'Growing' Awareness
Of Need For Trees
FREE Kosher
Lunch
One lucky winner will
receive one round trip
ticket to Israel
courtesy of El Al Airlines, the official airline of
the Walk For Israel.
Rank will
be conducted
the day of the walk and
announced the
same day. Most be present to win.
Come Celebrate
A grassroots group of Detroiters looks
to revitalize Arbor Day.
Shelli Liebman Dorfman
often-forgotten holiday and to link with
local and national companies and groups
to help plant trees.
n idea spurred a few months
"We reached out to organizations to sign
back with a simple query about a their names onto the idea, looking for their
date has become a plan to plant
support, not for funds': Drissman said.
30 trees in the city of Detroit.
"We were blown away by the tremendous
It began when a col-
response. We have Jews from all walks of
league in the Warren-
life joining with local Detroit groups to
based EcoGreen
promote trees:'
Ventures Inc. office,
Supporters include Kosher Michigan
managed by Ezra
and its director, Rabbi Jason Miller, and the
Drissman, asked 'When
Jewish Hour radio program.
is Arbor Day?'
"God is the creator of the world, and
After a look at the cal- the Jewish attitude toward the environ-
. endar revealed the holi-
ment must be seen in this framework, that
Ezra Drissman day will be celebrated on
humankind and Jews, in particular, should
April 27, the company's
recognize and serve God in whatever
staff created the Arbor Day Revitalization
ways He commands," said Rabbi Hershel
Project, with Drissman as its spokesman.
Finman, host of the Jewish Hour. "The issue
"It was started as a collabora-
of sustainability plays a crucial role in the
tion between EcoGreen's sites —
contemporary environmental discourse; its
GreenCareersGuide.com , Eco20-20.com
main aim being to create equal chances for
and GreatGreenldea.com — as an educa-
succeeding generations."
tional push to revitalize the importance of
Along with celebrity supporter, actor,
planting trees': said Drissman of Oak Park, activist Ed Begley Jr. and out-of-state back-
international spokesman for EcoGreen,
ers, other Michigan-based companies and
formed in 2007 to educate about the green
organizations have joined in.
industry.
Local supporters include TVI Supply,
The Arbor Day Revitalization Project
Technology Ventures, ARISE Detroit!,
teamed up with 25 national and Michigan- Maxi Container, Roi Chinn, POWERleap,
based companies and groups to spread the
MI Rain Barrel, Mower Gang, Eight Mile
word about the holiday and to help pro-
Boulevard Association, Zwick & Banyai
mote a tree-planting event in Detroit and
P.L.L.C, Future Oxygen, REB Research &
one in Los Angeles.
Consulting and the Macomb Chamber of
The local tree planting will take place
Commerce.
from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, April 29, in
"Support ranges, but all have signed
the Van Stueben community, a Detroit
onto the Arbor Day Revitalization Project
residential area. At least 50 volunteers are
goal: planting trees in the city of Detroit':
needed.
Drissman said.
The USDA/USFS Great Lakes
"Trees play a crucial role in protecting
Restoration Initiative EAB and the Osborn
the environment, but have a cash-positive
Neighborhood have funded the cost
result when it comes to sewer run-off. At
of planting the 30 trees — at $130 per
a time when our city is hurting, this event
full-grown tree — partnering with the
will help give back and show that the com-
Greening of Detroit.
munity is here to support.
"Our larger goal is to encourage people
"There are very few things better for
to plant a tree wherever they are, including
the environment than planting a tree','
at their homes': Drissman said.
Drissman said. ❑
Is
Contributing Writer
A
Jews And The Environment
The project may be new, but Arbor Day is
celebrating its 140th anniversary. It was
created in 1872 by Detroiter and University
of Michigan graduate J. Sterling Morton to
encourage individuals and groups to plant
and care for trees.
The Arbor Day Revitalization Project
was formed to bring awareness to this
The 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Sunday, April 29,
Arbor Day Revitalization Project
tree planting will be in the Van
Stueben residential community,
17246 Strasburg St., Detroit. To
volunteer or for details, email
info@arbordayrevitalizationproject.
com or call (586) 563-2000.
Volunteers must pre-register.
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10:00 am - Open to the Public
12:00 pm - Kosher Lunch (no charge)
1:00 pm - Walk Starts
Community-wide Event
Hosted by Temple Shir Shalom
(3999 Walnut Lake Rd., corner of
Orchard Lake and Walnut Lake Rd.)
Convenient nearby parking & shuttle service available.
Become a Fan!
WWW.WALKFORISRAEL.ORG
faceb(mk.
Silver Sponsor
Ford Motor Company Fund
Co-Sponsors-
Temple Shir Shalom
The Detroit Jewish News
jbrooksdesign, Inc.
Suretta & Alan Must
Jiffy Signs, Inc. & JS Printing
Fran Bell
Friends of Israel
Greater Detroit Chapter of Hadassah
Amy & Andre Douville
Akiva Hebrew Day School
Zionist Organization of America
Israel Ministry of Tourism
Scyllaweb
Michigan Israel Business Bridge
Congregation B'nai Moshe
Michigan Jewish Institute
Adat Shalom Synagogue
The Birmingham Temple
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
B'nai B'rith Youth Organization
Volunteers for Israel
Anti-Defamation League
StandWithUs—Michigan
B'nai Israel Synagogue
Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit
Friends of the Israel Defense Forces
Jewish Community
Relations Council
Michigan Board of Rabbis
Israel Emergency Alliance
National Council of Jewish Women
Temple Israel
As of 413-12. For latest sponsoisntp list ;s to....
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Temple Beth El
News:Talk 760 WJR
B'nai Writh Enlighten America
Congregation Beth Ahm
Hillel Day School of Metro Detroit
Congregation Beth Shalom
Jerusalem Pizza
Temple Kol Ami
Jewish Community Center of
Metro Detroit
Holocaust Memorial Center
State of Israel Bonds
Temple Beth Emeth
American Technion Society
Detroit Chapter
Hillel Foundation of Metro Detroit
are
April 19 • 2012
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