Mishkan Shalom Embraces Global Concept of Shmita for 5775

Congregation Mishkan Shalom of Philadelphia is going global for the year 5775 by embracing the Jewish concept of Shmita in all of its daily activities. Located at 4101 Freeland Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa., Mishkan Shalom aims to link up with the larger Jewish world in a unique way through a year of Shmita consciousness and action in ways that have never happened across the Jewish spectrum before.

Since biblical times, the Jewish people have taken every seventh year in the land of Israel as a “sabbatical” or “Shmita” for the land and for forgiving debts. Mishkan Shalom is looking to move beyond the biblical constructs and embrace the contemporary, progressive and ecologically focused Jewish approach to Shmita. They will do this by partnering with organizations and communities around the world all working together towards sustainability and climate change.

At Mishkan Shalom, Rabbi Shawn Zevit, with the partnership of Rabbi Yael Levy, staff, President David Piver and the many lay leaders and teachers, will lead the congregation through a year where each aspect of congregational life will embrace the Shmita philosopy. “Our strategic plan has been aligned with Shmita in all facets of life including adult education, religious school, spiritual practice, social action and sustainability,” says Zevit. “If we can eat more locally grown food; get our students to recycle more; have our religious school families carpool more; use recyclable products for our meals and Onegs, then as a congregation and as a Jewish community we will be able to reduce our footprint on the earth.”

This year, Mishkan Shalom will partner with people and organizations here in Philadelphia, across the country and across the globe, to take an active and unceasing stand for “a spiritually, economically, socially, politically and ecologically sustainable world for all life.” Rabbi Zevit adds, “Shmita is an opportunity for our congregation to share in the renewal – a renewal of the land and a renewal of the soul.”

In addition to adopting Shmita principles and practices for the year 5775, the congregation is joining the Jewish Environmental Network to explore ways to embrace the fundamentals of Shmita in everyday life and living, not just during a Shmita year, but for the foreseeable future. Rabbi Zevit emphasizes that, “For us as people of faith and justice, and as expressions of this precious planet’s life force, there may be no more important issue to engage in and face than the issue of global sustainability and climate change in our lifetime.”

For more information about Mishkan Shalom’s Shmita initiatives or for a complete schedule of services for adults, teens and children visit www.mishkan.org.

About Mishkan Shalom:

Mishkan Shalom is a Reconstructionist congregation in the Manayunk/Roxborough section of Philadelphia. Translated as Dwelling Place of Peace, Mishkan Shalom is the spiritual home of a diverse community of progressive Jews. Active engagement with the Statement of Principles commits the community to Prayer, Study and Acts of Caring, often partnering with the larger community to repair the world in justice and peace. Entering its 26th year, Mishkan Shalom has over 200 member households. Lead Rabbi Shawn Zevit and Rabbi Yael Levy, one of The Forward’s “50 most inspiring Rabbis,” serve as the spiritual leaders while empowering lay leaders and members on their own paths. Mishkan Shalom is located at the corner of Shurs Lane and Freeland Avenue in Roxborough. For directions and more information, please visit their website at www.mishkan.org.

(Photo credit: www.hazon.com)