Tags: Environment, Grantmaking, Innovation, Jewcology, Jewish Holidays, Networks, ROI Community, Service, Volunteerism, Young Jews Cross-posted from ROICommunity.org. Evonne Marzouk is the founder and Executive Director of Canfei Nesharim and of Jewcology.com.
Environmental challenges are among the most significant issues we face today, both as a Jewish community and as global citizens. Climate change, species extinction, desertification, toxic pollution and a host of other problems are depleting the resources available for future generations and harming our health in the present.
The Jewish tradition offers rich sources of wisdom that can help us build a more sustainable future, with a focus on appreciation, gratitude, long-term responsibility and proper use of resources. These teachings are being translated into programs, teachings and practical action steps by more than a dozen Jewish-environmental organizations around the world. Yet much more needs to be done to empower the Jewish community to become a positive and proactive partner in building a more sustainable world.
Now Jewcology.com, a unique new social media portal for Jewish environmentalism, is fostering a new level of engagement and collaboration for Jews who care about the environment. The site allows Jewish environmental activists (rabbis, educators, lay leaders, parents and Jewish community professionals) to find new ideas, build communities and identify global partners. Beyond activists, the site is also a one-stop shop for educators and rabbis seeking Jewish environmental resources for specific programs or sermons. As the Jewish-environmental movement expands, the site will support the entire Jewish community in learning and acting to safeguard the environment.
Jewcology was created by 19 young Jewish environmentalists from all around the world, who met through the ROI Community global network created by Jewish philanthropist Lynn Schusterman. They were able to realize the vision thanks to a $50,000 ROI Innovation Fund grant.
Launched on November 29, the site already has engaged more than 215 registered organizations and individuals, who have uploaded 450 Jewish-environmental resources, including synagogue projects, Jewish teachings, awareness activities and art projects for a wide range of audiences, from children to lay activists, rabbis and educators. The site has been featured in 12 local, national and international publications and already been visited by more than 3,100 users in 45 countries.
For Tu b’Shevat, the Jewcology team has developed a list of featured resources from Jewcology partner organizations and launched a new collaborative video created by Jewish environmentalists who are using Jewcology around the world.
From agriculture to water, exploring trees, food and recycling, and studying the environmental importance of Jewish holidays such as Sukkot and Passover, Jewcology offers the first comprehensive web-based address for the entire Jewish environmental community. You can explore the site and sign up to participate at www.jewcology.com.
Cross-posted from ROICommunity.org. Evonne Marzouk is the founder and Executive Director of Canfei Nesharim and of Jewcology.com.
Tags: Environment, Grantmaking, Innovation, Jewcology, Jewish Holidays, Networks, ROI Community, Service, Volunteerism, Young Jews