Specific Environmental Suggestions

This page maintains a list of ideas and suggestions by other Mosaic members concerning environmental education and awareness. These discussions have been collected from the Mosaic Discussion Group (MDG).

Jump to : Jewish Holidays, Donations, Community Service, and Education.

Jewish Holidays

Atlanta is volunteering with Trees of Atlanta, which is a non-profit organization who plants trees in poor neighborhoods. We do this every year and it is always a huge success.

Beth (11/15/99)


Dear MDG and Mosaic Activities Directors:

We at MOCA would like to offer a suggestion for a great Jewish and environmental event. Since Tu Bishvat falls on a Sunday in January this year, and since Tu Bishvat is the "Jewish Earth Day" or the Jewish "birthday of the trees", you may want to consider hosting an environmental event in honor of Tu Bishvat.

The South Florida Chapter, along with MOCA, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Dept. Of Environmental Resource Management, and the Jewish Volunteer Center, will be organizing an island cleanup and short Tu Bishvat seder and service. The word seder means "order", and there is a prescribed order to the service, for which there are even haggadot. Generally, it involves the serving of some simple nuts and dried fruits, along with wine or grape juice, but not a full meal.

By offering a free seder to members of the Jewish community who come out to help with an environmental project or cleanup, your Chapter could reach out to many members of the Jewish community, all at a cost of only $2 or $3 per person. If your Chapter can't afford this amount, financial support for such a project should be easy to come by in your community, or talk to us at MOCA for support.

Events such as this not only perform a mitzvah, but will generate exposure for your Chapter and introduce Mosaic to your Jewish community. Publicity, too, for such an event is easy! Contact local newspapers, both Jewish and non-Jewish, as well as radio and TV stations. Ask to have a reporter cover the event.

If you would like any further assistance on organizing an environmental event or any other charitable event through your Mosaic Chapter, please feel free to contact our office at any time.

Cordially,

Rick Dronsky, Executive Director, Mosaic Outdoor Clubs of America (11/15/99)
 
1-888-MOSAICS

Donations

Our club in Atlanta has thought of donating to some of the organizations here in GA, but there are so many and we haven't decided which ones yet. Any ideas?

Beth (9/1/99)


The Georgia Conservancy. My 6 year old edition of The Georgia Conservancy's Guide to the North Georgia Mountains (awesome book) lists membership for a nonprofit organization as $40.00.

Burton Manne (9/1/99)

Community Service

We're considering adopting a highway and getting involved with the local off-road bike club to maintain trails, etc.

Barb (9/1/99)

Education

Have you thought of nature hikes or hikes in endangered wild open spaces? I've been successfully leading that kind of hike for Sierra Club for at least 7 years now, and they have the added benefit of creating strong media interest (which the NYC MOSAIC could use at the moment). For example, I've led hikes through endangered wetlands (made the New York Times Sunday regional section compendium of "Interesting Things to Do on The Weekend") hikes up Catskill peaks which were threatened by ski area expansion and pure nature hikes in conjunction with a state park.

I plan on getting involved in bringing inner city kids on a nature hike next spring. MOSAIC might try leading these in conjunction with a local YM-YWHA or JCC (such as the 92nd Street Y or the West Side Y in NYC). I've noticed that the only hiking they offer is led by a member of Appalachian Mountain Club! You might even try to apply for UJA-Federation Funding for inner-city outings the possibilities are almost limitless. My great aunt (who owned and ran a wonderful girls overnight camp named Camp Severance in the Adirondacks for many years) and her husband did this many, many years ago in the NYC area, although they became discouraged when a cabin they built for the kids was burned to the ground under suspicious circumstances.

Donald Pachner (11/25/99)