Adina Roth, Head of Jewish Life

A Sustainable Team Effort

Our Staff Development Day fell fortuitously this year on Tu B’shvat, the Jewish environmental holiday which commemorates the birthday of the trees. As part of our leadership development, the entire staff of Emanuel School spent the afternoon at Our Big Kitchen (OBK), making an environmental contribution to our world through the ancient art of vegetable pickling.

The OBK staff explained the pickling process, as well as its sustainable and health benefits. We ‘saved’ vegetables which had been decreed for landfill due to their odd shape or size, by mixing them with vinegar, salt, sugar and spices and then bottling the resulting mix.

Our environmental efforts were linked to social welfare as the bottles of pickled veggies were earmarked for a First Nations community, linking our environmental pickling with issues of social and economic justice. It was a very hot day, and yet the staff showed great enthusiasm for the cause.

We cut, shredded, pickled, cleaned and even made cookies to be sent to Ronald McDonald House, all in record time.

Importantly, every staff member attended the event – our Principal, our teachers, our administration staff and our maintenance team. As every individual played their part on the day, so do they play an essential role in creating the warm and welcoming school that is Emanuel.

Staff chopping and shredding veggies in preparation for the pickling process and creating fun cookie shapes for families at Ronald McDonald House.