Writings
This page contains writing for sale, and links to articles archived online on the Internet. Only a small portion of my published articles have links here. Over time I may add more. Some articles cannot be linked to because they were not archived by the publication, such as most of my articles for the Arizona Daily Star, because their agreement with freelance writers prohibits the paper from listing these in their pay-for-view archive.
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My monthly E-News gives a heads-up about current publications. You can sign up at the box at the top of the page.
Article Links --click on category links below
Landscape as Sacred Design, Sacred Foods, and Sustainable Living
Landscape as Sacred Design, Sacred Foods, and Sustainable Living
Landscape
as sacred design: taking inspiration from the Temple
and Tabernacle, Arizona Jewish Post, Sept.
28, 2007.
This article draws upon earlier articles below and also
is intended to make connections between sacred space
and sacred foods. The interfaith Sacred
Foods Project promotes greater understanding about
how to grow, process and market food according to religious
teachings and ethics. In our region of Southern Arizona,
we are able to make a deep connection with the foods
of several faith through growing biblical plants.
Deuteronomy 8:8 describes the land of Israel as: "A land of wheat, and barley, and [grape] vines; of fig trees and pomegranates; a land of olive oil and [date] honey." At Shavuot, only offerings of the first fruits (bikkurim) of these species were brought to the Temple in Jerusalem, even though many other plants grew in Israel.
This series of articles for the Arizona Jewish Post on growing the seven species (Shevat HaMinim) begins with the harvest of wheat on Shavuot: Chaverim Shavuot harvest teaches adults and kids charity, gratitude, June 24, 2005.
Desert harvest: Growing the fruit of the vine in Tucson, Aug. 12, 2005.
Tucsonan's fig tree a source of healing and inspiration, Oct. 21, 2005.
Pomegranates, native to Israel, do well under Tucson sun, April 21, 2006.
From Israel to Tucson: growing date palms is an adventure, Sept. 29, 2006.
Burning olive oil commemorates miracle, Dec. 15, 2006.
Barley matzah recreates bread of our ancestors, March 9, 2007
Addiitonal biblical plants are discussed in: Gardening here and there: Tucson and Israel share climate, crops, Arizona Jewish Post, April 20, 2007.
Also consider how
Sonoran Desert plants may be incorporated into ritual: Where do Southwestern mesquite pods fit in the Tu B’Shevat Seder? Arizona
Jewish Post, Jan. 26, 2007,
Creating a more environmentally-friendly Seder honors spirit of holiday, Arizona
Jewish Post, Jan. 26, 2007
To learn about prickly pear in Arizona and Israel, see the introduction of: Healing holiday: Tu B’Shevat focuses desert-dwelling Jews on environmental ethics, Tucson Weekly, Jan. 17, 2002, p. 14. (cover).
Sustainable living
is also about how we direct water to plants by contouring
the land and collecting roof runoff. To learn more, see:
Local woman creates a haven in the Tucson desert, Arizona Jewish Post, Aug.
27, 2004. p. 24.
For Rose, family and Judaism not always in sync with nature, Arizona Jewish
Post, Aug. 27, 2004. p. 27.
Store extends ‘green’ concept, Arizona Jewish Post, Aug. 27, 2004. p.
27.
To learn more about
solar options, see:
Tucson
Hebrew Academy gets solar boost with help of
TEP and SAZ COEJL, Arizona Jewish Post, June
29, 2007.
To learn about labyrinths
as part of gardens, see: Walking
local labyrinths can enhance spiritual connections, Arizona
Jewish Post, June 30, 2006.
Seasons of the Year
Rosh HaShanah
Wishing ourselves a sweet new year: intention in the Jewish tradition,
Hanukkah
Burning
olive oil commemorates miracle, Dec. 15, 2006.
Rededicating our homes, lives. (focus on decluttering)
Tu B'Shevat
Where do Southwestern mesquite pods fit in the Tu B’Shevat Seder? Arizona
Jewish Post, Jan. 26, 2007,
Creating a more environmentally-friendly Seder honors spirit of holiday, Arizona
Jewish Post, Jan. 26, 2007
Purim
Purim is about interconnectedness (interview with Rabbi Miles Krassen)
Passover
Barley matzah
recreates bread of our ancestors, March 9, 2007