6th Annual TST Reverse Tashlich

Since Rosh Hashanah 2020, TST members have volunteered to clean up the Mystic River. We’ll join with more families and individuals from other temples in the watershed on one date only this year to cleanse our souls by removing trash down by the river (and lake) side. We will let you know the exact location a couple of weeks beforehand.

Throw your sins in the water for Tashlich, and then come join us at a time of your choosing, as individuals, with friends, or family members for Reverse Tashlich! Karen Grossman (karengrossman@shir-tikvah.org), Temple Shir Tikvah, is coordinating this effort with many temples in the Mystic River Watershed. Learn more here: https://mysticriver.org/events/2025/9/28/6th-annual-reverse-tashlich. Complete the online form to sign up: https://www.givepulse.com/event/645828.

We will report our results and send photos to the national Tikkun HaYam (“repairing the sea”) initiative https://www.repairthesea.org/ and have our results posted with others.

Eagles, alewives, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs ... and some sins...all in our backyard that can be carried to the ocean. Let’s start 5786 off right with this fun, outdoors, Tikkun Olam project!

“How to” of cleanups:
1) Wear long pants, closed toed shoes, and sun protection
2) Bring a water bottle
3) Refrain from picking up sharp items
4) Gloves, bags, and trash pickers will be provided

What more can you do about trash in our waters?

Keep your yard and local street storm water drain clean of all debris, especially trash. Leaves and dirt are also important to remove from the street storm water drains. These clog the drains and impede drainage. They also contain phosphates from inorganic fertilizers and poisons.

Avoid use of inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides also protect our environment from toxins. These toxins are flushed into our waterways via street storm water drains.

Refuse plastics and polystyrene (Styrofoam). Easy first steps include bringing your own reusable shopping bags. Nylon bags fit easily in your life. Usually, a local butcher will wrap meat or fish in wax coated paper and a plastic bag. But, that plastic bag can be used for containing trash properly disposed. Ask for paper containers for left-overs from restaurants.
Read an etude written a few years ago: https://www.jewishboston.com/read/earth-etude-for-elul-3-joining-50-years-of-mystic-river-