Join Beth El and Cahaba River Society for Reverse Tashlich

A Day of Reflection, Action, and Environmental Stewardship

 What Is Reverse Tashlich?

Reverse Tashlich transforms a symbolic High Holiday tradition into real-world environmental action. On Rosh Hashanah, Tashlich invites us to cast our “sins” into water. Reverse Tashlich turns this idea around by physically removing pollution from waterways, bringing spiritual cleansing and ecological healing together.

This event is hosted in partnership with Cahaba River Society, Tikkun HaYam – Repair the Sea, and funded in part by Repair the World.

 Why It Matters

Every year, millions of tons of plastic and waste threaten our rivers, oceans, and the life they sustain. Alabama’s rivers, including the Cahaba, face mounting threats from stormwater runoff and sedimentation to wastewater discharge that imperil water quality, habitat, and biodiversity. Reverse Tashlich gives us a way to do something real, something immediate. In Jewish tradition, we are commanded by the mitzvah of Bal Tashchit – “do not destroy” – a call to minimize waste and protect the world around us. Reverse Tashlich allows us to live out this mitzvah in a hands-on, meaningful way.

Let’s gather as a community to reflect, repair, and renew physically, spiritually, and environmentally.

 Why Join Reverse Tashlich Now?

Now more than ever, our local ecosystems need collective care. Reverse Tashlich is a step toward sustained, year-round environmental stewardship. It’s about reawakening our connection to nature, each other, and our tradition. Whether you’re reflecting, repairing, or simply joining in community, every person matters.

“It is not your duty to complete the work,
but neither are you free to neglect it.”
– Pirkei Avot 2:16

 Donate to Cahaba River Society: https://cahabariversociety.org/donations/donations/

 Event Details

 All participants must register and complete a waiver form.

https://www.templebeth-el.net/form/ReverseTashlich2025.html

Date:                   Sunday, September 28, 2025
Time:                   2:00–5:00 PM
Location:         Jemison Park, Birmingham, AL
Parking:            Shades Creek Plaza / Community Bank, 813 Shades Creek Pkwy (previously the Brownell Travel building)

 2:00 PM – Meet at the parking area for sign-in, safety talk, and equipment pickup

2:30 PM – Optional Tashlich ceremony with Rabbi Henkin

2:50 PM – Activities

• Cahaba River Society: Trash and invasive species cleanup
• Cahaba River Society: In-creek exploration (learn about fish and bugs)
• Cahaba Riverkeeper: Water quality testing and education
• Friends of Jemison Park: Local history & ecology

 Cleanup efforts will focus on the Shades Creek and Watkins Branch areas. It is a large area. Volunteers will help to shuttle people to/from farther away parts of the park. Three security guards will be present in a designated section of the park.

What to Bring

• Recommended:

Sunscreen

Sun hat

Bug spray

Reusable water bottle

• Optional:

Personal gloves

Closed-toe water shoes for optional in-creek clean-up and learning activities

(Crocs don’t count as closed-toe!)

• Provided by Cahaba River Society: Gloves, grabbers, trash bags
• Provided by Temple Beth El: water, snacks