EMMA GOLDBLATT
February seems to have zoomed past, hasn’t it? It’s been yet another remarkable month of animal advocacy for our global community. This newsletter will spotlight events from our Synagogue Vegan Challenge and Campus Fellows, along with other community highlights. Discover how to engage in the upcoming month and don’t forget to sign up for our Purim baking class where you can learn how to make scrumptious chocolate orange Hamantaschen! Enjoy reading!
Synagogue Vegan Challenge Event Spotlight:
Honoring the memory of my mother (and photos from Tu Bshvat seder)
“Tu Bshvat was in and of itself an educational experience and all the parents were involved in buying for and prepping the Seder plates. Everyone had a good time, the children sang a song about trees; they learned and talked about the environment and healthy foods and shared thoughts about what we do to help care for our planet and ourselves.
For SHABBAT YITRO, and VEGAN ONEG, I combined honoring the memory (Hebrew yahrzeit) of my mother with some of her story growing up in Nazi Germany (before she and her sister got out on the kindertransport in 1939) and her values relating to SHAMAYIM .
-Jennifer B, Congregation Emanu El- Redlands, CA
“Prozdor” HS minyan, kiddish and Ice Cream Shabbat
“High School students came for the monthly “Prozdor” youth minyan on Shabbat Feb 10. The students and their supervisor made a fully vegan kiddish upon my instruction (they always prepare their own food) and I provided. We discussed Vegetarianism and the Jewish Tradition using the Shamayim resource. We also informally discussed the vegan seen in Israel. Picture taken before Shabbat.”
-Samuel P, Congregation Beth Shalom – Seattle
Vegan Cooking Workshop with Israeli Chef Sara Black Charm
“We had a wonderful dinner. We all took part in putting the food together into vegan sushi rice bowls, bean tostadas, and salads. The chef was visiting from Israel and spoke to us about healthy vegan eating, how to make changes in our diets, and how she has been supporting IDF soldiers with vegan food..”
-Nicole M, Temple Israel of Great Neck, NY
Kohenet Shabbat Morning Service
“The service leader, a Kohenet priestess, offered a teaching on the alignment of a vegan plant-based diet with feminist values and ecotheology. It was well received by the attendees. The menu was an Ethiopian split pea stew, vegan challah, a nice tray of vegan items from a local restaurant and plenty of fresh fruit.“
-Maxine E., Chochmat HaLev, Berkeley, CA
Campus Fellowship Event Spotlight
Factory Farming’s Impact on the Ocean
“The event went great! I gave the presentation, we had vegan cream cheese with pretzel crisps, and we talked about factory farming and fish farms. Everybody at the event comes to my Shamayim events regularly and they’re always looking forward to the next one!“
-Sophie Rice, Ohio State
Vegan Dinner & Movie Night
“We had a vegan dinner and then we watched The Smell of Money.
In this documentary directed by Shawn Bannon, North Carolina residents take on one of the world’s largest pork companies in a fight for their right to clean air, pure water and a life free from the stench of pig manure.“
-Rebecca Raush, Rutgers
Join us in taking a stand for compassion and sustainability. By pledging to choose fish as friends not food, we affirm our commitment to the well-being of all living beings, ourselves included. So, the next time you sit down to enjoy a meal, opt for a bagel with dairy-free spread & carrot lox, or indulge in a plant-based seafood dish. Let’s spread love—for the fish, for ourselves, and for the planet. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate future for all.
Get Involved
PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE: We have decided to reschedule for March 19 at 4pm PT/ 7pm ET.
We had previously booked it on the Fast of Esther, a day in which many Jewish people choose to fast. Because of this we have received many requests to reschedule. We hope to see you there!
Celebrate Purim with Shamayim: Make vegan chocolate-orange hamantaschen with us LIVE with Estee Raviv of @fromesteeskitchen!
Become a member and learn more here: Membership
Campus Fellows
- To signal your interest, please fill out the interest form and we will contact you when applications open up!
- If you have any questions, or know someone who you think is a good fit, please email emma@shamayim.us
Information about Synagogue Vegan Challenge Cohort #8 2024- 2025:
- Cohort #8 will run from September 2024- May 2025.
- Applications will open April 30th, 2024.
- Fill out the interest form if you are interested in the program and we will reach out when applications open up!
- Please email emma@shamayim.us with any questions.
- Pre-apply for the 2024-2025 Synagogue Vegan Challenge by filling out the interest form here: The Synagogue Vegan Challenge
Help us to elevate our programs to more effectively advocate for animals! Take the survey here: http://bit.ly/shamayimsurvey
Stay Tuned: New Programming Coming Soon!
- Exclusive Interviews
- Holiday Cooking Demos
- and more!
Make sure to join our mailing list so you don’t miss out on any programs!
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