Shomrei Adamah/Protecting the Earth
Keeping Connected November 202
Dear Friends,
As many of you heard in my remarks during the High Holidays, I raised concerns about the impact of climate change on our planet and how our faith commands us to take the mitzvah of Shomrei Adamah/Protecting the Earth as an imperative. In the Torah itself there are countless texts and mitzvot that underly this religious principle. I also shared this text from the Midrash, Kohelet Rabbah:
“Then the Blessed Holy One created the first human, God took Adam around to all the trees of the Garden of Eden and said: “Look at My works, how beautiful and praiseworthy they are! And all that I have created, it was for you that I created it. Pay attention that you do not corrupt and destroy My world: if you corrupt it, there is no one to repair and mend it after you. (Kohelet Rabbah 7:13:1)”.
In my Kol Nidre sermon I explained that I had felt personally impacted by two climate disasters this year; the wildfires in Northen California outside of Chico and in Asheville, North Carolina and its environs, the impact of Hurricane Helene. For those of you who did not hear the sermon, I was the rabbi in Chico, California and have maintained strong connections to that community. I have also visited Asheville and the surrounding communities. It is a beautiful part of the world. Ironically I know several people from Northern California who have relocated to Asheville to escape the horrible dangers of the out-of-control wildfires that California now experiences. The devastation of Asheville feels more personal because during my recent trip to Israel this winter, I got to know the rabbi of the Reform congregation, Rabbi Batsheva Meiri. Her congregation, as was the entire area, was profoundly impacted by the hurricane. A colleague of ours Rabbi Asher Gottesfeld Knight, the Reform rabbi in Charlotte, NC, has been keeping colleagues in the loop about the status of the Reform synagogue community in Asheville. If you feel motivated to contribute to help them, you can do so through a special fund that was set up through the Charlotte synagogue. I provided Rabbi Gottesfeld Knight’s letter below.
Tonight we will be celebrating the end of Sukkot with the festival of Simchat Torah. As we mark this season of harvest and plenty, let us remember that the bounty of our earth is dependent upon all of us being good stewards of our planet.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Shoshana M. Perry
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Rabbi Gottesfeld Knight’s letter:
I have received numerous requests for an update about how to support our colleague Batsheva Meiri and Congregation Beth HaTephila in Asheville. I connected with Batsheva today. She has asked me to provide you with an update as they continue to weather the aftermath of the devastating hurricane.
While progress is being made, the challenges are still immense, and the road ahead feels long and uncertain. There are moments of light, but the weight of what remains to be done is heavy on the entire community.
Most of the city has power again, but the basic need for clean, potable water remains unmet. For now, families are still trekking to neighborhood water stations every day to refill jugs just to drink, shower, or do dishes. There is no set date for when this will change. Internet access is still unreliable, with many, including Batsheva, relying on sporadic hotspots. After a month-long break, schools are reopening, but teachers and students will return to buildings stocked with bottled water. The strain on families, especially those who couldn’t leave the city, is overwhelming.
At Congregation Beth HaTephila, four families have lost everything. Imagine what that means—not just losing a home, but facing a future of uncertainty and bureaucracy as FEMA and insurance move slowly, leaving these families hanging. Batsheva herself has been denied insurance coverage. It’s impossible to go anywhere in Asheville without seeing the destruction—piles of debris everywhere, with estimates suggesting it will take 70,000 trucks to clear the waste from the city. Major areas, like the River Arts District and Biltmore Village, were decimated. Congregation Beth HaTephila has it’s own repairs to make and yet is also offering space to the historic All Souls Episcopal Church, which is still so deeply mired in storm mud that it requires Hazmat suits to enter.
But through the wreckage, there’s been remarkable kindness. Relief workers from all over North Carolina and beyond have stepped in, and organizations like World Central Kitchen have provided meals to families. People from as far away as Israel have reached out to offer support. Schools reopening is a critical lifeline for many families who didn’t have the option to evacuate. And yet, the emotional toll is heavy. The constant state of crisis has worn everyone down. Executive functioning feels frayed for so many.
And the challenges are not just emotional. Congregation Beth HaTephila is facing a significant financial crisis. They are down by at least $125,000 from expected revenues. This isn’t just a line in a budget—this shortfall is putting the future of the community at risk. To help bridge this gap, Congregation Beth HaTephila is launching a dues relief fund to help families stay connected to temple life, instead of having to choose between meeting immediate needs and maintaining their Jewish communal ties. Every dollar helps both families and the congregation itself.
This is where your support can make a difference. If you are looking for a way to make a tangible impact, you can donate directly to Rabbi Batsheva Meiri and Congregation Beth HaTephila. 100% of the funds will go toward helping the congregation stay afloat during this crisis.
Donate to Rabbi Batsheva Meiri and Congregation Beth HaTephila
Additionally, Jewish Family Services of Western North Carolina has been leading many of the relief efforts in the region. They have set up a fund to support recovery in Western North Carolina, and you can donate to this crucial work here:
Donate to Jewish Family Services of Western North Carolina
This is more than just helping a congregation and a colleague recover from a disaster. It’s about giving families hope that they can rebuild. It’s about restoring the sacred spaces where people find connection, comfort, and meaning. The storm may have hit Asheville, but its impact is felt across our community.
Thank you for standing with Batsheva and Congregation Beth HaTephila during this time of need. Your support is the reminder they need—that they are not alone, that we, as colleagues and as a Jewish community, stand together, and that hope is not lost. Together, we can help them rebuild their lives, one act of generosity at a time.
With gratitude and hope. Moadim L’simcha.
Asher
https://tbe.shulcloud.com/form/rbm-discretionary-fund.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawGIrmFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfZnZnwUPHIRv-rZ3Mv3EPxjiQ9qerWriyufvOeVrhsJ6d_KHUQXmAPgaw_aem_RjZYzsoFHEMQXbLtfhnHmw