Upon creating the first human beings, God guided them around the Garden of  Eden, saying: “Look at my creations! See how beautiful and perfect they are! For your sake I created them all. Make sure you don’t ruin or devastate My world. Ifyou do, there will be no-one else to repair it.”  — Ecclesiastes Rabbah

Like many Jewish orgnizations in the Boulder area, Boulder Jewish News (all online!) is working toward a greener future.  This year, BJN is a non-profit sponsor of the upcoming Boulder 350: a Climate Solutions Symposium. Stop by the BJN table next Sunday to learn about ways the Jewish community is participating in tikkun olam – repairing the world.

One of the organizations committed to a more green future is Congregation Bonai Shalom, whose Green Movement is growing stronger each year. Bonai Shalom’s Social Action Committee, along with Lisa Bates, organizes local organic food distribution with Hazon’s Tuv Ha’Aretz program and community-supported agriculture (CSA).  The CSA is a partnership of Congregation Aish Kodesh, Congregation Bonai Shalom, Nevei Kodesh, Adventure Rabbi: Synagogue Without Walls, Pardes Levavot, and Congregation Har Hashem with Red Wagon Organic Farm.

Bonai Shalom also utilizes 100% wind powered energy, and is now a Zero Waste facility thanks to Jessica Hersch and all the office staff, kiddush volunteers and committed congregants.  Events at Bonai Shalom use compostable paper goods, cups and forks/knives and spoons and all the composting is picked up and taken away weekly.

The Boulder350 event is part of a “Global Work Party.” Global action on climate change starts locally! Rise to the challenge participating in the Boulder 350 Global Work Party on 10/10/10 (October 10, 2010), this year’s biggest day of international action to cut carbon emissions. The Boulder Global Work Party is one of over 5160 parties in 170+ countries that will be taking place on 10/10/10! Attend one of over 40 hands-on carbon-reduction workshops and discussions or join-in on a field trips or group work party to reduce Boulder’s carbon footprint and help address the serious problem of climate change we all face.

All members of the Boulder community, including kids, teens, students, and adults, are invited to participate.  The Global Work Party will take place at University of Colorado’s University Memorial Center (UMC) and at Naropa’s downtown Arapahoe Campus.

Schedule of Events:
Youth iMatter March (11:00 am to 11:30 am): Kids, teens, and adults marching from Naropa’s Arapahoe Campus to the UMC to demonstrate their support for climate action now.

Kick-Off Rally (11:30am to 12:45 pm at Fountains Plaza at the UMC): International live music and short, inspirational speeches from leading community climate change advocates, including Hunter Lovins of Natural Capitalism Solutions, Jonathan Koehn of the City of Boulder, Leslie Glustrom of Clean Energy Action, and youth from Earth Guardians.  Hosted by Waylon Lewis, of Elephant Journal.com and the Walk the Talk Show.

Workshops and Work Parties (9:00 am to 11:00 am and 1:00 pm to 5:30pm at the UMC and elsewhere): A variety of interactive opportunities to reduce carbon emissions in our own lives and in our community.  Workshops hosts include: City and County of Boulder, Center for Resource Conservation, Eco-Cycle, Natural Capitalism Inc., NOAA, RTD, Solar Gardens Institute, Earth Guardians, and many others! Most workshops are free of charge and all are open to the public.  Space is limited, so visit the website to register!

Carrotmob Celebration! (5:30 pm to 11:00pm at the St Julien Hotel): Join Boulder 350 for a Carrotmob Party to celebrate our day of successful workshops while supporting energy efficiency, waste reduction and local food at the St Julien Hotel in Boulder!  The St Julien will be investing 50% of the evening’s profits towards reducing their carbon footprint.  Come join to relax, celebrate, and support green consumer activism through Carrotmob.

Please visit the website at www.Boulder350.org to learn more and register for workshops.

Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai used to say, ‘If you have a sapling in your hand, and
someone should say to you that the Messiah has come, stay and complete the
planting, and then go to greet the Messiah.’ ” –Avot de Rabbi Nathan