26 | JUNE 1 • 2023
F
ollowing a merger of
Jewish nonprofit envi-
ronmental organizations
Hazon and Pearlstone in late
2021, the new entity, Adamah
(and Adamah Detroit), are
working hard on new sum-
mer initiatives and beyond to
enrich Jewish life in Southeast
Michigan.
The first step toward increas-
ing Jewish engagement and
stewardship in environmental
action and education is the for-
mation of a new Adamah advi-
sory council. The 14-member
council plans to meet quarterly
and includes Metro Detroit
Jewish leaders with a long his-
tory in building communities,
environmental action and Jewish
education.
“I’m so excited to be part of
Adamah’s advisory council. My
roots are in Metro Detroit, but
my love of Judaism
really comes from
the time I spent
as an Adamah fel-
low, where I spent
three months with
other 20-some-
things growing
food and our souls,
” explains
council member Rabbi Blair
Nosanwisch of Adat Shalom
Synagogue. “I’ve always yearned
to bring the Earth-based Jewish
wisdom I learned there back to
my hometown.
”
Building on the 20-year his-
tory of both organizations, the
council will help advise strat-
egy, scope and partnerships as
Adamah looks to create a more
sustainable future.
“I’m excited to work with this
group of people who are bring-
ing diverse perspectives and
insights together,
”
says Adamah
Detroit Director
Amit Weitzer.
“Climate is really
the existential chal-
lenge of our time.
”
Weitzer says the
council is “truly representative”
of Metro Detroit Jewish life
and that engaging on climate
“Jewishly” while building Jewish
community is what spoke to
all 14 members. With what she
calls a “small, but mighty” staff
of four at Adamah, the council
will be critical to environmental
storytelling, ambassadorship and
building partnerships.
Still, it’s not just the advisory
council that Adamah is working
on. The Jewish organization
is planning a packed summer
agenda with environmental ini-
tiatives and programming for all
interests and ages that the Jewish
community can participate in.
Other recent programming
included the annual spring
Seal of Sustainability gathering
where Jewish organizations
workshopped and networked;
an Earth Day greening initia-
tive at Marjorie Street Garden
adjacent to the historic B’nai
David Cemetery in Detroit; and
a veggie oil- and solar-powered
Topsy-Turvy Bus visit at Hillel
Day School.
Here are the Adamah events
and programs you can partici-
pate in this summer.
FAMILY CANOE
ADVENTURE:
SUNDAY, JUNE 25
As the first event of Adamah
Detroit’s Summer Families Series
programs, which weave Jewish
wisdom into environmental
experiences, families can enjoy a
canoe day on the Huron River in
the Proud Lake Recreation Area.
The canoe adventure will con-
sist of enjoying the scenery and
sounds of nature on the water, as
well as an exploration of Jewish
values and their relationship to
water. Families will also have a
chance to learn songs while out
on the water. This program costs
$10 per family unit.
TOT SHABBAT IN NATURE:
SATURDAY, JULY 8
In partnership with JFamily,
Adamah Detroit’s second
Summer Families Series pro-
gram will include a special
Shabbat retreat for tots in nature.
It will take place at Heritage
Park in Farmington Hills.
The program features a gentle
OUR COMMUNITY
COURTESY OF ADAMAH
Adamah Detroit welcomes summer with
environmental programming for all ages.
Here Comes Summer
Rabbi Blair
Nosanwisch
ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Amit
Weitzer
This student gives
the thumbs-up to
the Topsy-Turvy Bus
at Hillel Day School.