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Individual acts of
appreciation collectively make a big impact on our world. Each time you
make a conscious effort to talk about the environment with your children,
you are helping to create a family culture where nature and the
environment are valued. Talking about this in a Jewish context easily
incorporates Jewish into your day-to-day family life. This summer,
introduce one new ecological activity into your family's traditions. Here
are some ideas: 1. Go for a nature walk. Relax and take in the surroundings. Check out the offerings of the Massachusetts Audubon Society at www.massaudubon.org 2. Clean up your neighborhood. Put on gloves and take a trash bag, cleaning up the trash in your neighborhood as you walk around the block. Imagine that you are cleaning out the Garden of Eden! 3. Visit an organic farm in your area. The Natick Community Organic Farm at www.natickfarm.org offers hands-on experiences for children and families. Designate this month's tzedakah (literally "justice", commonly understood as "charity") money to organizations that protect nature. 4. Plant two trees; one in your garden for you and your children and one in Israel. As your tree grows here, your tree will be growing at the same time in a forest in Israel. www.jnf.org 5. Do you care about clean water for all? Check out the water level in Lake Kinneret (The Sea of Galilee) in real time: http: //my.ynet.co.il/pic/kineret/ynetnews.htm | ||||
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Tin Can Herb Pot - a
craft project by Amanda Formaro at www.kidsdomain.com.
A tin can herb pot is a craft project that not only recycles, but it
creates new life as well. Before beginning, go to your local library and
check out a book on simple container gardening or gardening with kids. Use
this opportunity to teach your children about growing plants, especially
edible plants. Keep them involved by having them take care of "their"
plant. Have them water their plant and show them how to check to see if
the soil is too dry or just right by gently touching the soil surface with
their finger. Your children can watch their plants grow and be proud that
they created the container that holds them. Materials: empty aluminum can, screwdriver and hammer, paint, acrylic sealer spray, matte finish, craft or popsicle stick, black sharpie marker, 5-10 small rocks, stones or pebbles, 1.5 cups potting soil, 4-inch potted herb plant, plastic plate, water 1. Wash an aluminum can. Sand off any rough edges. 2. Parents should poke holes in the bottom of the can. Use a hammer to tap the end of the screwdriver to make the holes. 3. Paint the can desired color, repeat coats if needed. 4. Decorate the can using paint and stickers. 5. Spray the outside of the completed can with acrylic sealer spray. Let dry. 6. Place enough rocks or pebbles in the bottom of the can to form a single layer. 7. Add enough potting soil to fill the can two- thirds full. 8. Remove potted herb from its container and transplant into the can. 9. Fill edges with remaining potting soil, gently pat down so that plant is firmly in the can but not compacted so much that it's too tight. 10. Place can on a plate (to catch any water drainage) and add some water to the newly planted herbs. 11. Decorate a craft stick and include the name of the herb on the stick. Use a Sharpie permanent marker. 12. Insert your plant marker into the soil, being careful not to crush any roots along the way. 13. Place your new garden in a sunny window and remember to water it! 14. Eat the herbs! Your kids will light up when they get to pinch off a basil leaf to add to your spaghetti sauce. | ||
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Make dinner fun with
our "tree" themed dinner. When shopping with your children, remember to
look for organic and natural options.
Macaroni and Trees (Serves 4) · 4 cups broccoli florettes (about 10 ounces), fresh or frozen · 8-oz. fusilli pasta (tri-color is fun) - try whole grain · 3 TB butter or mixture of 4 tsp butter and 4 tsp oil · 2 TB all-purpose flour · 2 cups milk (whole, skim or low-fat) · pinch cayenne pepper · freshly ground black pepper · 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (low- fat cheese can be used) Preheat the broiler. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli, return to a boil and cook, uncovered, until al dente, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the broccoli with a slotted spoon, leaving the water in the pot. Bring the reserved water to another boil, add the pasta and cook until just tender, about 10 minutes. Drain very well. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Add the milk, bring to a simmer and cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 4 minutes. Stir in the salt, cayenne and black pepper. Add two-thirds of the cheddar cheese and stir until melted. Remove from the heat. In 2-quart, ovenproof dish, combine the pasta with two- thirds of the cheese sauce. Add the broccoli to the remaining cheese sauce in the saucepan. Encircle the pasta with a border of the broccoli/cheese sauce and sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top. Broil for about 3 minutes or until the cheese begins to bubble and browns slightly. This recipe and others can be found at www.wholefoodsmarket.com. | ||
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A Place to
Share
by Mindee Meltzer As our children grow, one of the biggest challenges we face is taking time to enjoy the little things. As parents, we are always rushing from one activity to another. Last Wednesday was a typical morning in our house. I was rushing to make lunches and find my son's sneaker and my daughter's library book, while getting everyone to school on time. As I am rushing my daughter out of the house yelling, "Hurry, you are going to miss the bus," she bent down and seemed to freeze on the front step. Of course, that made me yell quicker and louder, "Hurry, hurry, I can't be late today." She looked up at me with tearful eyes that told me to put the backpack down and that I would be driving her to school. There was a beetle that had turned itself over and couldn't move. With a stick, we gently turned him right side up and watched with delight as he flew away. This spontaneous act is an important lesson about the value of God's creatures and has provided us with hours of valuable discussions about the environment. The tears went away in my daughter's eyes as she picked up her backpack and made it to the bus stop in time. But, the tears came to my eyes as I realized I almost missed this beautiful moment in time. | ||
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Kulanu CONNECTIONS
plans social opportunities for dynamic women living along the "495 belt"
who want to make connections and build relationships as part of the larger
Jewish community. Kulanu is a program of Jewish Family Service of
Metrowest. A special heartfelt thank you to Clare and Richard Lesser for
their caring support and commitment to young families in the Metrowest
Jewish community.
Add your name to the e-vite list or learn how to become involved: Natalie Robinson - nataliedrobinson@comcast.net 508-541-8895. Kimberly Cohen - kimberlycohen@comcast.net 508-928-1290. | ||
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Sign up today, there
are only 7 spots left! PJ Library is a part of Kulanu, (Hebrew for "all of
us") a program of Jewish Family Service of Metrowest. PJ Library is
available to families with young children in our area to help create
stronger Jewish homes and connect you to the Jewish community in your
area: Malka Young myoung@jfsmw.org
508-875-3100
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Where Does Food
Come From?
Dina Rosenfeld, Rina Lyampe (illustrator). Publisher: Hachai Publishing The heart of mastering the blessings on food is understanding the origin of each type of treat. This unique picture book details the growing and processing of bread, grape juice, baked goods, fruits vegetables and more! Now, toddlers can understand how familiar favorites appear on their plates . . . and who gets a "thank you!" Laminated interior pages. | ||
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Temple Beth
Torah
June 3 Maccabiah games 8:45-11:45 June 15 Ruach Shabbat 7:45-8:45 For more information contact Mindee Meltzer at mmeltzer@jfsmw. org. Temple Etz Chaim June 2 Tot Shabbat, 9:15-10:00 am June 15 Tot Shabbat, 6:45-7:30 pm For more information contact Kimberly Cohen- kimberlycohen@comcast.net. Kulanu Connections Thursday, June 21 - Girls Night Out 7:30 at Stone Forge in Foxboro Sunday, June 24 - Family Day 10:00 am at the Southwick Zoo in Mendon Tuesday, June 26 - Book Club 7:30 pm. Location TBA. The book this month is Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld. For more information contact Kimberly Cohen at kimberlycohen@comcast.net. | ||
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Jewish Family Service of Metrowest 475 Franklin Street Framingham, MA 01702 508-875-3100 www.jfsmw.org Strengthening Lives, Building Community JFS/MW is a non-profit agency providing social and community services throughout the life cycle for people of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds. Temple Etz Chaim 900 Washington Street Franklin, MA 02038 508-528-5337 www.temple-etzchaim.org Temple Beth Torah 2162 Washington Street Holliston, MA 01746 (508) 429-6268 www.bethtorah.org www.interfaithfamily.com May 22, 2007 issue includes articles on babies! Charles River Hadassah www.charlesriverhadassah.org MetroWest Jewish Day School 29 Upper Joclyn Avenue Framingham, MA 01701 508-620-5554 www.mwjds.org Metrowest JCC 29 Upper Joclyn Avenue Framingham, MA 01701 Phone: 508-879-3300 www.jcca.org/index.lasso | ||
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Jewish attitudes towards nature are based on the
belief that the universe is the work of the Creator and that love of God
includes love of all God's creations: trees, flowers, insects, animals and
humans. The idea that we are responsible for all of God's creatures began
in the Garden of Eden, when God showed Adam the trees and commanded Adam
to take care of nature. As Jews, we are not only commanded to protect the
world, we are also commanded to repair the world. Through acts of
Tikkun Olam, we make the world a better place for others. This is a
core value of Judaism: we are responsible to teach our children that each
one of us is commanded to take individual actions to take care of our
world.
Sincerely,
 Kim, Mindee and Malka Jewish Family Service of Metrowest email: myoung@jfsmw.org
phone: 508-875-3100
web: http://www.jfsmw.org |
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