As interest permits, a weekly outing will bring the community together around the ecological theme of the week. For example, the second week, which emphasizes the air we share, would be the occasion for a bike ride. Readings, available through the “More” links in the weekly e-mail message, will focus on inspiring examples of progress toward ecological sustainability, insights from our tradition, and practical steps. A weekly bibliography will encourage further explorations.The hope is to build these resources as a collaborative effort. The project team will use “Wiki” technology at the wetpaint.com web site to edit and add to the suggested actions, outings, and readings. In March, the whole congregation will be solicited for favorite environmental cartoons.

Why an Omer observance? Why “New Leaves”?

The word “Omer” means a sheaf (of wheat). Counting each day between the harvest festivals of Passover and Shavuot, our ancestors offered a daily Omer at the temple as a prayer for a successful completion of the harvest.

You shall count for yourselves -- from the day after the Shabbat, from the day when you bring the Omer of the waving -- seven Shabbats, they shall be complete. Until the day after the seventh Shabbat you shall count, fifty days.
-Leviticus 23:15-16

To modern Jews, the Omer period is identified with the journey from Passover’s liberation to Shavuot’s revelation of Torah. It often symbolizes learning to accept the responsibility that comes with freedom.
The acceptance of responsibility today leads back to the original connectedness of the Omer tradition to the land, from which all sustenance is brought forth. We live in a time of crisis in climate and ecology, brought on because, in the rush to build civilization, we have often neglected to honor the earth.

The name Project New Leaves suggests turning over new leaves in the sense of learning new habits. To honor the earth today, we must learn the habits of responsible dominion. The new leaves that grow at this time of year also represent one of nature’s marvels of sustainable design – little solar-powered nutrient factories that become food for the web of life when no longer in use.

As each of the seven weeks of the Omer is counted, we will review the profound and beautiful imagery of one of the seven days in the first two chapters of the Torah. We rejoice in the gifts of Creation as we recognize their boundaries. We aim to strengthen our commitment to learn to live within Creation’s constraints.