Kol+HaLev-+All+Community+Program+6


 * OUTLINE OF ALL-COMMUNITY PROGRAM #6**
 * WRESTLING WITH THE IMPACT OF OUR ACTIONS ON THE ENVIRONMENT**
 * MAY 6 2007**

1) To understand that Judaism teaches that humans are the guardians rather than the masters of creation and as such are obliged to guard it from damage and destruction. 2) To demonstrate/ discuss practical ideas which exemplify the Jewish view that it is humanity’s responsibility to protect and preserve the environment. 3) To wrestle with some of the choices we make every day and think of how they effect the environment..
 * GOAL:** The goals of the program are for the participants
 * MATERIALS:** 50 copies of text for study, 50 copies of wrestling dilemmas, 50 copies of scavenger hunt questions (addendum 1), grocery bags for collecting things on scavenger hunt, recycled paper and pencils, granola for snack

. Estelle will introduce the program and its goals and an outline of the time frame. Participants will be divided into three/four teams (depending on numbers attending.) Team 1 will go with Rabbi Estelle and Deb to children’s classroom, Team 2 will go with Rabbi Steve to other classroom, Team 3 will be with Rabbi Jeff in main room, and if needed Team 4 will remain in main room with Beth FR. Each group leader will hand out copies of the text (leaders will have discussion questions to go along with text). In teams, discuss the texts with particular attention to what we can learn about the Jewish view of the environment. Each group will also be given a copy of the five “wrestling dilemmas” to discuss and “wrestle with”. Return to large room at 3 pm where the scavenger hunt sheets will be passed out and directions given. Teams will have the next hour to answer the questions, collect the materials, and do the exercises as outlined on the scavenger hunt sheet. Teams will return to the main room where their points for each of the activities/questions on the scavenger hunt will be added up and they will make presentations for any of the questions requiring presentations. Rabbi Steve will wrap up the program by reiterating our role and responsibility for taking care of the world.
 * TIME TABLE:**
 * 2:15****-** **2:30****: Introduction, break-up into teams**
 * 2:30****-** **3:00****: Text study and wrestling with the impact of our actions**
 * 3:00****-** **4:00** **Scavenger hunt**
 * 4:00-4:30** **Team presentations and SIYUM**
 * METHOD**:
 * 2:15-2:30 INTRODUCTION/ BREAK-UP INTO TEAMS**
 * 2:30-3:00****: TEXT STUDY**
 * 3:00-4:00****: SCAVENGER HUNT**
 * 4:00-4:30** **TEAM PRESENTAIONS AND SIYUM**

QUESTIONS FOR THE SCAVENGER HUNT (with answers) FOR MADRICHIM

1. Why was the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes originally established? (protect the Shaker Parklands from being turned into a freeway exit.)

2. What percentage of U.S. floors are covered by carpeting or rugs? (70%)

3. Why is it more sustainable to use carpet tiles, rather than wall-to-wall carpeting? (can replace individual squares as needed; tiles can be recycled.)

4. Name at least two advantages to installing a "green" roof of living plant material. (lower energy costs; extend the life of the roof; reduce speed of water runoff; reduce ambient temperature).

5. Green roofs can cool down an urban area by _ degrees F.

6. How many tons of glass, wood and metal were separated and recycled when the Nature Center renovated it's building? (8 tons)

7. List at least two types of material from the old building that were reused in the new. (There are lots – I need to get the answer for this. I know they reused the doors and some beams, cedar roof shingles, have to see what else)

8. List at least three ways the Nature Center reduces water consumption. (waterless urinals; very low flow toilets; automatic faucets; rain water collection; green roof)

9. How many gallons of water per year will be saved by the Nature Center's waterless urinals? (135,000).

10. What are the Nature Center's shelves and countertops made out of? (strawboard).

11. Why was this material chosen for the shelving and countertops? (biodegradable; renewable; low-VOC)

12. List at least three items that were created from a mature red oak for the One Tree Project (there are dozens, and it's very obvious)

13. The area of land beneath a building is called its _ (footprint).

14. Why are the Nature Center's ceiling joists easier on the environment? (they reduce the need for larger framing materials, thus reducing demand for large tree stock from forests).

15. How is the Nature Center heated and cooled? (geothermal)

16. Fluid in the heating/cooling system reaches a temperature of _ degrees F. before flowing into the heat exchangers. (55 degrees).

17. List at least three energy-saving strategies used at the Nature Center. (ceiling fans; sun tubes; geothermal heat/cooling; green roof; cfls; energy star appliances; tankless water heaters; motion activated lighting; automated lights; there may be more).

19. What's "green" about keeping the Nature Center clean?

20. List at least five "green building priorities" that the Nature Center's new building exemplifies. (Save energy; recycle buildings; create community; use less material; protect the site; use low-impact materials; save water; healthy building; minimize construction and demolition waste; green up the business

21. What does the Hebrew term Shomrei Adomah mean?

22. Name an example of Tikkun Olam as it relates to the environment.

OUTDOOR QUESTIONS

23. Why is cement board a great material for exterior siding? (recycled material; durable; inexpensive; holds paint longer)

24. Name the four elements of a good compost pile. (green material for nitrogen, brown material for carbon, water and oxygen)

25. What are some examples of good garbage for your compost? (Aurelia to provide)

26. What can't go in a compost pile? (meat or dairy products; inorganic material)

27. Name 3 advantages to collecting rainwater. (conserves water; conserves energy going into treating tap water; it's free; it's a nice temperature; it's better for plants, due to higher nitrogen content; reduces runoff into storm drains).

28. What are some uses for collected rainwater? (water garden; wash car; can drink if you purify with camping purification system; kids' squirt guns and water play; fill bird baths)

29. Name 3 ways we personally can help protect our watershed. (don't dump hazardous liquids into storm drains; collect rainwater; eliminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in our yards; support monitoring and restoration activities of orgs. like the Nature Center).

30. What is the largest category of waste going to landfills today? (paper)

31. What percent of landfill trash is newspaper? (40%)

32. Name at least 3 reasons to recycle newspaper. (reduce landfill; reduce logging of trees; local fundraiser;

33. Name at least one "exotic invasive" plant species to eliminate from our yards. (there should be a demo garden outdoors)

34. List at least three strategies found here that you are also doing at home, work, or school.

35. List at least three strategies you found here that you can add to your sustainable practices at home, work, or school, in the future.

code 36. List at least five animal species that are native to our Northeast Ohio habitat. code

SCAVENGER HUNT WRESTLING WITH OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE ENVIRONMENT

Directions: As a team, you need to find the answers to as many of the following questions as you can. (We do not expect you to answer all of them in the time provided so don’t get upset if you can’t find an answer-just go on to the next one). You may divide up. (If it is raining, please eliminate the section marked outdoors). The third and fourth pages contain activities and the collecting of objects. Questions are 1 point each, and activities etc, are marked as to their point value. Please do not share your answers with another team. We will convene at the designated team to share answers, our presentations, and to add points,

PART 1: Questions

1. Why was the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes originally established?

2. What percentage of U.S. floors are covered by carpeting or rugs?

3. Why is it more sustainable to use carpet tiles, rather than wall-to-wall carpeting?

4. Name at least two advantages to installing a "green" roof of living plant material.

5. Green roofs can cool down an urban area by _ degrees F.

6. How many tons of glass, wood and metal were separated and recycled when the Nature Center renovated it's building?

7. List at least two types of material from the old building that were reused in the new.

8. List at least three ways the Nature Center reduces water consumption.

9. How many gallons of water per year will be saved by the Nature Center's waterless urinals?

10. What are the Nature Center's shelves and countertops made out of?

11. Why was this material chosen for the shelving and countertops?

12. List at least three items that were created from a mature red oak for the One Tree Project

13. The area of land beneath a building is called its _.

14. Why are the Nature Center's ceiling joists easier on the environment?

15. How is the Nature Center heated and cooled?

16. Fluid in the heating/cooling system reaches a temperature of _ degrees F. before flowing into the heat exchangers.

17. List at least three energy-saving strategies used at the Nature Center.

19. What's "green" about keeping the Nature Center clean?

20. List at least five "green building priorities" that the Nature Center's new building Exemplifies.

21. What does the Hebrew term Shomrei Adomah mean?

22. Name an example of Tikkun Olam as it relates to the environment.

OUTDOOR QUESTIONS

23. Why is cement board a great material for exterior siding?

24. Name the four elements of a good compost pile

25. What are some examples of good garbage for your compost?

26. What can't go in a compost pile?

27. Name 3 advantages to collecting rainwater.

28. What are some uses for collected rainwater?

29. Name 3 ways we personally can help protect our watershed

30. What is the largest category of waste going to landfills today?

31. What percent of landfill trash is newspaper?

32. Name at least 3 reasons to recycle newspaper

33. Name at least one "exotic invasive" plant species to eliminate from our yards.

34. List at least three strategies found here that you are also doing at home, work, or school.

35. List at least three strategies you found here that you can add to your sustainable practices at home, work, or school, in the future.

36. List at least five animal species that are native to our Northeast Ohio habit

PART 2: Activities and things to find


 * 1) Think of a bracha (blessing) that shows appreciation for nature. As a group, be ready to recite it when we reconvene. (3 points)
 * 2) Bal Tashchit means “do not be wasteful”. Find something that can be recycled rather than thrown away/ wasted. (2 points).
 * 3) Judaism teaches that everything was created with a purpose. There is no excess or wastes. Creatures such as flies and bugs have their purpose in the world. As a group come up with a product you think is extremely useful and prepare a slogan/jingle to advertise the uses of this product. (3 points)
 * 4) Judaism teaches there are limits to what we acquire. Come up with a list of at least 5 things that you bought or were given that you don’t really need. (1 point for each object on the list). Find one thing you have with you that is not really necessary (2 points).
 * 5) Find something that reminds you of a Jewish holiday whose purpose is to show respect for the environment. (2 points)
 * 6) The Tower of Babel story illustrates the limits that are to be placed on human control. Be ready to make a human pyramid. Each person participating in the pyramid must name a way we must limit ourselves. For instance not use so much fuel. (0ne point for each person in the pyramid)
 * 7) Often we don’t see the beauty in nature all around us. Find an everyday object and be ready to share with the group at least 5 ways the object is beautiful. (3 points).
 * 8) The biblical text from Ecclesiastes 3 teaches us everything has a purpose. Sing part of the song with hand motions/ actions to show what you are singing (3 points).
 * 9) The creation story teaches us that we are to be caretakers of the world. Find or draw a picture of something exemplifying how we can be caretakers of the world. (2 points)
 * 10) Judaism teaches that the world is a web: interconnected and interdependent. Make a human web by all joining hands and becoming tangled together. Each person participating must name something in creation/nature that is connected to something else and how. (1 point for each person participating).
 * 11) Find something that is normally thrown away and come up with another way it can be used. (up to five points based on your creativity).
 * 12) The term “tikkun olam” speaks of the world needing to be fixed or repaired. Come up with a list of 5 ways we can fix the world from an environmental perspective.