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.

