Parashat Bemidbar
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Plant a Tree

As part of our Dorot initiative, we proudly celebrated the planting of two groves, each consisting of 750 trees, at Green Farm in Norfolk. This significant achievement is part of a larger environmental project led by the Woodland Trust. The two groves were dedicated to meaningful causes: one to commemorate the Coronation of the King and Queen and the other in memory of the victims of 7th October.

All trees that were bought by our communities were planted together in dedicated groves within a new 119 acre native woodland that was created by the Woodland Trust in Norfolk. These groves have created a unique Jewish environmental legacy here in the UK.

The trees were selected, planted and maintained by the Woodland Trust at this protected site to maximise the ecological benefits.

This inspiring act of gemilut chasidim (loving-kindness) united donors from across the full spectrum of United Synagogue communities and beyond, including individuals from outside the Jewish community. Trees were planted in honor of loved ones, family members, and communities, creating a living legacy for future generations.

This initiative not only strengthens our connection to the land but also embodies our shared responsibility to care for the environment. Together, we have contributed to a greener, healthier future, ensuring a lasting impact for years to come.

Trees contribute enormously to our environment by absorbing harmful CO2, providing oxygen and ameliorating the climate, improving air quality, conserving water, preserving soil, and supporting wildlife. The 1,400 trees planted in our groves will sequester approximately 1,400 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in 20 years’ time (one 20-year-old tree will typically sequester one ton of carbon which is 3.67 tons of CO2 roughly equivalent to a year’s CO2 footprint for one person in the UK). At the UN Climate Summit 2019 it was decided that over 11 billion trees will be needed to be planted to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and mitigate global warming. Here in the UK, 50 million trees need to be planted to detoxify our air and restore lost wildlife habitats.

The new 119 acre Woodland has been created on treeless farmland in the beautiful village of Thompson, Norfolk. The trees planted in the United Synagogue groves have significantly increased tree coverage in one of the most tree depleted parts of the UK, and provide:

  • Wetland areas where native trees like Willow and Alder can colonise
  • Pingo Ponds (post-glacial depressions formed at the end of the ice age), supporting threatened wildlife such as; water plants, dragonfly species, aquatic snails and England’s rarest amphibian the Northern Pool frog and the Crested Newt
  • Habitats for ‘Red Listed’ Biodiversity action plan bird species

The Woodland Trust  aim is to plant over 140,000 native trees to create a woodland which will be complemented by wet and dry grasslands, wood pasture and hedges, as well as open space and a network of paths. All these elements will work together to act as a buffer for the adjacent SSSIs (Site of Special Scientific Interest), improving the area  for the many rare and protected species who call it home.

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