Hazon 2007: Two Rides is Better Than One
The following letter I wrote 3 March 2007 22:02:37, titled "IF+Hazon 2007: The Next Live+Work Steps for Super Ben." I continue my request for your support as I prepare for not one but two Jewish environmental bike rides with Hazon this year, one for which I am the route planner.
Moments ago (when written this afternoon), while reading To Be of Use: The Seven Seeds of Meaningful Work, a recent title by Dave Smith (cofounder of Smith & Hawken), I derived the inspiration to write this letter to you. I have been lax about sending news out to friends and family for a long time. Sometime last year, my hope was that my next message would be an announcement of my full-time employment in the DC Government, where I spent three years on contract, working on a variety of environmental programs. But that never happened. In the end, a week after I returned to Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center last fall, I was abruptly asked to stop working because DC no longer had a means to pay me. Well, the story is much longer, but that is in my past now and I'd rather tell you of the exciting moments in my life since.
After a second season working for the Teva Learning Center and Isabella Freedman, I returned to Takoma Park to housesit for Michael and Esther, close friends next door to my parents, for three weeks; I continued to live in their midst for another five. During those two months, I deeply missed the friendships I'd formed and the community that became part of me at Freedman, so I set out to make an agreement about work and compensation to continue my career there. Well, there is now here, and here is where I have decided to spend 2007.
Returning as the super hero who proved his variety of skills and ability to complete tasks effectively, quickly, and without hesitation during two seasons past, I have been also named Director of Special Projects. So you'll also discover on the staff list in Freedman's 2007 Program Catalog, which will be published soon. I will continue to support the core divisions (housekeeping, kitchen, maintenance, office), offer ongoing technical guidance, and monitor energy consumption on retreat center property—which saved 30% of energy costs in 2005 over the previous year, due to my Energy Man responsibilities. In addition, I will take on any number of other projects, as assigned by Adam Berman and Ari Weller (Freedman directors).
Special Project #1 has involved the Bookstore, a second generation to the gift shop at Elat Chayyim, the Jewish Renewal retreat center that merged with Freedman last fall, becoming the Elat Chayyim Center for Jewish Spirituality. Bookstore manager Ben Appelle (ADAMAH fellow, fall 2006) and I researched half a dozen point-of-sale software packages and found one with enough features and a usable visual interface that we determined would best suit Freedman's needs of accounting, sales reporting, and general store management. We'll be setting up the store with new electronics and a working software application this week. And so begins again Super Ben's contributions to Isabella Freedman, a community that has become dear to my mind, body, and spirit.
In addition to all this, I will be participating in Elat Chayyim's summer Neshamah internship program, a Jewish Renewal learning seminar and service opportunity. And overall, I have defined 2007 as a sabbatical year for my career, during which I will be reading such books as To Be of Use and Jill Hammer's new The Jewish Book of Days, discovering new connections between environment, faith, and the paths I wish to follow in life.
You can read more about my adventures this year on my blog, To Save the Planet. [Oh, wait, that's what you're doing now, isn't it? Funny thing.]
As you probably know, bicycling has become a vital component of my local transportation. Back in the D.C. area last year, I started commuting to work daily and getting most places in the District by bicycle, spending far less time using public transit. During summer 2005, I upgraded my bicycle to Xtracycle so I could safely transport my office to work. Another repercussion was my new ability to buy a full load of groceries and prevent my consumption from being so limited anymore. And in 2003, I started participating in Hazon's New York Jewish Environmental Bike Ride, a two-day 120+ mile ride ending in Manhattan. (The 2004 Ride introduced me to Isabella Freedman and the Teva Learning Center.)
Well, just a few months ago, discussions began about having a similar ride in the D.C. area, and after many weeks of planning since then, I'm thrilled to inform you that I will be riding with Hazon not once but twice this year!, because the first DC Jewish Environmental Bike Ride will take place on Earth Day, Sunday, April 22. And you are now hearing from the route planner!
This one-day, 54-mile ride will wind its way from Am Kolel Sanctuary & Renewal Center and quiet country roads of western Montgomery County, Maryland, to urban bike routes of the District of Columbia. It will include paths following the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers and their confluence at Hains Point, and an approach to the U.S. Capitol before ending at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue.
Even though we Ride planners have such crucial roles, we are still riding, and we also need to fundraise. So, in the next seven weeks, I need to raise $800. And four months beyond that, I need to be up to $1800 for the 2007 New York Jewish Environmental Bike Ride, which will feature an entirely new route this year, between Freedman and Manhattan. Shouldn't be hard, though, with someone special like you in my life.
Half of your donation will support Jewish environmental projects in the D.C. area. The rest will go to Hazon, based in New York City, to fund other domestic and Israeli programs and help Hazon on its way as a visioning Jewish environmental nonprofit foundation. Every day, my work is bringing meaningful change to people as part of our environment, and guiding them toward new change for others yet. Because of this ongoing opportunity, and the community that surrounds it, I am happy.
Only 22 donations of $36 will bring me over $800; I need 50 to meet $1800. Will you be one of the first 22? Will you give more so others feel justified in whatever amount they can afford? Choose one of the amounts offered on my donation page or enter your own. Just know that however much you give will be a worthwhile investment in your own future. (Of course it is a tax-deductible contribution, too).
Smiles & Thanks to you for your support and love! (Chag Sameach to those in drunken celebration.)
- Super Ben
Alive (and Kicking) to Save the Planet
Moments ago (when written this afternoon), while reading To Be of Use: The Seven Seeds of Meaningful Work, a recent title by Dave Smith (cofounder of Smith & Hawken), I derived the inspiration to write this letter to you. I have been lax about sending news out to friends and family for a long time. Sometime last year, my hope was that my next message would be an announcement of my full-time employment in the DC Government, where I spent three years on contract, working on a variety of environmental programs. But that never happened. In the end, a week after I returned to Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center last fall, I was abruptly asked to stop working because DC no longer had a means to pay me. Well, the story is much longer, but that is in my past now and I'd rather tell you of the exciting moments in my life since.
After a second season working for the Teva Learning Center and Isabella Freedman, I returned to Takoma Park to housesit for Michael and Esther, close friends next door to my parents, for three weeks; I continued to live in their midst for another five. During those two months, I deeply missed the friendships I'd formed and the community that became part of me at Freedman, so I set out to make an agreement about work and compensation to continue my career there. Well, there is now here, and here is where I have decided to spend 2007.
Returning as the super hero who proved his variety of skills and ability to complete tasks effectively, quickly, and without hesitation during two seasons past, I have been also named Director of Special Projects. So you'll also discover on the staff list in Freedman's 2007 Program Catalog, which will be published soon. I will continue to support the core divisions (housekeeping, kitchen, maintenance, office), offer ongoing technical guidance, and monitor energy consumption on retreat center property—which saved 30% of energy costs in 2005 over the previous year, due to my Energy Man responsibilities. In addition, I will take on any number of other projects, as assigned by Adam Berman and Ari Weller (Freedman directors).
Special Project #1 has involved the Bookstore, a second generation to the gift shop at Elat Chayyim, the Jewish Renewal retreat center that merged with Freedman last fall, becoming the Elat Chayyim Center for Jewish Spirituality. Bookstore manager Ben Appelle (ADAMAH fellow, fall 2006) and I researched half a dozen point-of-sale software packages and found one with enough features and a usable visual interface that we determined would best suit Freedman's needs of accounting, sales reporting, and general store management. We'll be setting up the store with new electronics and a working software application this week. And so begins again Super Ben's contributions to Isabella Freedman, a community that has become dear to my mind, body, and spirit.
In addition to all this, I will be participating in Elat Chayyim's summer Neshamah internship program, a Jewish Renewal learning seminar and service opportunity. And overall, I have defined 2007 as a sabbatical year for my career, during which I will be reading such books as To Be of Use and Jill Hammer's new The Jewish Book of Days, discovering new connections between environment, faith, and the paths I wish to follow in life.
You can read more about my adventures this year on my blog, To Save the Planet. [Oh, wait, that's what you're doing now, isn't it? Funny thing.]
As you probably know, bicycling has become a vital component of my local transportation. Back in the D.C. area last year, I started commuting to work daily and getting most places in the District by bicycle, spending far less time using public transit. During summer 2005, I upgraded my bicycle to Xtracycle so I could safely transport my office to work. Another repercussion was my new ability to buy a full load of groceries and prevent my consumption from being so limited anymore. And in 2003, I started participating in Hazon's New York Jewish Environmental Bike Ride, a two-day 120+ mile ride ending in Manhattan. (The 2004 Ride introduced me to Isabella Freedman and the Teva Learning Center.)
Well, just a few months ago, discussions began about having a similar ride in the D.C. area, and after many weeks of planning since then, I'm thrilled to inform you that I will be riding with Hazon not once but twice this year!, because the first DC Jewish Environmental Bike Ride will take place on Earth Day, Sunday, April 22. And you are now hearing from the route planner!
This one-day, 54-mile ride will wind its way from Am Kolel Sanctuary & Renewal Center and quiet country roads of western Montgomery County, Maryland, to urban bike routes of the District of Columbia. It will include paths following the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers and their confluence at Hains Point, and an approach to the U.S. Capitol before ending at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue.
Even though we Ride planners have such crucial roles, we are still riding, and we also need to fundraise. So, in the next seven weeks, I need to raise $800. And four months beyond that, I need to be up to $1800 for the 2007 New York Jewish Environmental Bike Ride, which will feature an entirely new route this year, between Freedman and Manhattan. Shouldn't be hard, though, with someone special like you in my life.
Half of your donation will support Jewish environmental projects in the D.C. area. The rest will go to Hazon, based in New York City, to fund other domestic and Israeli programs and help Hazon on its way as a visioning Jewish environmental nonprofit foundation. Every day, my work is bringing meaningful change to people as part of our environment, and guiding them toward new change for others yet. Because of this ongoing opportunity, and the community that surrounds it, I am happy.
Only 22 donations of $36 will bring me over $800; I need 50 to meet $1800. Will you be one of the first 22? Will you give more so others feel justified in whatever amount they can afford? Choose one of the amounts offered on my donation page or enter your own. Just know that however much you give will be a worthwhile investment in your own future. (Of course it is a tax-deductible contribution, too).
Smiles & Thanks to you for your support and love! (Chag Sameach to those in drunken celebration.)
- Super Ben
Alive (and Kicking) to Save the Planet
posted by Ben @ 10:45 PM
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