We are excited to announce that Shomrei has been accepted into this year’s Synagogue Vegan Challenge, sponsored by the Jewish Animal Advocacy organization, Shamayim.

Shamayim started the Vegan Challenge in 2017. Shomrei is part of its 9^th and largest cohort thus far and the 3^rd synagogue in New Jersey to participate. The mission of the challenge is to provide training, education, and funding for Jewish communities to incorporate vegan programming. As a participating synagogue, Shomrei will receive a grant from Shamayim for hosting one completely vegan event a month that also includes an education component focused on food justice.

Shomrei’s involvement began with an email to Rabbi Julie with the subject “Need some more funding for your Shul Kiddush Budget?”.  This seemed like a creative way to fund some of the unsponsored kiddushes but we also realized that there might be pushback from people who look forward to the egg and tuna salads. Our plan, instead, is to use the funds for a variety of different events throughout the year rather than using the funds exclusively – or even at all — for Shabbat kiddush.

Our first Vegan Challenge event was a Shabbat afternoon study session on September 20^th with a vegan Seudah Shlishit (third meal). Our next event will be a Holiday Kiddush in the sukkah after the Shemini Atzeret & Yizkor service on October 14.

Shomrei has no plans to become completely vegan and this is not the expectation of the Vegan Challenge. Rather the aim is to encourage our community to become more mindful about eating and think about the impact of the food choices we make. Throughout the year, we will both enjoy delicious plant-based food and learn about food justice issues such as: equitable access to healthy food, ethical treatment of animals, environmental sustainability, and fair labor practices for workers within the food system.

If you would like to be involved with planning the programs and learning opportunities for the Synagogue Vegan Challenge, please contact Sarita Eisenberg, .