Even in down economic times, there is evidence that the scarce dollars being distributed by philanthropists are sprinkled among green organizations. And it’s organizations such as Jewish Farm School in New York are the recepients.
Launched in 2005 with $5,000, JFS aims to connect Jews with farming and growing their own food. Today, it has a budget of $110,000 and is growing rapidly. It’s launched a consulting arm that assists Jewish Day Schools, synagogues, and other Jewish groups in developing sustainable gardens. A story in New York’s The Jewish Week attributes the growth to a general rising interest among Jewish groups in general on environmental issues.
“We’re in the right place at the right time,” Nati Passow told The Jewish Week. “There’s a growing interest in sustainability and the environment…. If the economy was stronger, we might be growing faster.”
That the growing interest is real is supported by lots of anecdotal evidence (the broad number of faith groups involved in green issues (see “Green Religious Organizations”), the high profile of religious organizations at the coming meeting in Copenhagen, and the large number of D.C. based religious environmental groups. Tracking the money is trickier, however. I am not aware of studies that trace giving to religious environmental groups from, say, 2000 to present. Do you? Let us know.