Community
Yavneh pupils branch out into interfaith activity with tree-planting
February 8, 2017 16:56
Yavneh College pupils joined peers from two Muslim schools and a Christian school to demonstrate their commitment to the environment.
Boys and girls from the Borehamwood secondary travelled to Heartwood Forest in St Albans for the tree-planting ceremony in advance of Tu Bishvat, organised by Muslim Action for Development and Environment (Made), in partnership with the Woodland Trust, the Charter for Trees, and the Climate Coalition.
It was part of the Climate Coalition's “Show the Love” campaign, promoting appreciation of the environment.
Year nine Yavneh pupil Asaf said: “It was a good thing to do because different faiths often lack opportunities to come together. This was a great example of what can be achieved when we unite behind a common cause as a community and, in the process, do our part to help the natural world around us.”
Hayley Simon, head of Jewish studies at Yavneh, added: “I think it’s very important that teenagers are able to express their ideas from their religious point of view.
“Our children have gone along talking about how important the environment is from a Jewish point of view and talking about Tu Bishvat as a day to give back to the environment. It was a lovely experience.”
The other schools involved were Ebrahim Academy in Whitechapel, Islamia School in Brondesbury and Townsend Secondary in St Albans.
Lucy Bushill-Matthews, CEO of Made, said the event provided “opportunities for young people of different faiths to plant trees for the future and work together on social action projects that strengthen our communities”.
Rushanara Ali, Labour MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, said: “At a time of rising Islamophobia, antisemitism and intolerance, I commend the work of this interfaith alliance.”
