In furtherance of its active participation in the GreenFaith Certification Program, which is part of the nation’s first interfaith environmental certification process for houses of worship, Temple Jeremiah has just completed its first “CSA” or Community-Supported Agriculture program, also known as a farm share program. More than 20 members joined either on a weekly or bi-weekly basis and enjoyed a share of organic produce directly from Primrose Valley Farm (www.primrosevalleyfarm.com), which is located just outside of Madison, Wisc. Primrose Valley Farm is a “tikkun olam” farm. Tikkun Olam means “to repair the world” in Hebrew.
Participants received the benefits of eating healthy and delicious, nutrient-filled fruits and vegetables ripened on the plant, while reducing their carbon footprint, supporting a cleaner environment, and supporting a local organic farm that not only talks about sustainability, but acts in furtherance of it.
“The farm share program with Primrose Valley was a huge success,” said Rabbi Emily E. Segal, Associate Rabbi at Temple Jeremiah, one of the leaders of the temple’s “green” efforts. “By participating in the farm share program, we continue to live out our ‘green’ values in everything we do – including in the food we eat.”
The GreenFaith program is designed to help churches, synagogues, and mosques earn recognition as environmental leaders by carrying out more than two dozen environmental activities over two years.
“This program is a challenging, important way for houses of worship to become environmental leaders,” said the Rev. Fletcher Harper, GreenFaith’s Executive Director. “As Temple Jeremiah goes through the program, their members will experience the transformation that comes from sharing a religious commitment to creation.”
About Temple Jeremiah
Temple Jeremiah is a Reform Jewish congregational family whose mission is to foster and invigorate a love for worship, study of Torah and acts of Tikkun Olam in a caring community that embraces diversity in its membership. It is dedicated to lifelong Jewish education, tzedakah, and social justice.
For more information about Temple Jeremiah, its GreenFaith initiative, or the farm share program, please contact Lia Lehrer, Membership and Communications Director, at 847.441.5760 or lia@templejeremiah.org.
