'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. 60'14a:7 4,z- ,,omE /*MAY FROm 1 HOME ,r73,Em Rt rael Ond 2©112 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.... 7,7 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 21