Special Recent Posts
L'dor Va'dor: Important Hazon Seal News for Elul
September 13th, 2019
Dear Hazon Seal sites, This month of Elul, as you reflect back, wrestle with personal and communal accounting, and contemplate the future, Hazon is here to support your personal and communal goals for environmental teshuva. What is teshuva? What is environmental teshuva?? All[...]
Opening my Eyes, Ears, and Lungs: Architecture Walk 2019
September 11th, 2019
We all know that every step we take can be important - but what about what we step on? What about what we step near? A few weeks ago, I learned that everything matters. Really - from whether the concrete that[...]
Hakhel Blog: Leah Palmer
September 11th, 2019
Several years ago, I was in shul on the morning of Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and the Rabbi stood up to speak. They opened with: "What is the difference between the Jewish New Year on Rosh Hashanah, and[...]
#EnvironmentalTeshuva
September 5th, 2019
Thursday, September 5, 2019 | 5th Elul 5779 Dear All, Sadly I wasn’t at the New York Ride last weekend – because we didn’t do one this year. But I send love and gratitude to anyone who ever participated in the Ride, or led the Ride, or[...]
We Are the Weather: A Year of Environmental Teshuva
August 29th, 2019
ראש חודש אלול תשע״ט -------- Rosh Chodesh Elul 5779, August 29th, 2019 Dear Rabbis and Clergy, I hope that you have now received a pre-publication copy of Jonathan Safran Foer’s We Are the Weather: Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast. I’m writing to[...]
A Year of Environmental Teshuva
August 29th, 2019
ראש חודש אלול תשע״ט -------- Rosh Chodesh Elul 5779, August 29th, 2019 Dear Rabbis and Clergy, Hazon is entering into a year of Environmental Teshuva. The backdrop is that: We really are in a climate crisis, and this year, and even this[...]
Rosh HaShanah for Animals by Rabbi Aaron Philmus
August 29th, 2019
Rosh Chodesh Elul, 5779 By Rabbi Aaron Philmus Temple Torat Yisrael, Rhode Island Sheep, goats, cows, camels and donkeys… Domesticated animals get almost as much air-time in the Torah as people do, yet we so rarely reflect on our relationship with them. We[...]
Inner and Outer Climate Change by Rabbi Robin Damsky
August 29th, 2019
Earth Etudes 2019 Rosh Chodesh Elul, 5779 By Rabbi Robin Damsky inthegardens.org Durham, NC It’s been a year of change. Not just a move, but a move to a new climate zone and a very new culture. I moved from outside Chicago to Durham, NC[...]
Getting in Sync with the Treasure of Elul by Rabbi Ora Weiss
August 29th, 2019
Rosh Chodesh Elul, 5779 By Rabbi Ora Weiss Restorative Judaism Boston, MA One of the great gifts of Judaism is its exquisite ability to teach us to tune in and use the energy of each month. The energy of Elul offers us unique support.[...]
A Year of Environmental Teshuva
August 29th, 2019
ראש חודש אלול תשע״ט -------- Rosh Chodesh Elul 5779, August 29th, 2019 Dear Rabbinical Council Members, Hazon is entering into a year of Environmental Teshuva. The backdrop is that: We really are in a climate crisis, and this year, and even this[...]
Gratitude... and getting ready...
August 26th, 2019
Friday, August 23, 2019 | 22 Av 5779Dear All,It’s summertime. This email is full of gratitude and the inspiration to strive to do good in the world.Years ago I learned from Anna Hanau this line from one of her teachers[...]
Eikev and the Seven Species | D'varim HaMakom: The JOFEE Fellows Blog
August 22nd, 2019
by Sarah Rockford, JOFEE Fellow Cohort 4, Maine Jewish Food Network at Colby College Center for Small Town Jewish Life – Waterville, ME Parshat Eikev Fourteen years ago I read from parshat Eikev as a bat mitzvah. As I stood on the bimah and chanted[...]
Summer Feature - Teva Educators: Where Are They Now?
August 13th, 2019
As we begin approaching Teva’s 25th Anniversary, we will be spending the summer months featuring former Teva Educators who were once Teva students. They are from different Teva seasons and have different stories, experiences and memories. Enjoy the walk down[...]
Hazon Detroit: Food Festival This Sunday!
August 12th, 2019
Dear Friends, This Sunday, we will gather as a Jewish community for the 4th Annual Hazon Michigan Jewish Food Festival – the largest event annually in the Michigan Jewish community. This event, which takes place at Eastern Market in Detroit from[...]
Endings and beginnings
August 8th, 2019
Significant staff changes at Hazon... Thursday, August 8, 2019 | 6 Av 5779 Dear All, In the Torah, this is an end, and then a beginning. We’re starting to read the book of Devarim. It’s the last book of the Torah, and a pivot which[...]
Summer Feature - Teva Educators: Where Are They Now?
August 2nd, 2019
As we begin approaching Teva’s 25th Anniversary, we will be spending the summer months featuring former Teva Educators who were once Teva students. They are from different Teva seasons and have different stories, experiences and memories. Enjoy the walk down[...]
Recipe: Apple Honey Bundt Cake
July 29th, 2019
Want a bigger taste? Join us at the Rosh Hashanah Retreat! Apple Honey Bundt Cake This recipe & photo come from Allrecipes.com Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 55 minutes Total time: 1 hour and 15 minutes Servings: 12 pieces Ingredients 1 cup white sugar 1 cup vegetable[...]
Philip Roth’s Table & the Great Crash of 1987
July 25th, 2019
Thursday, July 25, 2019 | 21st Tammuz, 5779 Dear All, Well: it was a funny week. On Shabbat I discovered my bike had been nicked, overnight. This was my fourth or fifth stolen, over the years, in this otherwise law-abiding city. Then that evening it[...]
Sustainable Vacation Tips
July 23rd, 2019
by Ariel Marantz and Rebecca Silver Summer is vacation time! Here are some tips to think about when planning your next vacation. Traveling: Are there ways that you can travel without flying? Try to use public transportation, including buses or trains, as[...]
Blow that Shofar: Gearing up Towards the High Holidays
July 23rd, 2019
With the High Holiday around the corner, we want to make sure you are also geared up and ready for a meaningful and sustainable Jewish New Year. Once again, we bring you a well-curated bouquet of resources and calls for[...]
Help Us Win Support for Farm to School in Congress
July 19th, 2019
Nine years have passed since the USDA Farm to School Grant Program was successfully launched in 2010, and school food service providers still find it tough to access locally grown foods. Despite increased connectivity to farmers, logistical and cost hurdles[...]
Hakhel Spotlight: Zooz, Melbourne
July 18th, 2019
Zooz is a community in Melbourne, Australia which is run by for and young Jewish adults, aiming to provide these individuals with a framework for meaningful engagement with Judaism, Israel, and the wider community. Zooz members meet weekly on Wednesday nights[...]
Summer Feature - Teva Educators: Where Are They Now?
July 17th, 2019
As we begin approaching Teva’s 25th Anniversary, we will be spending the summer months featuring former Teva Educators who were once Teva students. They are from different Teva seasons and have different stories, experiences and memories. Enjoy the walk down[...]
It's time to Slow Down our Fast Fashion
July 16th, 2019
We are in an era of “fast fashion”, defined as “inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends” (Waste Advantage Magazine). What effect does buying and quickly discarding apparel have on our Earth? Hold onto[...]
Summer and wilderness and complaining
July 11th, 2019
Thursday, July 11, 2019 | 8th Tammuz, 5779 Dear All, In this week’s parsha, the children of Israel are in the wilderness of Tzin. A small smile arises as I read it because it’s not just a line in the Torah; it’s also[...]
Summer Feature - Teva Educators: Where Are They Now?
July 11th, 2019
As we begin approaching Teva’s 25th Anniversary, we will be spending the summer months featuring former Teva Educators who were once Teva students. They are from different Teva seasons and have different stories, experiences and memories. Enjoy the walk down[...]
Hazon Seal @ Chicago: Training Day
July 9th, 2019
The Hazon Seal of Sustainability cohort in Chicago held an in-person training day on June 30th, 2019 - and boy it was a good one! Shout out to our awesome cohort members who made this a priority and came to learn:[...]
Summer Feature - Teva Educators: "Where are they now?"
July 5th, 2019
As we begin approaching Teva’s 25th Anniversary, we will be spending the summer months featuring former Teva Educators who were once Teva students. They are from different Teva seasons and have different stories, experiences and memories. Enjoy the walk down[...]
Hazon Seal Spotlight: Movie Series, Sustainable Kiddush and More!
July 2nd, 2019
Woodstock Jewish Congregation (NY) By Gail Albert Please see below for an article about the Woodstock Jewish Congregation movie series and other sustainable initiatives. This is a prominent example that no matter where you on your sustainability journey - the Hazon Seal[...]
Harvesting and Baking our Heritage | D'varim HaMakom: The JOFEE Fellows Blog
June 28th, 2019
by Hannah Fine - Hazon Detroit Parshat Shelach In parshat Shelach, Moses sent twelve spies to scout out the land of Canaan and report back to the Israelites. All of the spies returned with the same objective report. It was a land[...]
New Jewish spaces, community, and the power of colocation
June 27th, 2019
by Nigel Savage Thursday, June 27, 2019 | 24th Sivan, 5779 If you’re involved in leading a Jewish institution do please read this… Dear All, Hazon is moving offices today. This marks at least the temporary end of Makom Hadash, our shared office space, in[...]
Green Teams, Daylight Hour and Hazon Seal Happenings
June 27th, 2019
Dear Hazon Seal Sites, We hope all is well! Here are some announcements that we believe you’ll find helpful and interesting. Also, please see below to get inspired by a new community spotlight! Shabbat Shalom, Merav, Ariel, and our new summer intern Rebecca! DAYLIGHT[...]
June Feature - Teva Educators: "Where Are They Now?"
June 24th, 2019
As we begin approaching Teva’s 25th Anniversary, we will be spending the month of June featuring former Teva Educators who were once Teva students. They are from different Teva seasons and have different stories, experiences and memories. Enjoy the walk[...]
Recipe: Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Waffles
June 19th, 2019
Want a bigger taste? Join us this summer at the Hazon Food Conference! Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Waffles This recipe & photo come from The Minimalist Baker These vegan, gluten-free waffles have the crispy texture and sweet flavor of banana bread studded with chocolate[...]
Recipe: Kale Falafel Hummus Wraps
June 19th, 2019
Want a bigger taste? Join us this summer at the Hazon Food Conference! Kale Falafel Hummus Wraps This recipe & photo come from The Minimalist Baker Made with kale and chickpeas, these gluten-free and vegan falafel are a healthier take on one of our[...]
Recipe: Eggplant Salad
June 19th, 2019
Want a bigger taste? Join us this summer at the Hazon Food Conference! Eggplant Salad By Susan Barocas This recipe comes from The Jewish Food Experience This dish is also known as eggplant caviar, Ensalada de Berenjena a la Grega (the Ladino name for the Greek version)[...]
The Bread of Healing
June 17th, 2019
Rabbi Nate DeGroot gave the following sermon at St. John’s Evangelist Temple of Truth in Detroit, MI on Sunday, June 16, 2019, right next to Oakland Avenue Urban Farm, one of Hazon Detroit's main partners. Jerry Hebron, Executive Director and[...]
A Real Question
June 14th, 2019
by Nigel Savage Thursday, June 13, 2019 | 10th Sivan 5779 Dear All, Do we strive to change the world through fear or through a positive vision? This is not a fake question, or the set-up for an obvious answer. I’m more confused by this question,[...]
June Feature - Teva Students to Teva Educators: Where Are They Now?
June 11th, 2019
As we begin approaching Teva's 25th Anniversary, we will be spending the month of June featuring former Teva Educators who were once Teva students. They are from different Teva seasons and have different stories, experiences and memories. Enjoy the walk[...]
Hakhel Blog: Aharon Ariel Lavi
June 7th, 2019
by Aharon Ariel Lavi This week we start reading Sefer Bamidbar, also known as "The Book of Numbers." A strange name for a book, is it not? It derives from the fact that the first portion of the book, as well[...]
