28 | SEPTEMBER 22 • 2022 
 
 
 
 

T

he Well, in collaboration 
with Hazon Detroit 
and Michigan Interfaith 
Power and Light (MIPL), host-
ed Shomrei Adamah: Facing 
the Climate Crisis through 
Dialogue and Action Together 
on Aug. 24. 
 Shomrei Adamah translates 
to “Guardians of the Earth.
” The 
principle of being guardians of 
the Earth is deeply entrenched 

in Jewish values. The event 
took place at Walking Lightly in 
Ferndale. 
 Rabbi Jeff Stombaugh, execu-
tive director of The Well, said, 
“What I love about this event is 
that it didn’t have to look this 
way. This was a real collabora-
tion of leveraging strengths and 
viewpoints of different organi-
zations to bring the values of 
Judaism and sustainability to 

life and down to earth. 
“On one hand,
” he continued, 
“this is a Hazon event that The 
Well was able to host space 
for. And, on the other hand — 
because of how The Well was 
able to host this event and col-
laborate to design the substance 
and flow for the event — it 
became something bigger and 
emblematic of how partnership 
can work.

“Not to be understated, it 
was because of listening to 
community lay leaders that 
this venue was discovered,
” he 
added. “This event was able to 
highlight a value-aligned local 
business, which I always think 
is a great way to make content 
feel real and extend a tangible 
way for participants to live out 
their values.
”
The Well was one of nine 
Michigan congregations (others 
were synagogues) selected by 
Hazon to facilitate the Shomrei 
Adamah learning and dialogue 
events. The Well, a Hazon 
Detroit Seal of Sustainability 
site, put the content together 
and facilitated the connection 
between Michigan Interfaith 
Power and Light (MIPL). 
 Erica Meyers, engagement 
and programming associate 
at The Well, said the choice of 
Walking Lightly for the Shomrei 
Adamah event was consistent 
with sustainability and foot-
print-consciousness. “We are 
leaving as minimal of a foot-
print as we can,
” she said.
Julia Cunnien, Seal of 
Sustainability program man-
ager for Hazon Detroit, said 

The Well and Hazon partner on 
event to address climate destabilization.

Guardians 
of the Earth

STORY AND PHOTOS BY YEVGENIYA GAZMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

OUR COMMUNITY

Emily Levine 
models her 
reusable cup.

Julia Cunnien 
and Erica Meyers

Event 
participants at 
Walking Lightly

