מִקֵּ֥ץ שֶֽׁבַע־שָׁנִ֖ים תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה שְׁמִטָּֽה
Every seventh year, you shall practice release
Every seventh year, you shall practice release
-Deuteronomy 15:1
5782 kicks off a Shmita year, the seventh year of a seven year cycle. In the Torah, the Shmita year is a time to rest the land without laboring it, and for all members of a society to release and forgive debts, or be forgiven of their debts. It is a year of regeneration--making food available to everyone who needs it, helping to restore equity in the economy, decrease wealth disparity, and nourish the land for its long-term sustainability. To learn about and engage more deeply with Shmita, we recommend this workbook!
Here are ways to get involved locally in Philadelphia to make sure everyone who needs food has access to it and help release people from the burden of oppressive debt.
Here are ways to get involved locally in Philadelphia to make sure everyone who needs food has access to it and help release people from the burden of oppressive debt.
Release & Regenerate: KT Strategic Plan
Once every seven years the Torah instructs us to reset, release, and regenerate. The teachings of the sabbatical year are personal and communal. We at Kol Tzedek are using this time to articulate our purpose, vision, and values as a community, and most importantly, to deepen our connections with each other.
Please check this FAQ to get a window into this important community process.
Please check this FAQ to get a window into this important community process.
Abolish Medical DebT
Debt forgiveness is a key aspect of shmita. Join the Kol Tzedek campaign to abolish medical debt in Philadelphia. Click here! |
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Volunteer at Sankofa FaRM
KT Volunteer Day at Sankofa Farm on September 19 from 9:30am to 12:30pm
Sankofa Farm at Bartram's Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19143
Sankofa Farm has organized a volunteer day for us! This is a beautiful opportunity for us to show up as a community and it's great for folks of all ages. Volunteers should be ready to work in the garden. Dress in something you can get dirty, wear sturdy shoes, and have adequate sun protection. Bring gloves and a water bottle, if you have them.
Located at Bartram's Garden in West Philly, Sankofa Farm is a Black-led farm. Sankofa means "go back and get it" and comes from the Twi language in Ghana. Being a spiritually rooted farm, African American history is very important to Sankofa Farm and they incorporate it in many different ways.
There is space for 40 KT folks. Each volunteer must register individually using the link below in order to fill out Sankofa Farm's required volunteer waivers. Children under the age of 18 must be registered by a legal guardian and accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event.
Please register at https://2005.blackbaudhosting.com/2005/Kol-Tzedek-High-Holiday-volunteer-day-at-Sankofa-Farm.
Sankofa Farm at Bartram's Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19143
Sankofa Farm has organized a volunteer day for us! This is a beautiful opportunity for us to show up as a community and it's great for folks of all ages. Volunteers should be ready to work in the garden. Dress in something you can get dirty, wear sturdy shoes, and have adequate sun protection. Bring gloves and a water bottle, if you have them.
Located at Bartram's Garden in West Philly, Sankofa Farm is a Black-led farm. Sankofa means "go back and get it" and comes from the Twi language in Ghana. Being a spiritually rooted farm, African American history is very important to Sankofa Farm and they incorporate it in many different ways.
There is space for 40 KT folks. Each volunteer must register individually using the link below in order to fill out Sankofa Farm's required volunteer waivers. Children under the age of 18 must be registered by a legal guardian and accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event.
Please register at https://2005.blackbaudhosting.com/2005/Kol-Tzedek-High-Holiday-volunteer-day-at-Sankofa-Farm.
Volunteer with the Philadelphia Orchard ProjecT
Help make fruit be available to anyone who needs it. Volunteers work in small groups and must RSVP in advance. There is a regular workday at the Woodlands in West Philly, Tuesday mornings from 9:30am to12pm. There are also several other opportunities with varied dates/times/locations. Signing up for their volunteer newsletter will also keep you in the loop!
For all the details AND to RSVP for a volunteer shift, visit https://www.phillyorchards.org/events/. |
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donate to The People's Fridge
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You can donate food or money to The People's Fridge on 52nd Street. For more information, click here.
Fridge Fridays! You can bring fresh produce to the fridge every Friday. To volunteer, contact KT member Haley Peckman at hmpeckman@gmail.com. To donate money, Venmo @thepeoplesfridge215. |
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