For many of us growing up, it was traditional to plant tree in Israel through the Jewish National Fund (JNF). Another way to plant trees in Eretz Yisrael is to Plant Two Trees for Justice through T’ruah: The Rabbinical Call for Human Rights. Each $36 donation is marked by the planting of two trees, one in Israel and one in a Palestinian community on the West Bank, by students from North America spending the year in Israel studying to be rabbis and cantors.
To learn more about the background to T’ruah’s campaign, in response to questions about JNF activities, read here, and to donate visit this web page.
To plant trees in other places in the world and support sustainable communities, consider donating to any of these organizations:
One Tree Planted https://onetreeplanted.org
Trees for the Future https://trees.org
Trees Water People https://treeswaterpeople.org
From both a social justice and environmental perspective, the proposed asphalt plant is a very bad idea for our community. Many community groups have been effectively organizing against it including the Granite State Organizing Project, which is supported by our Tzedek Commmittee.
Mayor Jim Donchess of Nashua’s statement:
“I am opposed to adding an asphalt production plant to the property at 145 Temple Street, east of Nashua’s Main Street.
“An asphalt plant at that location would create detrimental environmental issues, add noise and traffic, all of which would have a negative impact on neighborhood residents. Furthermore, it is counter to our goal to evolve that area into a residential neighborhood.
“An asphalt production plant would impact nearby property values and is inconsistent with the City’s 2022 Master Plan and the East Hollis Street Master Plan, including a beautiful Rail Trail that is planned directly adjacent to the Newport property. We have engaged an appraisal firm to evaluate the impact an asphalt plant would have on surrounding property values.
“I am urging the Planning Board to consider the requirements of the overlay zoning and deny this petition.”
Action: Write to the planning board; share your concerns: PlanningDepartment@NashuaNH.gov.
Here is the website of the Planning Board: https://www.nashuanh.gov/613/Planning-Board
Read articles about the proposed plant from NHPR and the Union Leader.
The city of Nashua has negotiated with the EPA, the State of New Hampshire, and private developers to clean up the site of the former Mohawk Tannery next to the Nashua River. The site is on the EPA’s National Priorities list because of pollution that has remained untreated for the last 39 years.
Blaylock Holdings will built 546 units of housing, both apartments and condominium homes. Almost 50 apartments will meet affordable housing requirements and the developer will contribute more than $2 million to the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
The unpolluted 10 acres on the site will be given to the City for open space and recreation.
The cleanup costs will be shared with the EPA and the developer paying about two-thirds, and rest funded through governmental small business and housing loan sources.
Read a presentation of the plan here.
Action: Write the City of Nashua’s Department of Economic Development in support of this plan, and if you are Nashua resident write your representatives on the Board of Aldermen as well.
Department of Economic Development (Tim Cummings, Director): cummingst@nashuanh.gov
Contact information for ward and at-large Aldermen: https://www.nashuanh.gov/514/Board-of-Aldermen
Get involved with Dayenu: A Jewish Call To Climate Action