer that could support temperatures of up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit to meet kosher standards, and tips for success (a covered oven is key to preventing the oven from eroding when it rains).

The small team of five volunteers onsite created the final 6-inch layer on top of a sturdy sand dome, fire brick and cob brick base that was previously constructed. After this final thermal layer fully dries for two weeks, Murray will cut an oven opening out of the clay structure, remove the sand inner core and then light a fire to cure the inside of the oven. 

Participants were delighted with the hands-on approach and accessibility of construction, to say nothing of the low costs made possible by sourcing materials straight from the earth. They immediately began to think of ways to engage and bring this concept back to Greenbelt.  Could our community build a community oven here to host pizza parties for all? Maybe so.

The post Two Greenbelt Women Learn Art Of Building an Earthen Oven 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.

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.

The post Congratulations to Our 2025 Outstanding Jewish Communal Professional Award Winner – Rachael Walkins, Pearlstone appeared first on Adamah.

by Sam Sobel

February 12, 2025 

Hello, reader! In case you missed the previous Baltimore Environmental Sustainability Network blogs, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sam Sobel, and I’m the Baltimore climate action coordinator for Adamah.

The BESN is a collection of Jewish organizations and individuals working to promote a more sustainable Jewish Baltimore. This network is a partnership between The Associated and Adamah, initiated by Mark Smolarz and guided by the leadership of Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin.

While the BESN focuses on community collaboration, I also work with local Jewish organizations on their own climate efforts through Adamah’s national Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition. Open to any Jewish nonprofit at no cost, the Coalition is made up of community organizations that recognize the existential threat and moral urgency of climate change.

There is only one requirement for Coalition members — to submit a Climate Action Plan once a year in time for Tu B’Shvat, the Jewish new year of trees that starts this year at sundown on Wednesday, Feb. 12

An organization’s CAP details actions taken over the past year while setting goals for the coming year. More than 400 organizations internationally — primarily based in the United States and Canada — have joined the Coalition since its inception in September of 2022. Last Tu B’Shevat, there were eight Coalition members in Baltimore. By Tu B’Shevat this year, Baltimore can proudly claim 21 Coalition members.

The Coalition Climate Action Plan is broken down into a variety of categories focused on expanding impact and the path toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. While members are asked to share their progress in all categories, organizations often excel in one category more than the others. These strengths are apparent in our own community and are worthy of being spotlighted.

Energy Efficiency

The energy efficiency section of the CAP asks, “What steps have you taken and/or are you going to take to reduce energy use at your facilities?”

To begin to answer this question, an energy audit is often a useful first step. Several Coalition members in our community have gone through this process in the past year, including Baltimore Hebrew Congregation. The audit assessed the age and condition of all mechanical and other systems, and provided a list of energy conservation measure recommendations, which BHC plans to prioritize for implementation.

Having all-electric efficient equipment is a cornerstone for becoming a net-zero emissions building, a fact reflected in the opportunities of Adamah’s Climate Action Fund. One of these opportunities is the North American Climate Grant Fund, which has provided matching grants for projects that involve sourcing clean electricity, going electric and energy efficiency.

The Edward A. Myerberg Center in Northwest Baltimore was recognized for its climate goals with a grant award to replace its nearly four-decade-old refrigerator with a new and efficient model. When hearing about the Myerberg Center receiving this grant, one community member was inspired to donate a new freezer to complete the efficient set.

The Myerberg Center kitchen is far from complete however, as they plan to replace their ice machine and gas oven as well with efficient electric models, and share their experiences and the climate impact of their actions.

Fuel Switching to Electric Appliances

The goal of all-electric efficient appliances often requires switching over from fossil fuel-powered appliances to electric powered appliances. The Associated is engaging with this process by conducting a comprehensive inventory of fossil fuel-dependent equipment and infrastructure across their 19 buildings.

By carefully mapping out the natural replacement cycles of appliances, equipment, and vehicles, The Associated is creating a strategic roadmap for transitioning to electric alternatives. This methodical approach ensures both environmental and financial sustainability, setting an example for how organizations can make systematic progress toward climate goals.

Food We Serve

There are many intentional food choices that can be made to reflect a more sustainable way of eating. For Chizuk Amuno Congregation in Pikesville, a new grant from the Center for Jewish Food Ethics will allow them to model sustainable food choices for their community.

The synagogue and school will move toward more plant-based foods, starting with school lunches. To start, each Friday the meal is plant-based, with no meat or dairy. A caring committee of teachers, parents and synagogue members is brainstorming ways to help bring more plant-based options to other parts of programming, whether it’s the kiddush after services, meals and treats for the faculty and Shabbat/community dinners.

Food We Waste

As highlighted in a previous Jmore blog, food donation is a meaningful method of limiting food waste while also benefiting the community. When possible, the Towson University Hillel works with “The Hub,” the campus food resource organization. Through this partnership, Towson University Hillel aims to ensure that students in need have access to their food surplus, whether or not they are a part of the Hillel community.

Nature-Based Solutions

Nature-based solutions encompass climate action in natural spaces, such as lawns, forests, waterways and more. With 180 acres of land at the Pearlstone campus in Reisterstown, nature-based solutions are a priority.

This past year alone, 70 very rare Giant River Canen Arundinaria Gigantea — which used to be a major part of Maryland’s ecosystems but now are entirely gone — were planted onsite. Fourteen were also donated to other nurseries in the community to restore the species’ presence in the state.

But an organization doesn’t need to have a sprawling campus to make a difference with nature-based solutions. At Pikesville’s Beth Tfiloh Congregation, a stream restoration project in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency began in 2019.

The restoration of the Moores Branch runoff adjacent to Beth Tfiloh’s property has focused largely on future resiliency, installing components to protect from future erosion. In addition, a new footpath through the area was built so that anyone using the path as a shortcut for services would be gently steered onto a trail rather than disturbing the natural vegetation.

Education & Nature Connection

A central focus for many organizations is engaging communities through programming, celebrations and learning moments connecting people to the Earth, educating them about climate change and inspiring collective action

The Owings Mills Jewish Community Center exemplifies this approach with its pending grant proposal to create an educational nature trail featuring artwork highlighting native species. The project has actively sought community input throughout its development.

While this initiative represents a permanent installation, impactful environmental education can also occur through special events. One example is Chevrei Tzedek Synagogue’s upcoming “Green Mitzvathon” at The Myerberg Center (3101 Fallstaff Road).

This weekend-long event on May 2-4 will explore the Jewish principle of Earth stewardship (shmirat ha-adamah) while offering practical guidance for environmental action. Activities will include nature walks, services, plant-based meals and an environmental fair featuring educational demonstrations and eco-friendly vendors.

The 21 current Coalition members in Baltimore are deeply connected to our community, and the impact of their actions resonates far and wide. This is work to be proud of, and it’s only just beginning. Let us keep this important work up, growing and learning in our community climate solutions.

May we have peace on a healthy Earth. And go Orioles!

Feel free to reach out to Sam Sobel and the BESN at besn@associated.org. For questions about the Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition, reach out to Sam at sam.sobel@adamah.org

The next BESN event, which will be open to all, will be on food waste prevention. Learn how to help the climate, your budget and the goal of greater sustainability at our food waste prevention gathering on Tuesday, Mar. 25 from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Myerberg Center, 3101 Fallstaff Road. Register here.

The post JMORE – Tu B’Shvat Climate Action appeared first on Adamah.

As I’m warming up inside after being out in the snow (sheleg), I thought it might be nice to share a few thoughts about snow from our Jewish tradition, along with a beautiful story and Israeli song.

Our sages taught us about the special blessing of snow. In the Talmud (Taanit 3b), Rava says: “Snow on the mountains is worth five rains on the ground.” This is because snow melts slowly, and the water is gently absorbed into the soil, deeply nourishing it.

The special whiteness of the snow reminds us of the words of the prophet Isaiah: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” There is something purifying and calming about the sight of falling snow.

I’d like to share with you one of my favorite stories from our tradition – about Hillel the Elder. In his youth, Hillel was very poor and worked as a day laborer. Half of his meager daily wages would go to the guard at the study hall so he could enter and hear Torah from the sages Shmaya and Avtalyon. One day, when he couldn’t find work and had no money to pay, he climbed onto the roof of the study hall on a cold winter Shabbat night and listened through the chimney to words of Torah. The snow fell and covered him until the sages discovered him in the morning and rescued him. This story reminds us not only about the importance of making learning accessible to everyone, but also about how our study halls need to stay connected to their surroundings and social justice.

And while we’re staying warm inside, I’d love to share with you this beautiful song by Naomi Shemer, performed last winter at the peak of Mount Hermon. The song is performed by soldiers Assaf Moscowitz and Yehonatan Ashkenazi, who dedicated this performance to their platoon and to all those who lost their lives on October 7th, 2023.

These days, as I look at the white snow covering the farm, my heart is with Israel.

Avihay Aharoni

Born and raised in Jerusalem, Avihay is our Pearlstone Shaliach (Israeli Emissary), and enjoys making connections to Israel through songs, stories and music. He will be leading our farm-to-table Rosh Hashanah seder, designing the Israel Connection & Meditation Space, as well as leading a session teaching melodies from traditional Rosh Hashanah piyutim (poetry).

The post From the Hermon to Pearlstone: Snow, Stories, and a Song of Longing appeared first on Adamah.

Learn more about ReTreat Yourself!

Adamah “ReTreat Yourself!” initiative launches retreats for Jewish Communal Professionals 

Thanks to generous funding from Maimonides Fund, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, Crown Family Philanthropies, Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Foundation, and the Jim Joseph Foundation, Adamah is hosting a series of ten retreats for Jewish communal professionals across the country.

“ReTreat Yourself!” aims to support Jewish communal professionals who devote themselves to creating impactful experiences for others, sometimes at the expense of their own wellbeing. Retreat participants will receive the gift of spending three days in nature away from the demands of their full-time jobs, at no cost to them. The first two retreats were oversubscribed, with Adamah receiving over 250 applicants for 140 spots.

With each retreat capped at 70 professionals, Adamah is planning eight more, to be held at their two retreat centers, Pearlstone and Isabella Freedman, and at other Jewish retreat centers around the country. The next two retreats, scheduled for March 7-9 and August 11-13, 2025, each focus on a different theme: Jewish Mysticism & Meditation and Farm-to-Table for Jewish Educators.

“At Adamah, we believe immersive retreats are a powerful remedy to help heal mind, body and soul. There is nothing quite like it. Experiencing the magic of our retreat centers at no cost is something we are excited to provide to the hard-working leaders of the Jewish community.” 

Jakir Manela, Adamah CEO

ReTreat Yourself! is not modeled after “traditional” professional development where people come together to discuss technical skills directly related to job productivity. In addition to the rejuvenation aspect of the retreats facilitated with guest chefs, massage therapists, fitness coaches, and yoga instructors, these professionals are also given the opportunity to engage in Jewish learning with dynamic scholars-in-residence. The goal is for participants to emerge with a broader network of friends and allies in the field, new Jewish wisdom sources for inspiration, and renewed motivation, passion, and commitment to their work.

The inaugural retreat in September 2024 focused on Elul at Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center, an Adamah campus in Falls Village, Connecticut, and featured Rabbi Shai Held of Hadar as the lead educator.

“I had a chance to meet with others who shared the same values as me in both professional and personal religious paths. It made me feel like the path I’m on is the right path and gave me strength to move forward with new energy in my work and personal life.” – Lakota Lustig, Engagement Coordinator at Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York

Pearlstone, the headquarters of Adamah in Reisterstown, Maryland, hosted the second retreat in November 2024, with a focus on “The Torah of Nourishment,” featuring Rabbanit Dasi Fruchter of the South Philadelphia Shtiebel as the lead educator.

“I knew my Jewish work could use a renewing replenishing break. I mean, come on, it’s a no-brainer to want to attend. I’m tired of all the things I’ve tried: conferences, workshops, trainings; they’re not designed to be a break, and this is actually a designed break for us, where we can do activities in groups or by ourselves. I believe this has been very healthy for me in multiple ways and the healthier I am, the better I will be at my job.” – Alan Shusterman, Executive Director of Hill Havurah in Washington DC

The post Announcing ReTreat Yourself! appeared first on Adamah.

“[The coalition] tries to get the full team on board and will pick a handful of priorities that they’re going to work on together. I usually take all of those bills that have been submitted as a priority and then look through and decide from there what I think could impact the Jewish community the most; could impact Baltimore the most,” Snyder said.

She added that she also looks for bills that are interesting for the average resident and aren’t overly complicated or technical. She said that taking these selected priorities means that the presentations on the legislation will be on an issue that can make a big difference.

Snyder said that for people interested in making their voices heard about the environmental issues and legislation they learn about at the forum, the best practice is to learn about your elected officials and the work they’re doing.

She said if the work aligns with your interests, it’s worth it to try and set up a meeting or attend their events to start building a relationship.

And for people who aren’t certain the forum is something they’re interested in attending, Snyder said that it never hurts to come expand your knowledge on a topic like environmental advocacy, even if it’s not a personal passion.

Synder said that the forum is the only legislative advocacy event that BJC organizes to this scale, highlighting its importance to the organization and larger community.

“Our goal is to repair the world, and if we can highlight ways in which Maryland is trying to do that, then we are furthering that mission,” Snyder said.

bhamelin@midatlanticmedia.co

The post Baltimore Jewish Council and Adamah to Host Annual Environmental Forum appeared first on Adamah.

This autumn, Pearlstone completed a major Waterway Restoration Initiative. We accomplished this with the help of the Chesapeake Bay Trust and the France-Merrick Foundation, who provided generous funding to allow us to finish-up the final piece of this initiative: three beautiful bioretention rain gardens outside of Pearlstone’s guest lodges. 

The Waterway Restoration Initiative was designed to dramatically restore and renew Pearlstone’s landscape through ecologically sound water management. The first completed projects included restoring a 1-acre wet meadow and 1,300 feet of restored stream beds. The new rain gardens will interweave with the wet meadow and the stream restoration, cleaning rainwater coming off of Pearlstone’s rooftops and roadways, and slowing it down before it enters meadows, creeks, and stream.  

The rain gardens work by capturing stormwater runoff and filtering it through layers of soil and water-loving plants. As the runoff fills the gardens, it slowly percolates into the ground, reducing the risk of flooding and erosion. The water-loving plants consist of native pollinator species; in addition to filtering the water, they also provide habitat and food for local wildlife. The installation of these rain gardens not only helps manage water effectively but also enhances Pearlstone’s aesthetic appeal – in the warmer months, the gardens showcase shades of orange, purple, and white, with floral blooms gently swaying in the breeze. Located at the entrance to the lodges, they serve as living demonstrations of our commitment to environmental education and stewardship, showcasing how ecological design makes human spaces healthier, more balanced, and more inviting. 

Completing the Waterway Restoration initiative was a major undertaking, involving eight years of work, $1.5m in funding, and countless stakeholders and partners. The benefits have been profound. Paired with Pearlstone’s regenerative land practices (no-till farming, prescribed burns, invasive species removal, re-seeding native grasses and forbs, and creating a silvopasture orchard), the Waterway Restoration initiative has already made a significant difference in our landscape. Overall moisture and organic content in Pearlstone’s soils has increased dramatically – and both of these are key elements in re-building topsoils in order to combat climate change. According to Carbon Brief: “The world’s soils have lost a total of 133 billion tons of carbon since humans first started farming around 12,000 years ago…The top meter of the world’s soils contains three times as much carbon as the entire atmosphere.” Soil carbon management is increasingly cited as a major negative emissions technology (NET) that could help remove greenhouse gases from the air, and we are dedicated to demonstrating regenerative, climate-friendly soil management at Pearlstone.   

As we wrap-up our restoration projects and prepare for winter, we extend heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in bringing this vision to life. Our goal is to unite the local community in land stewardship as we care for this beautiful planet we all call home, and throughout our restoration work, we’ve collaborated with incredible neighbors (such as the Baltimore American Indian Center, who collaborated with us on the Temakwehane Stream restoration). The successful completion of the rain gardens — and Pearlstone’s ongoing ecological restoration work — is a testament to our team’s dedication, and to the dedication of our community partners. Together, we’re transforming Pearlstone into a sustainable demonstration ground where nature thrives harmoniously with community life. 

We invite you to visit the new rain gardens, along with other ecological initiatives. Retreat visitors to Pearlstone enjoy tours and can sign-up for fun educational experiences such as our Campus Quest program (the rain gardens are the first stop on this adventure!). Thank you for being part of this journey toward a more sustainable future at Pearlstone.

The post Waterway Restoration Initiative  appeared first on Adamah.

The BESN is a newly founded collection of Jewish organizations and individuals in the area, working to promote a more sustainable Jewish Baltimore. Through our collaborative work, we will increase awareness, appreciation and practices of sustainability throughout this community.

The BESN will pursue this goal through education, advocacy and community events. This network is pioneered by Mark Smolarz and The Associated, and is co-chaired by Mark, Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin (a native Baltimorean and longtime local environmental activist) and myself.  

The BESN is not the only new climate initiative in the Baltimore Jewish community, however. My role is inaugural, with the intention of further engaging the community in climate action. One of the primary ways in which this is done is through Adamah’s national Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition. Open to any Jewish nonprofit at no cost, the Coalition (adamah.org/coalition) is made up of community organizations that recognize the existential threat and moral urgency of climate change. 

The Coalition works to strengthen climate actions within an organization, while the BESN works to promote community collaboration and external engagement. Any Jewish community organization in Baltimore is welcome to join both. Please reach out to besn@associated.org for more information.  

Sustainable Meal Gatherings in the Month of Tishri 

As we head into the Jewish year of 5786, we carry with us the hopes and goals of a new year. We engage in Teshuvah (repentance) and continue the work of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and Tikkun Adam (repairing the individual).

These are holistic initiatives, encompassing a wide variety of focuses.  At the core of Judaism is a deep respect for the creation that surrounds us. For ourselves (adam) and for our Earth (olam), we have the opportunity to connect these values with our other favorite holiday ritual – sharing meals.  

In this installment of the BESN blog, I have tips to meaningfully, beautifully, deliciously, and even cost-effectively observe sustainable chagim (holidays).

May we honor sustainability in this coming year, and may we as a people have far less environmental Teshuvah come 5787. 

For those of you who are going to be hosting meals for the holidays this next month, now is a great time to plan for ways to have your holiday table reflect your wishes for the new year.  Identifying the environment and our Earth as an aspiration early on in your planning will provide you with a variety of opportunities to make sustainable decisions.

For example, beautifying your table and caring for the Earth. By putting out reusable instead of single-use utensils, cups, tablecloths, and napkins, you are both practicing sustainability and beautifying your holiday table with a personal touch.

Although it may seem like an extra step for a gathering that is already chock full of steps, the touch of a unique and sustainable addition is sure to be a beautifully noticeable difference. 

Food Served 

There are a number of effective strategies to move toward a tasty, crowd-pleasing, sustainable menu. That being said, don’t fall into the trap of “all or nothing” and don’t make perfect the enemy of good.

Incremental changes make a difference, so just get started! One way is to keep your menu and switch over from industrial meat and dairy to local, regenerative options. If it is important for you to have meat as an option, focus on the how of the cow!

Factory farms often have negative effects on the climate and are sources of water and air pollution. There are ways to farm that are not nearly as detrimental to the climate, such as regenerative farming. 

Regenerative farming is a system of farming practices that increases biodiversity, enriches soils, and improves watersheds. Some fantastic regenerative agriculture options include: 

•  Hidden Waters Farm, Pikesville, Kosher meat options, dairy options, etc. (make sure to order ahead for kosher meat, you can either call, email, or stop in in person!) 

• Pearlstone CSA | Pearlstone CSA, Owings Mills or Reisterstown weekly pick-up | People. Planet. Purpose. (keep this in mind to join in the future for sustainable, local veggies!) 

• KOL Foods, Grow & Behold (National, shipped regenerative Kosher meat!) 

Even if meat is being served, the rest of the meal can still be plant-based. This way of eating focuses on foods primarily from plants. This includes not only fruits and vegetables, but also nuts, seeds, oils, whole grains, legumes and beans.

It doesn’t commit you to being vegetarian or vegan and never eating meat or dairy. Rather, it allows you to proportionately choose more of your foods from plant sources. Some holiday plant-based, vegetarian, and vegan recipes can be found here: 

Rainbow Challah|Challah |Holiday Recipes|Shamayim Cookbook|Plant Based Meal Guide|Reducetarian Foundation Recipes 

Note: Unlike most other climate actions, purchasing regeneratively farmed food will likely cost more and increase your food budget. However, if you purchase regenerative meat that costs twice as much, but you use 50% less meat in your recipes (replacing the other 50% with beans or another plant-based option, for example), then your expenses will remain the same, and you will have greatly improved the environmental impact of your meal. 

 Food Wasted 

We all know that pit in the stomach when good food gets thrown out. Successfully reducing food waste and feeding people, not the garbage pail, leads to a decrease in costs, and an increase in the joy of community members who benefit from the leftovers.

The EPA Food Recovery Hierarchy prioritizes actions that you can take to prevent and divert wasted food. The top levels of the hierarchy create the most benefits for the environment, society and the economy. 

The ripple effect of food waste starts long before anything is actually served. Preventing food waste from happening to begin with is one of the most impactful steps you can take, because it both limits the methane (a potent greenhouse gas) emitted from food present in landfills and prevents waste from the creation, packaging, transporting and storing of unused food in the first place.

There is also the bonus of saving money by buying less food and using your time and labor more efficiently. Food waste can be preemptively avoided by thinking through how much food you need to prepare and serve. By putting out only what’s needed, unopened/unserved food can be saved for another time, or donated. Programs like the “guest-imator” can help you calculate the right amount of food needed for the number of guests.  

Especially for communal meals, go into your gathering with a plan for excess food by managing serving sizes and having to-go containers for people to take home extra food that they might want. And, depending on the amount of food leftover (for example, a synagogue hosting a large meal), you can pack up and donate any untouched food to a local shelter or food pantry. 

With these tools in hand, you are bound to have fantastically sustainable holidays. Your actions make a difference, not just for you, but for your household, your community, the Jewish people, and the world as a whole.  

L’Shanah Tova, may we have peace on a healthy Earth. And go Ravens! 

Feel free to reach out to Sam and the BESN at besn@associated.org. For questions about the Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition, reach out to Sam at sam.sobel@adamah.org 

A special thank you to the Adamah Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition resource guides for providing the information about many of these resources. 

Article by Sam Sobel.

The post Committing to Sustainability is Crucial to Kicking Off the New Year appeared first on Adamah.

This would be a tough act to follow for anyone, but Pearlstone has built upon this legacy of giving in his own way, as part of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore. He’ll soon be kicking off his second year as the organization’s Annual Campaign chair, a position usually held for a single, one-year term.

“I never felt pressured or expected to continue my family’s legacy of leadership, but it was something I wanted to continue and that I felt like I was in a position to do,” Pearlstone said. “I want to help improve the Jewish community for everybody.”

Pearlstone, 49, lives in Pikesville with his wife, Karen, and their dog, Bentley. They belong to Beth Tfiloh Congregation, and have two adult sons.

Pearlstone has spent almost his entire life in Baltimore. Growing up, he wasn’t as religiously observant as he would later become, and had his bar mitzvah at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation. Pearlstone noted that as the Jewish community grew, it became more diverse and increased the need for collaboration amongst various denominations.

His first brush with Jewish philanthropy was not in Baltimore at all, but in Florida, where he lived for a few years, working with the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. Pearlstone lived there for nine years, and when he moved back to Baltimore, he got involved with The Associated almost immediately.

“It was a great way to continue the family legacy, but also to meet new people,” he recalled. “My two young kids were going to a new school. It was another way to connect with different people.”

Pearlstone was Chair of the Pearlstone board from 2014-2016 and has been on the Associated board since 2008. He’s held many different positions at the Federation, all leadership-related.

Article by Jillian Diamond.

The post P.J. Pearlstone Reflects on Four Generations of Philanthropy appeared first on Adamah.

This has led them to try and find creative ways to stay cool,

Jared Stein is a stewardship associate at Pearlstone, helping to tend the retreat center’s land full-time. His work differs from that of the volunteer farm stewards who also help out on the Pearlstone campus because he works to maintain some of its more permanent fixtures, such as its orchards, walking trails and the farm animals that live there.

But the heat has made work difficult for the volunteers that work the land.

“It depends on where you are. In some areas, there’s a breeze, and other places are basically humidity sinks,” Stein explained. “I work with animals, like the sheep and chickens, and the pasture is an especially hard place to be when it’s hot out. The heat really hits you from both sides.”

No matter how hot it is, though, the stewards at Pearlstone still have a responsibility to maintain the retreat’s campus. Another challenge has been trying to figure out ways to manage the heat while working.

Stein noted that staying hydrated has been crucial to his work. He and many of his fellow volunteers have been putting electrolyte tablets in their water, which provide extra hydration. All water contains a trace amount of electrolytes, which helps to push more water into the bloodstream.

Another major concern for Pearlstone volunteer workers is the welfare of the animals who live in its pastures. Stein said that they have taken extra measures to keep the animals cool so they don’t overheat, such as installing fans in the chicken coops and regularly changing their water.

Article by Jillian Diamond.

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