Gendler Grapevine Project in the News
The Benefits of Making Field Building a Team Sport
“I realize that one of the first rules in communications is, ‘Don’t bury the lead!’ And yet, I feel compelled to begin with a bit of context before actualizing my metaphor…” (September, 2016)
From Seeds, A Vine
“Rabbi Everett Gendler arrived on campus in 1977 as part of a move by then-Headmaster Theodore Sizer to transform the structure of the school’s chaplaincy to a Catholic-Protestant-Jewish tri-ministry…” (Spring 2014)
Articles about Gendler Grapevine Project Initiatives
Outdoor Celebrations Connect Friends, Nature and Community
“With winter officially upon us, our time spent outdoors can dwindle. But at the J, where we know that good weather in Chicago is rare, we try and take advantage of every opportunity by hosting events outdoors in the spring, summer and fall, especially programs that enable families to come together, unplug and enjoy time in nature and serene settings.” (December 19, 2016)
The Earth Moved For Them – Did It Move For You?
“The Louisville Jewish Community Center has had a garden for years, but never the staff to make the most of it. For Michael Fraade, a member of the first cohort of Hazon’s JOFEE Fellowship who is spending the year working on the JCC’s environmental programming, that garden has the potential to change the ways in which members of the community understand the rich relationship between the earth and Judaism…” (August 28, 2016)
Wilderness Torah Opens Pathway for Jewish Educators
“From schlepping and setting up my tent, to fox walking barefoot in the forest, to playing games in nature with my tribe, to finding my sit spot in the woods and listening to the birds, to witnessing and creating fire, to sharing from the heart in tribe council, to singing, praying, offering blessings before eating delicious, organic meals, to gathering under the walnut tree to learn from mentors and masters, to using my hands in nature crafts, my four day journey in the Wilderness Torah Training institute, (WTTI) July 20-24, filled me with inspiration, wisdom, understanding and connection.” (August 25, 2016)
Fresh Stop Market planting new roots in East End neighborhood
“New Roots, Inc., a Louisville nonprofit focused on food access and food equality, is making a move some may find surprising: starting a Fresh Stop Market in the East End…” (August 4, 2016)
Gendler Grapevine Fresh Stop Market
“The Gendler Grapevine Fresh Stop Market at The J is an exciting new project that will address food justice and food insecurity in The J’s neighborhood. Fresh Stop Markets, run by New Roots, allow shareholders to sign up for a biweekly share of ten types of local, organic produce sourced from a network of over 50 Kentuckiana farms…”
Jewish volunteers spend Spring Break helping migrants at Sacred Heart shelter
“About 20 students from the Washington area traveled to the Rio Grande Valley for Spring Break, planning to spend the week volunteering — not partying on South Padre Island. Members of Temple Sinai in Washington, D.C., visited the Valley last year and witnessed the struggles of immigrants who illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border. About 20 returned for Spring Break 2016 to volunteer…” (March 28, 2016)
Volunteering: an act of kindness spread through all religions
“Juliet Pesner is not your typical spring breaker. Like many other spring visitors, the 17-year-old traveled hundreds of miles for a few days in the Valley, but unlike the vast majority, she came to offer a helpful hand at Sacred Heart Church’s humanitarian center…” (March 26, 2016)
Let ‘Em In
“Last Friday, Corine Dehabey, resettlement officer with Us Together, welcomed the 11th Syrian refugee family to arrive in Toledo, Ohio, through her HIAS-affiliated agency this year. When Us Together receives a call, Dehabey springs into action…” (November 25, 2015)
Agencies welcome Syrian refugees to U.S.
“Last Friday, Corine Dehabey, resettlement officer with Us Together, welcomed the 11th Syrian refugee family to arrive in Toledo, Ohio, through her HIAS-affiliated agency this year. When Us Together receives a call, Dehabey springs into action…” (November 24, 2015)
Shir Tikvah Sustaining Congregation
“The Ner Tamid, or Eternal Light, shines brightly at the heart of Shir Tikvah Synagogue, and does so completely fueled by solar power as of 2014. A powerful example of the faith community’s dedication to performing tikkun olam, or repairing the world, the Ner Tamid is an everlasting example of fusing the values of a faith community with taking moral action to address climate change…”
New ‘Synagogue Outdoors’ grant brings BAJC outside
“The Brattleboro Area Jewish Community (BAJC) “Synagogue Outdoors” Project has won a $3,000 grant from the Gendler Grapevine Foundation for innovative work to connect community life with their 12 acres of land…” (August 26, 2015)
Hebrew Union College Going Green
“Liz Piper-Goldberg, fifth-year rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), has been passionate about the environment since grade school…” (August 20, 2014)
The HUC-JIR/New York Greening Initiative Receives Generous Grant from the Gendler Grapevine Project to Reimagine Campus’s Food System
“Thanks to a generous grant from the Gendler Grapevine Project, the New York campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) will lead an effort to go green by practicing and teaching environmental awareness to the next generation of rabbis, cantors, and educators…” (July 22, 2014)
One Garden, Many Harvests
“Seniors at the Boro Park Y just harvested their third crop of lettuce in the lobby! Everyone who comes into the Y is intrigued and excited by the new hydroponic garden. And the garden is growing more than produce – it is growing questions. ‘We had to ask a rabbi what blessing to say over it, because the lettuce is grown in water, not in the earth,’ reports Ellie Kastel, Director of the Y…” (June 18, 2014)
JTS Receives Gendler Grapevine Project Grant to Enhance Environmental Sustainability Programming
“The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) will fortify and advance its environmental sustainability initiatives with new support from the Gendler Grapevine Project, an initiative created to celebrate the ideals of Rabbi Everett Gendler, who was ordained at JTS in 1957. One of five seminaries to receive such a grant in 2014, JTS will build on efforts by its administration to advance sustainable operations and environmental education and awareness…” (Summer 2014)
Environmentalism is on the menu at JCC Camp Chi
“JCC Camp Chi will be serving up a new kind of environmentalism this summer, dramatically reducing the camp’s reliance on disposable plates, bowls, utensils, and cups, typically used 3-5 times each week for outdoor meals. Thanks to a generous grant from the Gendler Grapevine Project, campers will enjoy outdoor meals using only reusable tableware, and participate in a corresponding education program that will form the basis for new Jewish environmental programming at the camp…” (May, 2013)
JCC Camp Chi Going Green
“This summer we made a huge change to benefit the environment. Instead of using paper plates and plastic utensils when we ate outside, we used actual dishes and silverware…” (May, 2013)
Camp Solomon Schechter Applied for a Gendler Grapevine Project Grant
“Camp Solomon Schechter applied for a Gendler Grapevine Project grant with the goal of expanding its Teva Learning Center (TLC) activities by providing a solid, sustainable, organic agricultural curriculum. Camp Solomon Schechter completed this project by securing support from four different funding sources (including the Gendler Grapevine Project)…”
Sprout Lake Receives the Gendler Grapevine Environmental Grant!
“Camp Young Judaea Sprout Lake is thrilled to announce that we were selected to receive the Gendler Grapevine Grant. The Gendler Grapevine Grant was created in the name of Rabbi Everett Gendler who has been a leader in the Jewish ecological movement for more than fifty years…” (April, 2013)
Shalom Institute: Welcome Gendler Grapevine Fellow
“Thanks to a generous grant from the Gendler Grapevine Project, we are pleased to welcome Jonathan Strunin, our summer Gendler Grapevine Fellow…” (May, 2013)
Camp Shemesh project announcement
“As the school year comes to an end, here is a brief reflec- tion on several new collaborations. Thanks to the Camp Sh- emesh Gendler Grapevine grant, we were able to increase the participation in sustainability to include our Shabbat meals and some school activities…” (May, 2013)