FEATURED JOBS
Comments (0)Protecting our environment and preserving our natural resources are key components of a green lifestyle. Taking political or individual action to fight pollution, supporting organic agriculture, and leaving a small “carbon footprint” are all essential and commendable.
In addition to environmental issues, today green living also addresses social responsibility through charitable giving. “Green” now speaks to caring for others as well as the Earth. Charity has become a new spiritual component in the “green lifestyle”. Tzedakah is also a fundamental spiritual component of a “Jewish lifestyle”.
To better appreciate the relationship between green living, rooted in charitable deeds, and Jewish living rooted in mitzvah, let’s consider a local organic company with both green and Jewish roots.
Live Life Organics (http://www.livelifeorganics.com), is a local green apparel company that focuses on a green lifestyle and charitable deeds. This Maryland LLC started four years ago and is family-owned (by my family in fact). Company members are part of the Jewish community that extends from Reisterstown to Columbia.
Recognizing this green-Jewish congruence from their own experience, the company used it as a driving force in shaping their mission and product design. They believe charitable and positive living evolves from spiritual growth and positive thinking. Consequently, they emphasize positive thinking, compassionate living and the beauty of life through features on their apparel.
All their organic apparel styles have two unique components. First, they promote spiritual growth and positive thinking by displaying inspirational messages on their apparel such as “Be Compassionate… True Beauty.”
This message validates the pure joy of charitable giving. Second, all of their clothing styles have plantable hangtags that recycle and grow into wildflowers, celebrating the beauty of life.
The company reflects their mission by moving from positive thinking to charitable deeds. Setting an example for customers and their own children, they have taken part in local walkathons for cancer, provided food for soup kitchens and donated dollars to several charities including the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Center for Autism.
They also designed an organic baby onesie for the Dr. Mani Children Heart Foundation (http://www.chdinfo.com). This special onesie includes a “Giving…hearts” message with the “giving hearts” shaped flags of many nations (see below). Web sales will support the cost of surgery for children in India born with life threatening heart defects.
“A charitable deed or mitzvah that everyone can afford is a helping hand and words of encouragement when they’re really needed. This simple, anonymous act is the purest form of charity representative of a Jewish and green lifestyle.” Stephanie Lavner, Company Founder
Bob Folkart and his family have long been active participants in Baltimore’s Jewish community. His family’s green apparel company was represented at the JCC’s at the Pearlstone Conference and Retreat Center.