Tikvat Israel Blog

Here’s a question from one of our members, for you to ponder, and, I hope, respond to:

1. Did you grow up in a kosher household?
2. If you did and are still keeping kosher, what made you continue to do so?
3. If you didn’t grow up keeping kosher, but do now, what are the top 3 reasons you decided to keep kosher?

This year, our community has undertaken partnership with a local farmer, Pam Stegall Roberts, of Calvert Farm in Cecil County, MD, to enjoy locally grown organic produce. We benefit from the freshest produce, eaten as it comes into season, and not shipped and trucked to our pantries from continents away. Our farmer benefits from a guaranteed income, and the ability to know that her produce will be enjoyed at it’s freshest and most flavorful.

The idea of joining in this partnership as a part of the synagogue’s social action was the brain-child of Rabbi Alana Suskin, who got us involved with Hazon, who sponsors the Tuv Ha’Aretz program.

The word hazon is Hebrew for “vision.”

Our vision is to create a healthier and more sustainable Jewish community — as a step towards a healthier and more sustainable world for all.

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There are two main reasons that Hazon founded Tuv Ha’Aretz:

First, we care deeply about supporting sustainable agriculture and local farmers. In 2007, more than $200,000 went to our Tuv Ha’Aretz partner farmers - and we believe that alone makes Tuv Ha’Aretz a worthwhile endeavor.

In addition to providing people with the opportunity to purchase and eat local, organic produce, Tuv Ha’Aretz helps to protect land from development and urban sprawl by supporting the work of small farmers. Tuv Ha’Aretz’s title - a play on the Hebrew words meaning both “Good for the land” and “Good from the land” - reflects Hazon’s commitment to sustainable farming and eating.

Secondly, we are interested in creating vibrant Jewish communities and educational opportunities. Tuv Ha’Aretz offers a powerful and unique way to foster pluralism and inter-generational connections in the Jewish community.

On July 26th, our CSA members hosted a luncheon for the entire synagogue community for a Shabbat luncheon, and on the Thursday night preceding the luncheon, we gathered in our synagogue kitchen to prepare food, under the expert guidance and vision of Roz Kram, one of our core CSA members. Check out photos of our food preparation here.