Family “Earth” Pledge Sheet

I will spend less time per day other playing with electronic devices during my leisure time than I will playing sports, playing board games, reading and playing outdoor activities
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I will be certain recyclable items I use will be recycled.
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We will plan family outings that leave no blemish on our Earth (cross-country skiing, kayaking or canoes, tent camping, hiking, biking, etc.
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I will replace driving/riding (including getting to school) with walking, biking whenever possible.
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I will carpool or use public transport when possible.
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I will use energy/water saving devices to replace light bulbs, worn-out appliances, showers, etc
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I will read labels, research products so that I will be able to purchase goods with the least environmental impact.
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Before making purchases, I will look for the most environmentally sound business that sells what I am looking for.
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I will check all switches and outlets, insuring that all lights are off in empty rooms, televisions and computers only on when needed and all chargers and other cords are only plugged when being used.
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I will use only natural products in my garden including all fertilizers and pesticides.
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I will use a portion of my tzedakah money for projects designed to have a positive impact on our environment.
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Shalom friends,

As we all watch the horrific images emerging after the earthquake in Haiti, our hearts ache, our eyes fill with tears at the scenes of the dead and dying, dazed and injured children, now orphaned, wandering through devastated streets, crying "Mama," "Papa," - a country utterly destroyed. Amidst the tears, there is hope - families reunited, people saved after days, locked in the grip of collapsed buildings, the courage of rescue workers,  doctors, nurses flying in from all the world to save the people of Haiti. How proud we are of all of them - Americans, French, Israel -- an Israeli field hospital set up, an American hospital ship sailing from Baltimore toward Haiti's shores, Germans, many, many countries -- all coming together - not war, not bombs blasting -- just compassion and caring and kindness. We are all fighting a great battle, as Philo the Jew wrote two millennia ago in Alexandria, Egypt - so we must be kind to one another.