02/11/2026
Tu B’Shevat Celebration Highlights Sustainability, Community Partnerships
Tom Gill, president of Urban Community School, event co-chairs Anna Novik and Scott Garson, and Patrick Kearns, executive director of Re:Source Cleveland
Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News
Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s community relations committee hosted its 2026 Tu B’Shevat Sustainability Celebration on Feb. 5 at Urban Community School in Cleveland, bringing together community members, environmental leaders and partners to honor the Jewish new year for trees through the lens of sustainability and collaboration.
Co-chaired by Scott Garson and Anna Novik, the evening emphasized the intersection of Jewish values, environmental responsibility and coalition building across Cleveland, according to a news release. The program opened with remarks from Tom Gill, president of Urban Community School, who shared insights into the school’s commitment to environmental practices and education. Rabbi Josh Jacobs of B’nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike offered reflections on the meaning of Tu b’Shevat and its connection to environmental stewardship.
Dinner featured a vegetarian, farm-to-table menu sourced in part from Ohio City Farm and prepared by Kantina in Lyndhurst, with compostable products provided by Green Paper Products and composting services by Rustbelt Riders – highlighting sustainability in action throughout the event.
Community Relations Committee Chair Alan Rosskamm welcomes guests to the event.
Patrick Kearns, executive director of Re:Source Cleveland, concluded the program with a presentation on Ohio City Farm, one of the nation’s largest and most productive urban farms, and its impact on food access and community resilienc, according to the release.
Attendees were able to build new relationships and explore partnerships that advance sustainability efforts citywide. The celebration reflected the Federation’s ongoing commitment to environmental leadership, community relations and shared responsibility for Cleveland’s future, according to the release.
“Tu B’Shevat reminds us that caring for the earth is a shared responsibility that transcends politics and backgrounds,” Novik said in the release. “Through the lens of this Jewish holiday of renewal and responsibility, we’re creating space for conversation, collaboration, and community – bringing people together across Cleveland to learn from one another and take meaningful, practical steps toward a more sustainable future. We’re proud to celebrate the incredible local partners and environmental leaders who make this work possible, and to share the values of the Cleveland Jewish community in a way that strengthens our city and our collective future.”
Attendees network and discuss new ideas for a greener Cleveland.
