Happy Earth Day, everyone! If you’re looking for ways to instill a love and respect for the environment in your kids, Jewish tradition is a pretty good place to start. After all, one of the main tenets of Judaism is tikkun olam, repairing the world.
First, let’s talk about food (obviously). We have a great article on the site called “The New Jewish Food Commandments” and it’s all about ensuring that fresh, local, and environmentally friendly food lands on your kids’ plate. It’s chock full of great ideas like picking your own fruit in the summer, eating seasonally, and buying directly from local farms. For another perspective, check out Mayim Bialik’s thoughts on being a vegan, and how it correlates with the Torah and her own Judaism.
Looking to help the environment in a hands-on way? We’ve got a great collection of “green” Jewish crafts for you to check out. Each reuses items that you’ve probably already got lying around the house, like a mezuzah made out of an empty mint tin and a box to hold your Shabbat candles made out of empty berry containers. You also might want to start collecting your empty toilet paper rolls to make this beautiful Tree of Life wall art.
Another major way to help the environment is to cut back on the amount of time we drive (which we know is very hard–those pesky kids have so many places to go!). Read how one mom made a huge sacrifice by giving up her car and going with a bike instead. Lastly, if you’re looking for some more inspiration from other moms, check out our series by Tanya Tolchin called “On the Farm,” in which Tanya explores what it’s like to live on a farm with her kids.
Are you celebrating Earth Day with your kids today? If so, let us know how in the comments below!
