What Can We Do?

By Adam Shery
Middlesex County College

The Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam, or repairing the world, is at the forefront of topics discussed among Jews today. While there are many prominent ethical problems in need of "repairing," I feel that the most literal meaning of Tikkun Olam is the healing, or more accurately, the saving of humanity itself, by way of the environment.

Each time I drive on the New Jersey Turnpike, I see several factories emitting large plumes of smoke, making great portions of the sky near the highway invisible. I can't help but think that these are nothing in comparison to the number of factories around the world emitting at least this much toxic waste.

When we throw out a piece of garbage, do we really have any idea where it ends up or how long it might take to decompose? What about the animals which may choke on our garbage in the meantime? How many of us leave the water running while brushing our teeth? Each time we drive a car, how many of us actually contemplate the damage that we may be doing to the ozone layer, the very layer that shields humans from ultraviolet rays?

We can remedy environmental problems, or at the very least, prevent them from becoming worse, by paying careful attention to our everyday actions. We may think twice before driving two blocks to a friend's house. We could make a point of running shower water to rinse only. Residing in an area with no recycling shouldn't be a green light to throw recyclable items into garbage cans, but instead can be compensated for by finding a recycling center.

If we preserve our environment today, our descendants will have a safe world in which to live. They will be able to look back and be grateful for our efforts in the name of Tikkun Olam.

Adam Shery, a history major, will be graduating from New Jersey's Middlesex County College in May and will be transferring to a 4-year university next fall. He plans to pursue a master's degree in library science.

[Posted 1/8/08]