Evonne Marzouk

Silver Spring, Maryland

Votes for Evonne Marzouk: 425

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Tell us about your nominee. Why should he or she be recognized as a Jewish Community Hero?

Evonne is the founder of Canfei Nesharim (www.canfeinesharim.org): "sustainable living inspired by the Torah." Connecting traditional Torah texts with contemporary scientific findings, Canfei Nesharim educates and empowers Jewish individuals, organizations and communities to take an active role in protecting the environment, in order to build a more sustainable world for our children and all people. Recently selected by The New York Jewish Week as one of the "36 under 36," Evonne has provided ongoing passion, drive, vision, and leadership in the development of Canfei Nesharim. Over the last seven years, Canfei Nesharim has demonstrated an ability to tap into the wisdom of the Jewish tradition on Jewish environmental topics, and to engage its audience to live the wisdom of this tradition and act to protect the environment.

What problem did your nominee identify in the community that needed to be solved? How has your nominee's efforts made a difference for others?

Today, our unsustainable way of living is causing environmental problems unparalleled in history. The Jewish tradition contains far-reaching teachings which address the environmental challenges we face today. Yet most Jews are not living that wisdom as part of their day-to-day lives. As environmental challenges move to the fore of public consciousness, the time is ripe to bring a uniquely Jewish ecological perspective to the table. Canfei Nesharim's high-quality educational resources empower individuals, lay leaders and Jewish educators to lead environmental change in synagogues and schools across the United States, and around the world.