Welcome to the extraordinary
world of Jewish Environmental Education!
Thousands of years ago our ancestors lived with
a keen awareness of their dependence on the natural systems that
support life. Through their daily interactions with soil, water,
and air, they developed a great respect for the Earth and sensed
the presence of the Divine within all of Creation. Although many
Jews today have lost this connection, our ancient relationship
with nature is nevertheless reflected in Jewish law, in our prayers,
in the celebration of our holidays, and in the core values of
our tradition.
The Teva Learning Center exists to renew the ecological
wisdom inherent in Judaism. By immersing participants in the natural
world and providing structured activities which sensitize them
to nature's rhythms, we help them develop a more meaningful relationship
with nature and their own Jewish practices. This process also
facilitates personal growth, community building, and a genuine
commitment to tikkun olam, healing the world. All Teva
programs are built on a thematic progression - from Awareness
to Interconnectedness to Responsibility.
We thank you...for your miracles
that are with us each day, and for your wonders and goodness that
are with us every moment.
Siddur, Amidah
As students make the transition to nature's classroom, they become
aware of the miracles within Creation. Brachot, tefillah,
and hitbodedut (blessings, praryer, and reflection), are
essential components of Teva programs. They not only allow us to
pause and notice the fleeting and overlooked - a shooting star,
a stand of wild edible grapes, a camouflaged salamander - but they
also instill in us a continual sense of awe (yirat shamyim)
and gratitude (ahavat shamyim).
I never knew God made so many
incredible things without motors.
Student, age 10
Solomon Schechter of Newton, MA
Even those Creatures that you
deem superfluous in this world, such as flies, fleas and gnats,
nevertheless have their allotted task in the scheme of Creation.
Shemot Rabbah 10:1
While exploring the relationships between bears
and red oaks, mosquitoes and blueberry bushes, and mushrooms and
soil, participants come to realize the unique role of each creature
and element within the ecosystem. we study texts about the integrity
of each creature. Discovering the rhythm of nature's cycles keeps
us in tune with the daily, monthly, and yearly cycles that infuse
Jewish tradition.
When the Holy One, blessed be
God, created the first human...God said to Adam, 'See my works
how good and praiseworthy they are? And all that I have created
I made for you. [But] Be mindful then that you do not spoil and
destroy My world - for if you do spoil it, there is no one after
you to repair it.'
Kohelet Rabbah 7:13
The phrase "l'ovdah u'l'shomrah" from Genesis
2:15 summarizes humanity's responsibility for the Earth - work/serve
and to guard/conserve. We must simultaneously work the land and
protect the Earth. Fulfilling these mandates in this era of ecological
crisis is a greater challenge for our generation than for any
which has preceded us. Teva students study a wide range of age-appropriate
environmental topics and explore ways in which they, individually
and as a community, can become better better stewareds of Creation.
At Teva, environmental responsibility is viewed through the lens
of Jewish ethics, history, aggadah (narrative), and halacha
(law).
The Torah cannot be acquired except
in fellowship.
Talmud, Berachot 63b
In our pursuit of tikkun olam (repairing the world) we must
work on healing not only the discords between humans and the natural
world, but also those bein adam l'havero - between one another.
Teva places a strong emphasis on developing communities and leadership
skills through overcoming group challenges, structured group building
initiatives, ropes courses, work, play, and discussion of Jewish
visions of community.
The Teva Learning Center is
a program of Surprise
Lake Camp and a UJA-Federation
beneficiary. |
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