Green Empowerment
If we are going out into the world, then we must move beyond our own small haunt. The sages taught, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am [only] for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” (Avoth 1:14)
Through our Global Poverty (Mahsh’pi’a) Campaign, Havurah Shalom is committed to working to ameliorate global poverty. One key part of our campaign is to raise money to fund a solar-powered water system in a village in Nicaragua. Havurah’s goal is raise $80,000.
Green Empowerment is a Portland-based non-profit that has developed special expertise in developing in-country partnerships to provide sustainable energy and potable water to communities in Asia and Latin America. Green Empowerment understands community building and works with local non-governmental organizations to organize and manage their projects in local communities. Their projects are small and sustainable. They work quietly and produce concrete results.
In addition to the fundraising campaign, there will be educational activities and engagement with our b’nai mitzvah. We want this initiative to serve as a focal point for who we are as a congregation. As a spiritual community steeped in Jewish values, we define ourselves as a community dedicated to tikun olam. If we are to take seriously our identity, we must undertake efforts to repair this broken world in community.
This summer, we kicked off our campaign by holding house meetings to educate our community about Green Empowerment and our fundraising goals. More activity is planned so we can realize our fund-raising goals. What you can do: Volunteer to host a house meeting. Find a house meeting to attend. And support our fund raising effort by giving generously when asked.
For information about how you can help, please contact Lee Gordon, Linda Boise or the Havurah Office.
You can also follow this link for more information about the organization: http://www.greenempowerment.org/