The Charlotte Jewish News- September 2025- Page 32

By Billie Anderson

In a March 2024 Charlotte Jewish News article, Noa Ezer was featured for her 2023 bat mitzvah project in which she proposed a composting program to Temple Israel to help divert food waste from landfills. That article sparked real change. With collaboration from the Shalom Green team and other stakeholders, a three month, back-of-house composting trial launched this summer at both Temple Beth El and Temple Israel.

Crown Town Compost, a commercial composting service, was selected for the initiative. Their team made the process seamless and efficient. According to Crown Town,“ Over 50 percent of typical municipal garbage set out at the curb is compostable,” making the potential for environmental impact significant. Under the pilot, all kitchen food waste was collected weekly, with bins weighed during pickup to track the volume diverted from landfill. The waste was then delivered to a commercial facility, where it was transformed into nutrient-rich compost.

The trial began just before Passover. Staff at both temples received comprehensive training and immediately began implementing the new system. Their participation was essential to the pilot’ s success. As congregations gathered for Seders— some with themes of environmental justice— this initiative was already making a tangible difference.

Impact of the Composting Pilot

Early in her planning, Noa wondered:“ If so much waste can be composted at home, how much could we compost at a bigger place, like my temple?” After three months of composting, the answer was both figurative and literal: a ton.

Actually, one and a half tons— or 3,074 pounds— of food waste was diverted from landfills. That’ s the environmental equivalent of:

• 2,151 pounds of carbon dioxide

• 1,380 plastic bottles

• Three years’ worth of laundry for an average family

• One road trip from Charlotte to San Diego

• 2.2 commercial flights from Charlotte( CLT) to New York( JFK)

Composting as a Jewish Value

The environmental impact of this short-term trial is impressive, but the deeper significance is rooted in Jewish values. Composting is a profound expression of tikkun olam— repairing the world. Scraps once bound for the trash are turned into fertile soil that nourishes gardens, reduces water and fertilizer needs, and even helps draw carbon out of the atmosphere.

Our tradition doesn’ t just encourage environmental stewardship— it commands it. As Shalom Green Board Member David Rosenthal shared in a 2019 Charlotte Jewish News article:“ When G-d made man, G-d showed him the panoply of creation and said:‘ See all my works, how beautiful they are. All I have made; I have made for you. Take care, therefore, that you do not destroy my world, for if you do, there will be no one left to mend what you have destroyed.’”

Now it’ s our turn to mend our world.

Engaging the Next Generation

Environmental stewardship is resonating with the next generation. Among U. S. youth, 85 % report concern about climate change and nearly half say it negatively impacts their mental health. We often ask how to engage Jewish youth. This is part of the answer.

This work isn’ t just sustainable— it’ s l’ dor v’ dor( from generation to generation).

A Circular System for Shalom Park

This initiative also created a circular economy within Shalom Park. Crown Town Compost offers customers bags of compost for personal use, and their product is also available for purchase. In this way, kitchen food scraps become compost that nourishes the very garden that provides food for Jewish Family Services’ clients.

The program also reduced Shalom Park’ s carbon footprint by over 2,000 pounds of CO2. While that’ s a small step compared to the City of Charlotte’ s Strategic Energy Action Plan goals— 72 % emissions reduction by 2035 and net-zero by 2050— it’ s a meaningful start. How You Can Help There are many ways to support sustainability at Shalom Park. Here’ s how to get involved:

• Donate to the Shalom Green Fund through the Foundation of Shalom Park

• Volunteer at Shalom Green events, including garden workdays

• Turn off your car while idling in school pickup lines to reduce emissions

• Recycle creatively— take bottles and cans home, donate used books, or provide takeaway boxes at events

• Engage young people in conversations about sustainability to build a generational bridge

• Sustainability starts at home, too. Create family goals that reflect your current lifestyle. Ideas include:

• Join a composting service like Crown Town Compost( mention“ Shalom Green” to try their residential service free for one month)

• Eat plant-based meals once a week

• Follow Mecklenburg County’ s“ Recycle Right” guidelines

• Advocate for environmental protections with your elected officials

• Borrow before buying— check out books from PJ Library, for example

To get involved with Shalom Green, visit www. shalomgreen- CLT. org or email info @ shalomgreenCLT. org. You can also find us on Facebook at Shalom Green: Shalom Park Environmental Initiative and on Instagram.

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