Tikkun Olam
Social Justice and Community Projects

New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light

From Judy Brown . . .

Shomrei Adamah, the concept that we are responsible for caring for the land, has always been a central part of our tradition and practices at Nahalat Shalom.  We’ve had a partner in those efforts in New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light, which supports and connects faith communities who become covenant partners.  Covenant partners pledge to educate their members about environmental stewardship, to take measures to increase energy efficiency in their buildings and practices, and to support public policies that will reduce the rate of climate change, all part of the Eco-Kashrut we practice.  (See Va’ad Past President Chuck Buxbaum explaining our approach in a video here). 

I recently joined the board of NM-IPL, inspired by my friend Judy Smith, a leader of Congregation Albert’s Green Team.  At Nahalat Shalom, we have a small-though-mighty Tikkun Olam committee and volunteers who tend our grounds—and we always need more volunteers.  We can also join with other congregations to multiply our efforts. 

We’re invited to join Congregation Albert’s Green Team who are, with their Sisterhood, putting on an Earth Day Nosh and Knowledge event on April 18.  (Flyer is attached.) Speaker Elan Silverblatt-Buser will share the sustainable practices of the thriving Corrales farming operation he and his brother Aaron have created.  I’m excited to hear him speak, especially since not only do I savor their delicious butter lettuce and other produce, I also remember attending his Bar Mitzvah in our sanctuary about two decades ago.  As detailed in the flyer, send RSVP and payment by April 15. 

Also coming up, on Sunday, April 21 is the mega-Earth Day event from 10-4 at Balloon Fiesta Park.  The 2024 World Theme is Planet vs Plastics.  This is a different approach from the familiar grass-rootsy event at the co-op and will bring together lots of organizations, including NM-IPL.  There are many ways to learn and volunteer.  More info and free tickets (in March) here. 

As Jane Goodall said, “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you.”  Let’s connect and work together.

APS Homeless Students

Unhoused APS students --Special donations drive from now through High Holidays to provide foods and hygiene supplies for APS students who are unhoused. Please bring a donation of

• non perishable foods

• easy open pop top fruit cups

• noodle cups

• juices

• energy bars

• and hygiene supplies

These foods or hygiene supplies are stuffed in gallon bags and delivered by the counselors and outreach teachers of this Title One program with APS. This is how we help these kids stay in school!

Joan Robins and Michelle Vogler toured the warehouse and were blown away and touched by the scope of work they do for 4000 kids and families. Empty shelves need to be filled up with easy to open nutritious foods for unhoused students and their families.

The donation cart is now in the Sanctuary. You can find inexpensive single serving foods wherever you shop. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Mishpocha means extended family in Yiddish. We support Nahalat Shalom members in times of need and times of joy (new baby). Services are for those who live alone, don't have other support or whose caregivers are exhausted. We practice social distancing, masks and gloves as appropriate. We have begun a Rapid Response Team to expedite our responses. Your call to us will be confidential. To volunteer to help, or if you have a need or know someone who has a need, please call Michelle Vogler or Joan Robins; or contact the office at office@nahalahatshalom.org