2017 YEAR IN REVIEW

This has been a year of change and growth for Shoresh...and we are thriving!
We planted 11,000 native tree saplings at Bela Farm;
We welcomed 200 community members to our first annual Honey Festival at Bela Farm;
We launched our newest sustainable Jewish product...locally-made beeswax Chanukah candles!
We hosted Dr. Dianne Saxe, Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, at our first annual
Summer Soiree, exploring the need for a Jewish response to global climate change;
We expanded our tzedakah partnerships with Jewish Family & Child and Chasdei Kaduri Food Bank;
We installed solar panels at Shoreshs Kavanah Garden;
AND...for the FOURTH time, Shoresh was profiled as one of the most innovative Jewish
organizations in North America by the Slingshot Guide!

Keep reading for more stories and photos that highlight some of the MANY ways Shoresh is helping
to create a healthier, greener tomorrow through our programs, partnerships, and environmental
initiatives. We are looking forward to growing with you in 2018!

1200 4050
Jars of Bela`s Bees honey distributed Program participants who got their
just in time for Rosh Hashanah hands dirty with us this year

2500 11,000
Volunteer hours spent supporting our Trees planted in our Forest for the
programs, partnerships, and projects Future at Bela Farm this spring

500 INFINTE
Pounds of organic produce grown and Moments of radical awe and
donated to our tzedakah partners wonder in nature!
 GROUNDED IN CANADIAN SOIL, SHORESH HELPS COMMUNITY
MEMBERS GET BACK TO THEIR JEWISH ROOTS!
Shoresh inspires and empowers our community to take care
of the earth by connecting people, land, and Jewish tradition.
Through our FOUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES, we give community members meaningful
opportunities to be responsible stewards of the world around us.

NATURE-BASED JEWISH EDUCATION TZEDAKAH FROM THE GROUND UP

Shoresh has developed a unique multi-faceted
Working with schools, shuls, camps, and community
approach to the Jewish value of tzedek (justice).
organizations, our hands-on programs at Kavanah
We grow local, organic produce for vulnerable
Garden, Bela Farm, and in the community elicit
community members, and provide training
experiences of awe in response to the wonders of the
for at-risk community members to grow their own
natural world, and teach participants how we can be
food so that they are empowered to be more
shomrei adamah (protectors of the earth).
resilient, food secure, and healthy.

ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION
At Shoresh, we put our Jewish environmental values
into practice! At Bela Farm we are planting a
20-acre Forest for the Future, and are stewarding a
4-acre bee sanctuary for our pollinator friends.
We are also creating and maintaining pollinator
garden spaces at Kavanah Garden,
the Wolfond Centre, and throughout the GTA.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
Bring the abundance of OUR fields to YOUR tables!
From honey for Rosh Hashanah to beeswax Chanukah
candles, we have sustainably-made products for
your family`s holiday celebrations throughout
the Jewish year!
TOP 5 HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2017
PLANTING THE FOREST FOR THE FUTURE AT BELA FARM
At Bela Farm, Shoresh is stewarding a 20-acre native reforestation project. This year we
planted over 11,000 native trees, many of which were sponsored in memory or honour
of loved ones. Over the course of its lifetime, each tree will mitigate the harmful effects
of excess carbon dioxide and its impact on global climate change; provide valuable
animal habitat; and leave future generations a beautiful forest that roots our
community in our local green spaces.

LAUNCHING THE SHORESH OUTDOOR SCHOOL

With grant funding and support from UJA`s Julia and Henry Koschitzky Centre for
Jewish Education and the WOW Grant Committee, we welcomed the first students
to the Shoresh Outdoor School, our innovative after school program combining
Jewish learning with the great outdoors! While exploring the Kavanah Garden and
adjacent ravine lands, students learn about Jewish values, rituals, and holiday
celebrations.

GROWING TIKKUN TEAS WITH JEWISH FAMILY AND CHILD

In partnership with Jewish Family and Child, Shoresh mentors enthusiastic young adults
facing adverse circumstances in urban agriculture and community building. Over the
past two years, we have built a social enterprise called Tikkun Tea where our youth
grow, harvest, dry and sell herbal teas.

SHARING BELAS BEES HONEY

For the last five years, Shoresh has been keeping honey bees in our apiary at Bela
Farm. From planting flowers to harvesting honey, all of our beekeeping work is done
with the support of with diverse community members. Currently hosting 30 hives
and approximately 450,000 bees, we were proud to share the pure honey from our
organic flowering fields with over 1200 families this Rosh Hashanah!

SHORESHS TAKING ROOT

25 Food and Drink Stations
+400 Community Members
+1 Great Organization
=1 AMAZING NIGHT!
Shoreshs annual Taking Root was a smashing success and a true celebration of all of the
ways Shoresh works TODAY for a healthier, greener TOMORROW.
 OUR TEAM
STAFF
Risa Alyson Cooper, Executive Director
Sabrina Malach, Director of Engagement
Jared Kaminsky, Interim Managing Director
Jodi Katzeff-Klein, Managing Director
Maya Stern, Youth and Family Program Coordinator
Tiferet Nashman, Events Coordinator
Chavva-Tal Rock, Educator
Juliana Isaac, Educator

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Adam Beder Zeke Kaplan Jillian Rodak (Chair)
Lisa Borden Alexandra Kuperman Ellen Rosenbluth
Shari Golberg Danny Richmond Leemor Valin

OUR COMMUNITY
PARTNERS GRANTORS AND SPONSORS
At Shoresh, we are thrilled to partner with MANY of Anonymous
the diverse and dynamic organizations that make up Berkman Charitable Trust
our vibrant community. Here are just some of our BDMJ Family Foundation
amazing partners from 2016 and 2017! Bill and Judith Rubinstein Charitable
Foundation
Binah Charitable Foundation
Borden Communications
Brenlee Robinson
Chisvin Family
City of Vaughan
Eco Canada
Edward Bronfman Memorial Legacy
Fund
Eli Klein and Miriam Erlichman
Endowment Fund
Emerald Foundation
Emmet Foundation
Government of Canada
Green Fischer Family Trust
Hazon
Kielcer Benefit Society
Lesniak Family
Henry and Bernice Kosansky Family
Foundation
Mauricio and Larissa Kuperman
Mazon Canada
Mill Street Foundation
Rochelle Reichart and Family
Sam and Gitta Ganz Family Foundation
Schecter Dental
Schulich Foundation
Strauss Family
Sustainability Ontario Community
Energy Co-op
TD Friends of the Environment
UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

For the FOURTH time, Shoresh is honoured to be

featured in the Slingshot Guides annual profile of
North Americas most innovative Jewish organizations!

Support Shoresh TODAY for a healthier, greener TOMORROW

Shoresh.ca
Shoresh Jewish Environmental Programs
36 Harbord Street
Toronto, ON M5S 1G2
T: 416-805-8382
Registered Charitable #: S5335 3613 RR0001