Tikkun Olam - Temple Bnai Israel

Plastic Bags

2008-03-16T16:59:00.002-04:00

Statistics about Plastic Shopping Bags

The Greening Committee will be holding a plastic bags recycling event at the Temple on May 11th. More on that to come. But for information on why this is an important issue, Janet Robertson has compiled this information sheet.

From the website: www.reusablebags.com where there is a cool counter showing the number of bags consumed so far this year. It’s surprising how fast the counter moves!

How many plastic bags are out there?

Every year the people of the world use 500,000,000,000 (500 billion) bags. That is nearly 1 million per minute! Of all those bags, 4/5 (or 400,000,000,000) are not recycled. If they were put end to end, those 400,000,000,000 bags would go around the earth 63 times.

In the U.S., we use 100 billion bags and it takes 12 million barrels of oil to make them. With the oil it takes to make 14 bags, you can drive a car 1 mile. The average American family accumulated 60 plastic bags after only 4 trips to the grocery store. Other stores like Walmart and Home Depot use the same kinds of bags.

Why are plastic shopping bags so bad?

1. Very few are recycled. They end up polluting our environment, making an unsightly mess and endangering wildlife.

2. They do not biodegrade. Each bag can last up to 1000 years.

3. They endanger animal species. More than 100,000 marine animals die each year when they mistake the plastic bags for food and eat them.

Is this a problem in other parts of the world?

YES. Windblown bags in Africa are trapped in the brush. People have begun trying to harvest this trash and use the bags to weave hats and other items. It is estimated that one group of people are harvesting 30,000 plastic bags each month that have been caught in the brush. Taiwan has banned plastic shopping bags in its country.

Ireland was using about 1.2 billion bags each year, which is about 316 per person. So they started to tax plastic bags (called it the PlasTax). If you want a bag in Ireland when you are shopping, the store clerk adds 15 cents to your order. This tax has reduced the use of plastic bags by 90%!

Is paper better than plastic?

YES and NO

Yes, because paper is biodegradable and will eventually break down.

NO, because it actually take more oil to fuel all the processes needed to make a paper bag than a plastic one. Also, paper is made from wood pulp, which means trees have to be cut down to make paper bags. Trees are very important for cleaning the air of pollutants like carbon and for producing oxygen.

What’s the answer to this problem?

1. Recycle the bags you have or find. Plastic shopping bags can be turned into milk jugs, decking materials and other products.

2. Take reusable bags with you shopping. Keep them in the car so they are always handy and say “no” to more plastic shopping bags.

Tikkun Olam is Back.

2008-03-04T20:26:00.002-05:00

It has been a long time since I updated this blog. The new Tikkun Olam chair is Ellen Goldberg. She'll be adding to the blog now too. Here is her entry from this month's Bulletin.

TIKKUN OLAM
In Hebrew, tikkun olam means, “repairing the world or perfecting the world.” Through this still small but hopefully growing committee, we can help “repair” the community in which we live.

How can I help, you ask? It really is very easy.

The fourth Sunday of every month, you can help make sandwiches at the Soup
Kitchen in Willimantic. We meet at 10:00 and it takes about 45 minutes. OR, come
at 11:30 and help distribute the bag lunches; this only lasts a half an hour.

Contribute monetarily to Mazon. Envelopes are at the Temple. (or check out the link to Mazon online to the right, ed.)

Contribute monetarily to the Covenant Soup Kitchen or WAIM in honor of Temple
Bnai Israel.

Do you have an idea for a fundraiser? Help out by forming a “one-time” committee
and help “repair the world.”

If you have any suggestions or comments feel free to contact me at
ellen.goldberg@sbcglobal.net or at 456-0457.
Peace,
Ellen

September Tikkun Olam Report

2007-09-23T19:51:00.000-04:00

Darfur

2007-06-05T20:02:00.000-04:00

Darfur

The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation is participating in the Save Darfur Coalition effort to stop the atrocities and impoverishment in the Darfur region of Sudan. JRF is a member of the coalition and is encouraging member congregations to show strong participation in this effort through tzedakah relief efforts and organizing regionally to aid this effort.

Please attend the Darfur Awareness service on June 24th at the Temple.

To learn more about the crisis in Darfur and ways that you can help check out the JRF site at http://www2.jrf.org/to/darfur.php
or the Save Darfur link on the right side of this blog.

Save The Date

2007-04-20T21:43:00.000-04:00

Save Darfur
June 24^th

7:00 p.m.

Temple Bnai Israel

Since February 2003, the Sudanese government’s genocidal campaign in Darfur has claimed over 400,000 lives and driven two million people from their homes. Communities of faith are mobilizing to stop the genocide in Darfur because we know that “never again” must not be an empty slogan, and that there is much more the United States can do to save Darfur.

Please join us on June 24^th at 7:00 p.m. for an event to raise awareness in the Windham and Mansfield communities about Darfur.

Praying that peace, protection, and mercy prevail in Sudan.

Omer and Sustainability

2007-04-20T21:34:00.000-04:00

The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation Website features a series of teachings for Omer on the theme this year is on sustainability (balancing environmental, social, economic and spiritual life in our congregations and larger communities).

Rabbis, Hazzanim (cantors), Educators and members of JRF congregations comment on classic Jewish texts in the light of the sustainability work being done in their congregations.

Some of the topics are:

· Omer Teaching: Project New Leaves by Derek Rosenbaum

· Omer Teaching: Uniting Power of Environmentalism by Rabbi Larry Troster

· Omer Teaching: Tikkun Olam and Food by Dr. David Teutsch

· Omer Teaching: Shawn Zevit on Ecological Sustainability and Jewish Civilization

· "In the Valley" by Rabbi Shawn Zevit

To sign up to have these teachings delivered to your email go to:

http://www4.jrf.org/omer-study-sign-up

Or simply visit their website at www4.jrf.org

Sandwiches in April and May

2007-04-20T21:22:00.000-04:00

The fourth Sunday of the month is sandwich day at the Soup Kitchen. 10:00 a.m. on April 22nd May 27th at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Valley Street. Join the regulars for a fun time making sandwiches and chatting. It only takes about 30 - 45 minutes. Call Ellen or Eric Goldberg if you have any questions at 456-0457.

Sandwiches in March

2007-03-18T16:59:00.000-04:00

Remember that the fourth Sunday of the month is sandwich day at the Soup Kitchen. 10:00 a.m. on March 25th at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Valley Street. Join the regulars for a fun time making sandwiches and chatting. It only takes about 30 - 45 minutes. The Goldbergs will be out of town so if you have any questions give Bruce or Sharon Brettschneider a call at 228-9586.

I'm not sure why but it seemed that we had a larger crowd than ever the last couple of Sundays. Unfortunately the need continues to be great in Willimantic.

Darfur Clothing Drive a Success

2007-03-18T16:21:00.000-04:00

Thank you to all who contributed clothes, blankets and money to the Darfur drive on Purim. We donated enough to fill Bruce's fairly large pick up - including several bags behind the driver and passenger seat! We delivered the clothes to Brooklyn and met the two organizers of this tremendous effort. They are shipping containers of clothes to Chad and a representative is going over to manage the political and logistical task of getting the clothes and blankets to the camps. They were very grateful to "their friends in Connecticut" for everything. They were explaining to us that other groups have been taking on the task of getting food and medicine to the refugees but not clothing. They are hoping to fill this need as most escaped with only the clothes they were wearing. Some have no clothes at all! Thank you for your generosity.

If you would like to learn additional ways of helping with the situation in Darfur, please see the link on the right hand side of the page. The JRF is very active in this area. April 23 - 30th are Global Days for Darfur. To find a way to participate go to: http://www.savedarfur.org/page/content/globaldays/

Clothing for Darfur

2007-02-14T20:19:00.000-05:00

I have been contacted by a representative of the New York Association of Darfur People, operating under the auspices of Darfur Peace and Development.

They are looking for donations of clothing and blankets for Darfur refugees. According to him the refugees in Chad and IDPs in Darfur have little in the way of clothing having fled with just the clothes they were wearing. The nights are cold and winds harsh. Blankets are especially needed. Clothes, especially for women and children should be washable - windbreakers, sleepwear, etc. They aren't looking for clothes for the extreme cold of Connecticut. They will also be asking for cash contributions to help with the shipping costs to get it to Chad. If you have clothes and blankets to contribute or would like to work on this project, please contact me.
As he said in his email " We can't address their deepest suffering or deprivation, but we can at least keep them warm."

February Sandwich Making

2007-02-14T19:55:00.000-05:00

Join us on February 25th, 10 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Valley Street for this month's sandwich making. Join the regulars, for a quite pleasant time making sandwiches and chatting. It only takes about 1/2 hour and no experience is necessary. How efficient can you be getting a sandwich in a baggie? Come by and find out.

December Sandwich Making

2006-12-17T17:46:00.000-05:00

This month's sandwich making at the Covenant Soup Kitchen is Sunday, December 24th at 10 a.m. Join us at the Saint Paul's Episcopal Church on Valley Street in Willimantic. It only takes about 1/2 hour and it's a nice time, with nice people, for a good cause. If you have any questions, call Ellen or Eric Goldberg at 456-0457.

Please make a special effort to come. Many of the sandwich regulars will be in Israel.

Sunday Sandwich Making

2006-11-19T18:32:00.000-05:00

This month's sandwich making at the Covenant Soup Kitchen is Sunday, November 26th at 10 a.m. Join us at the Saint Paul's Episcopal Church on Valley Street in Willimantic. It only takes about 1/2 hour and it's a nice time, with nice people, for a good cause. If you have any questions, call Ellen or Eric Goldberg at 456-0457.

Food Needed for Walk For Warmth

2006-11-02T19:15:00.000-05:00

WAIM has sent out a request for food for the walkers at the annual Walk for Warmth on November 19th. I've listed the food items they need below. There will be approximately 300 walkers so please help out if you can. However, it is more important that you support the fuel bank by walking or pledging money.

You may drop the food off at the First Congregational Church on Valley Street the day of the walk - about noon. WAIM needs to know ahead of time so please drop me an email (sharonbrettsch@hotmail.com) or you can call or email Evelyn Solla directly at:455-7270, x12 or assistdir@waimct.org and let one of us know what you'd be willing to bring.

If you wish to bring in something other than what is listed you may do so. This list is just a suggestion. As always, thank you for your generosity.

Vegetables platter w/ dip
Cheese & Crackers
Bag or basket of Apples
Finger sandwiches:
Tuna, peanut butter, egg salad
Sweet Bread such as:
Banana, cranberry, cinnamon & raisin, pumpkin, etc.
Cookies & sweets
Chocolate chip, oatmeal, brownies, etc
Potato Chips & dip, pretzels, tortilla chips & salsa dip, etc
Apple cider, water and juice

Sunday Sandwich Making

2006-10-17T20:17:00.000-04:00

This month's sandwich making at the Covenant Soup Kitchen is Sunday, October 22nd at 10 a.m. Join us at the Saint Paul's Episcopal Church on Valley Street in Willimantic. It only takes about 1/2 hour and it's a nice time, with nice people, for a good cause.

Annual Walk for Warmth

2006-09-30T16:15:00.000-04:00

The 2006 Walk For Warmth will be held Sunday, November 19th at First Congregational Church, 199 Valley Street, Willimantic. The interfaith Thanksgiving Service will begin at 1:30. The walk will start immediately after the service.

The Walk raises funds to support WAIM's energy assistance program. This program helps those in need with heating bills. WAIM is asking for extra support this year. In the first three months of their fiscal year they have already distributed $15,951 in energy assistance. Last year at this time they had only distributed $2,600 and $43,588 for the whole year. Families that lose electric, gas or oil service are in danger of losing custody of their children and the inability to pay utility bills is a leading cause of homelessness in our area.

I will make pledge envelopes available at the Temple Office. Walk as an individual or a team or support other walkers from the Temple. Bruce and I, as well as many from the Temple, walk each year so if you'd like to support our "team" send a donation to me or the Temple. Checks may be made out to WAIM Energy Fund.

A Light Among Nations

2006-09-25T21:18:00.000-04:00

In response to Rav Jeremy's message on the second day of Rosh Hashanah I've created a link over on the right to the Coalition on the Environment in Jewish Life. If you've lost the flyer to order the energy efficient light bulbs you find the information here. But spend some time on the website. To quote from their About Us page "Since its founding in 1993, COEJL has helped tens of thousands of Jews make a connection between Judaism and the environment." This site has resources on many ways that Temple Bnai Israel could become more involved in environmental issues. And if you interested in these you can sign up for their E-newsletter.

But let's start with ordering energy efficient light bulbs. For a downloadable order form:
http://www.coejl.org/climatechange/cc_action.php

Sharon

Welcome

2006-09-25T20:31:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Temple Bnai Israel Tikkun Olam blog. I will post news items related to social and economic justice for our community. If you'd like to contribute, let me know and I'll sign you up as a contributor.

Sharon B

Tikkun Olam - Temple Bnai Israel

Plastic Bags

Tikkun Olam is Back.

September Tikkun Olam Report

Darfur

Save The Date

Save DarfurJune 24th

7:00 p.m.

Omer and Sustainability

Sandwiches in April and May

Sandwiches in March

Darfur Clothing Drive a Success

Clothing for Darfur

February Sandwich Making

December Sandwich Making

Sunday Sandwich Making

Food Needed for Walk For Warmth

Sunday Sandwich Making

Annual Walk for Warmth

A Light Among Nations

Welcome

Save Darfur
June 24^th