In many ways, we are slaves to a
food system that is not just and may
even use unfair, illegal or unethical
practices to create a product for our
grocery store shelves with the single
goal of turning a large profit.
The way in which we access food
in today’s world looks a lot different
than it did even 50 years ago. Local
family farms exist, but in smaller
numbers; animals are raised in
unimaginable conditions that don’t
resemble traditional farm habitats
at all; agricultural workers are
treated and paid unfairly; and food
is processed so far from its natural
form that it doesn’t resemble real
food any longer.
We worry about pesticides and
chemicals on a daily basis, and
we waste unbelievable amounts of
food, fuels and resources on pro-
duction. These are the things that
keep me awake at night as I worry
about which foods to offer my chil-
dren and in what state we are leav-
ing the planet for them.
There is no doubt that this mes-
sage is concerning, and I don’t
mean to be an alarmist, but I am
hopeful that the Jewish community
can work together to bring about
real change. The Passover season
is the perfect time to make a com-
mitment to learn more about food
justice and sustainability.
I recently had the opportunity to
travel to Connecticut for Hazon’s
yearly food conference held at the
Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat
Center. I traveled there with my
8-year-old son with a goal in mind
for both of us to learn more about
these issues through a Jewish lens.
We both came away from the con-
ference with a much better under-
standing of the ways in which we
can work toward real change.
Detroit is now the home of a
Hazon (Hazon means vision) sat-
ellite office, thanks in large part
to the generosity of the William
Davidson Foundation. Hazon is
committed to creating healthier
and more sustainable communities
in the Jewish world and beyond.
Hazon’s presence will help us all
understand the state of food justice
locally, and their leadership will

connect us to materials, resources
and hands-on opportunities for
learning. In addition, their con-
nections to local farms and food
projects in the city of Detroit, as
well as the larger Metro Detroit
community, will allow us to partici-
pate, volunteer and be a part of the
Jewish movement for change.

GETTING READY FOR
A JEWISH FOOD FESTIVAL
On Sunday, Aug. 28, Hazon Detroit
will present a Jewish Food Festival
to be held at Eastern Market. In the
planning stages, this event is con-
ceived as a community celebration
and a great opportunity for adults
and children of all ages to engage in
conversations about food produc-
tion, sustainability and issues spe-
cific to Jewish food consumption.
The Detroit Jewish Food Festival
will showcase many amazing local
projects, entrepreneurs, chefs and
activists who are committed to
issues surrounding food justice.
As we celebrate our physical free-
dom this Passover season and retell
the Exodus narrative, let us also
remember that there is still work to
be done. We have a holy obligation
to repair the world, to engage in
acts of tikkun olam and to leave the
planet in better condition for our
children.
As we take our first bite of mat-
zah on the seder night, let us take
a moment to reflect on where our
food comes from, how it was pro-
duced and the nutrients it provides.
Our journey as a Jewish people
continues and, as we look to a bet-
ter future, let us commit to better
practices when it comes to improv-
ing the health, accessibility and
sustainability of our food and our
planet. *

Rebecca Starr serves as an independent
educational consultant and an instructor for
Melton, works at Camp Ramah in Canada dur-
ing the summer and with the Detroit Ramah
Fellows Program throughout the year. Rebecca
is married to Rabbi Aaron Starr, spiritual leader
of Congregation Shaarey Zedek. The Starrs are
the proud parents of sons, Caleb and Ayal. This
essay first appeared in Federation’s myjewish-
detroit.com.

Buzz Wachler
and his entire staff Wish You a

Happy and Healthy Passover!

Specializing In:

&XVWRP'HVLJQ-HZHOU\5LQJVRI0DUULDJH

$SSUDLVDO6HUYLFH-HZHOU\5HSDLU(VWDWH-HZHOU\

-HZHOU\5HF\FOH)LQH&XVWRP-HZHOU\

Since 1922

248.540.4622

112 South Old Woodward, Birmingham, MI 48009

wachlerjewelers.com

000000

April 14 • 2016

49

