In this week’s Torah portion, Jethro notices his son-in-law Moses dealing with challenges in adjudicating all of the Israelites’ cases by himself. Ever the wise individual, Jethro advises Moses to create a council that will help balance the work for the community. After the council is in place and the society is self-governing, Jethro is able to go off to his own land.

As a fellow in the Jewish Outdoor, Food, Farming & Environmental Education (JOFEE) program, I can relate to this Torah portion. There are a great many challenges on the path to maintaining a healthier, more sustainable planet. Taking on a task of this proportion would be extremely challenging for one person, or even a small group of people to tackle on their own. Rather, we are tasked with creating positive change while educating the community and inspiring them to take similar steps. I am reminded of the Pirkei Avot quote “Do not separate yourself from the community.” We are all collectively responsible for the community, and as it grows, it becomes more and more important for us to work together as a cohesive unit.

At the OFJCC, we strive to build a strong and cohesive community focused on creating positive change in the environment and in society. One of the steps we are taking is to reduce waste by purchasing all compostable utensils throughout the organization, reducing water usage by installing aerators and planting gardens to help educate our youth. We also work to give back to those in need, completing service projects in many shapes and sizes (we had over 1,000 participants this year in an array of projects during our annual Mitzvah Day).

The organizational partnerships and personal relationships developed by participating in the JOFEE fellowship have opened my eyes to the many opportunities to do good and improve our community that are all around us every day. Prior to being a part of this cohort, this was not something that was often on my mind, but I am committed to bringing these ideals to the wider community through our collaborative partnership. To sum it all up, I would say: The only way we’re going to get it together, is together.

This month, kids on campus—whether in Club J, the OFJCC Leslie Family Preschool, or Meira Academy—are getting ready for Thanksgiving. We asked them what they were thankful for this year and they treated us to these gems:

Naama

“I am thankful for shelter.” -Adi S., 7

“My brother.” Naama M., 9

“I am thankful for my health.” -Jordan J., 10

Felicia and Anousha

“I am thankful for teachers and friends.” Greg P., 8

“My family.” Henry W., 7

Henry

“I am thankful for nature because it helps me breathe in fresh air.” -Ethan W., 7

“My family being there for me.” Gabrielle K., 14

“To live in Palo Alto.” Gaby S., 15

Whatever you are thankful for, we hope that you enjoy it to the fullest this season.

With reports of this past month being the hottest August since recordings began, it’s important to take a moment to think of how we are treating the environment and the world around us.

There is a story that comes from the Mishnah, part of the Hebrew oral Torah. There is a man sitting on his own land throwing rocks onto public ground. A pious scholar walks by and says, “Fool, why do you throw rocks from land that is not your land into your own land?” The guy laughs at him and says, “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” A few days later, he has to go on to the public land and he trips onto his own rocks. He says, “How did the pious scholar know?”

Basically, your own property can come and go, but public land is yours. You own it. It is yours permanently so we have a duty to take care of it. We all have a part in maintaining what is collectively ours.

This summer, I spent three weeks at a JOFEE  (Jewish Outdoor Food and Environmental Education) Fellowship training. The experience was eye-opening.  It was a unique opportunity to connect to nature and the environment, gain deep perspective on the impact we have on earth and our responsibility to be good caretakers. Among many things, the JOFEE Fellowship taught me how to inspire others to ask questions by fostering curiosity in them.

You can tell someone they have to change their thinking, but you’re likely to be met with resistance. A much more effective strategy toward creating change is to show someone how their actions affect their surroundings and ignite that curiosity.

Five Simple Steps for A Healthier Earth

1. Use a reusable water bottle and send your kids to school with one.
2. Use the compost and recycle bins when you throw away your waste.
3. Be aware of where your food comes from and how the producers treat their employees and animals. Buy local.
4. Carpool or bike to work (even one day a week helps)
5. Spread awareness

When I returned from my JOFEE trip, I immediately spoke with coworkers at the OFJCC about taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint on campus as well. We have implemented campus-wide composting and recycling options, we use solar power and have just installed electric car charging stations in the parking garage on campus. I hope you will take steps where you work for a healthier environment.

When is a birdhouse more than just a birdhouse? When it’s a hands-on lesson in carpentry and a chance to do a mitzvah, a good deed! Watch as the Club J kids learn about the satisfaction of building a birdhouse with their own hands:

Carpentry is just one of many rewarding programs Club J students explore. Learn more at www.paloaltojcc.org/clubj or watch this video about what makes Club J so special.