Archives: Newsletters

Categories
Cincinnati Environment Front Page Religion

FCGG event on June 14, 2026 – a guided tour of the Gorman Heritage Farm

Faith Communities Go Green’s Education/Lifestyles Working Group, as an initiative during Climate Week, is inviting people from the community to join us for an in-person guided tour of the Gorman Heritage Farm on Sunday, 14 th June, 2026, 3 – 6 PM. We’ll end the tour with an hour of fellowship over a potluck picnic.

The Education/Lifestyles Working Group educates and inspires members of the various faith and civic communities to change their lifestyles, whether by taking small steps or big, to reduce our individual and collective carbon footprint and collectively help our planet to become healthier and more sustainable.

The mission of Gorman Heritage Farm aligns with our values and the work we do. This farm is a non-profit working and educational farm with the mission to cultivate a healthy community through farm-based education and experiences about food, sustainable agriculture, and the natural world.

On our guided tour of the Farm, a paved loop of half a mile, our group will be led by a trained GHF Educator in activities such as planting a seed, tasting fresh vegetables from the garden, and meeting and petting farm animals. This tour is designed to give an overview of what happens at Gorman Heritage Farm while keeping our group moving and interacting with animals, gardens, history, and stories. Attending this event helps to support the farm to continue its mission and helps us all get a deeper appreciation of nature and the crucial role it plays in our daily lives.

Please click here to reserve your place in this guided tour: REGISTER

We will only be able to accommodate 50 people, so register soon. This event is especially kid-friendly. The paved path is wheelchair friendly, but the Farm does not have any wheelchair, so if you need one, please bring your own.

The Gorman Heritage Farm, founded in 1835, was once a family-owned farm, passed down through many generations of the Brown-Gorman Family. In 1996, the last remaining members of the immediate Gorman Family, Jim and Dorothy, passed the farm onto the community to remain an educational farm, leaving a legacy of teaching community members of all ages about where their food comes from. The farm has 122 acres filled with picturesque gardens, historic buildings, crop fields, and forested hiking trails.

GHF hosts annual events such as May Farm Fest in the spring, and the Sunflower Festival in the farm. They serve many schools with both Field Trips to the farm as well as Farm to Community programs bringing the farm directly to students in their classrooms. Families visiting the farm can explore on their own, or attend special programs about gardens, farm animals, and more. As a working farm, GHF grows almost 12,000 pounds of produce in the Market Garden annually, most of which goes to the CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture – a produce subscription that is purchased by community members in shares. Fresh and dried flower bouquets and farm-fresh eggs, meat, and honey can be purchased inside the Farm Shop as well.

Categories
Cincinnati International Collaboration Religion Youth

Interfaith Harmony Camp Has Lasting Impact on Cincinnati Youth

Cincinnati, OH — As I watched the other campers step over the line, it became clear that the differences so prevalent in my head were not just unique to me. They were shared. Learning that my emotions and experiences were part of something bigger than myself brought insight into many viewpoints I had as a camper and counselor. For three years, I have been part of a non-profit, interfaith organization called Friends for Good. Its mission is to help kids and young adults from diverse backgrounds connect with others through kindness, empathy, and dialogue. I started attending this camp as a naive freshman who had been part of the same group of friends for most of my life. We all grew up in similar neighborhoods, attended the same churches, and, for the most part, had the same skin color.

The summer my parents introduced the camp to me, I was hesitant at first, but eventually agreed to attend. On my first day, the only person I knew was my sister. It was daunting to introduce myself to kids I had never met. We all attended different schools, had unique interests, and came from entirely different religious backgrounds. After a period of awkward silence between campers, a girl named Marya approached me. She introduced herself and immediately hooked me with her sense of humor. After that, Marya and I spent every day laughing and swapping stories about our schools, friends, and parents’ struggles. As camp continued, we learned more about each other’s cultural and religious backgrounds, which unified our bond. She learned about what it’s like to be Episcopalian, and I learned about Islamic rituals, beliefs, and practices. The counselors also filled the camp with numerous activities like games, crafts, and discussion circles.

After a few days, they placed a strip of tape on the ground and told us to stand behind the line. We were told to close our eyes and cross the line when something resonated with our experiences. They started with easier questions, eventually building up to more uncomfortable prompts. I remember one came up that instructed us to step over the line if we had ever hidden a piece of ourselves to fit in. Along the line were kids of different religious backgrounds, beliefs, experiences, and abilities. However, almost every camper took that step.

Looking back on this formative experience reminds me of why I decided to major in international business. I want to continue learning about different cultures and religions to promote peace and ultimately contribute to the mission of international non-profits or NGOs with corresponding missions. This impactful experience has prepared me to follow my passion of international business at The University of Oklahoma. Overall, my experience with Friends for Good has strengthened my desire to pursue a career fueled by understanding and empathy. Stepping over that line revealed to me that our differences are most powerful when we let them unify us.

–//–

Interfaith Harmony Camp is happening again this year from July 27-31st. If you’d like to learn more about Interfaith Harmony Camp or register a young person you know, please visit Friends for Good’s website.

Categories
Cincinnati Citizenship Civil Rights Disabilities Peace Religion Service

Bending the Arc Toward Justice: Cincinnati Honors the Legacy of Dr. King for 51st Year

By: Katie Sellers

Cincinnati, OH — On January 19th, 2026 several hundreds of Cincinnati residents, faith leaders, and elected officials joined together to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The windchill was two degrees, when Rabbi Gary Zola welcomed marchers in front of the Freedom Center. For 51 years, residents of Cincinnati have honored Dr. King with a holiday march organized by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Coalition.

Like they have for half a century prior, they began the event with prayer.  “We always begin this march with prayer,” explained one speaker, because “faith was at the heart of what motivated people” in the civil rights movement. The leading prayers invoked the spiritual inspiration of Dr. King, first in the Baptist tradition and later in the nonviolent movement of India. Reverend Pastor Joaquin Marvin of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church offered the first prayer, while a priest from the Hindu Temple of Greater Cincinnati, Acharya Surendra Mishra, gave the next. Together, they led the crowd in prayers for justice, freedom, and peace, before beginning the walk from the Freedom Center to Washington Park. Those who were unable to walk, were invited to get on a “Rosa Parks Bus,” transportation provided by Metro for free, to transport attendees from the Freedom Center to Washington Park.

Those able to walk proceeded up Vine Street and over to Elm, as neighbors passed out warm drinks and hand warmers, and shouted friendly greetings from windows along the route. This kept the spirit warm, despite the cold outside.

The march concluded in Washington park, where more speakers prayed over the community, including leaders from Mt. Washington United methodist Church and the Islamic Center of Mason. As the crowd was invited to the next part of the day’s program in Music Hall, the final speaker reminded everyone to work together to “bend the arc toward justice.”

At Music Hall, the Red Cross passed out more warm drinks to attendees, as they entered the building, and inside, Trihealth offered free health checks at a row of tables set up in the lobby.

As the audience was let into their seats, musicians with Baba Charles and the Samba Band played songs from across the Afro-Caribbean diaspora and led the audience in a sing along, before making space for students from UC’s National Pan-Hellenic Council to welcome the community with dance.

The MLK Chorale and Youth Chorus provided music throughout the program, in between presentations by Mayor Aftab Pureval, youth poet Joi Burton, and public health leaders from TriHealth Center for Health Equity. ASL Interpreters offered live translation throughout the program, another sign that everyone was welcome here. The Director of the MLK Day Choral and Youth Chorus, Molly Brewsaugh, underscored this welcome, when she invited participants to join the choir. “If you ever wonder how you can make an impact…come and sign with us…. we would love to have you.”

TV broadcaster Courtis Fuller served as the Master of Ceremonies, reminding the audience from the start that “We need to tell those stories…we didn’t get her by ourselves.” He reminded the audience of great Cincinnati leaders in the fight for civil rights, several of whom had passed away in the year prior, including one Freedom Rider, Mother Rosemond, who passed away the night before. “What has come out of this movement is what we need the most…We have to remember to keep God first in this movement,” shared Mr. Fuller, before introducing the Archbishop of Cincinnati, Most Rev. Robert G. Casey, who gave the invocation.

Associate Professor of Africana Studies, Holly Y. McGee gave the keynote address, “Who needs LMK Day, anyways?” (Everyone, she was quick to point out.) Professor McGee is a scholar known for facilitating tough conversations with her students, because, as she explained, “There’s no comfort in the growth zone; there’s no growth in the comfort zone.” If we are to learn to respond to our civic moment, we need to become accustomed to discomfort.  “Justice is not a niche issue. It’s a shared civic responsibility.” Which is why, she explained, MLK Day is so important: “MLK Day is one of the few holidays that is built around a moral imperative…. dignity, equality, and the protection of every person’s rights.”

As we enter into this new year, when we might wonder if the arc of the moral universe really does bend toward justice, we would do well to remember that moral imperative and our responsibility to get involved so together in solidarity, we might help bend the arc.

—

If you would like to get involved with the MLK Day Coalition or support their work in Cincinnati, you can write to them at marketing@mlkcoalition.org or donate on their website at www.mlkcoalition.org.

 

 

Categories
Baha'i Cincinnati Front Page Interreligious study Religion Religious Practice

Baha’i Center Hosts Sacred Friendships Event

By Deb Vance

Cincinnati, OH — Two members of the Baha’i community in Cincinnati have worked on the steering committee for the Cincinnati Festival of Faiths since it began in 2018. After the success of our first Festival, the committee wanted to continue fostering our interfaith friendships by creating ongoing activities throughout the year giving us all opportunities to learn about each other’s faiths by visiting each other’s congregations, experiencing their worship services and having the opportunity to engage in question and answer sessions about their religions. Participating Faith members have included Hindus, Zoroastrians, Pagans, Jews, Indigenous Americans, Buddhists, Christians, Moslems, Sikhs, and Baha’is. Although we’re all still welcome to attend each other’s services and programs, we wanted to find ways to bring our community even closer together.

This year we’ve begun a dialogue model which should enable us to share our beliefs more fully. The first session of what we’re calling Sacred Friendships was held at the Baha’i Center in Cincinnati. After a potluck dinner, we broke into conversational groups of three or four people of different faiths who explore specific topics that are common among religions. As at other such gatherings, between 30 and 50 people attended each session.

The topic we chose was the Covenant which happens to be a central feature of the Baha’i Faith. We asked everyone to share their understanding of the covenant which their Prophet had made with God: what does it mean to you?  For Baha’is all covenants have two parts. The Greater Covenant is about the unchanging spiritual principles common among all faiths, exemplified by such words as, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Lesser Covenants are about each Prophet’s changes in calendars, diets, marriage and divorce, and other social details of the times in which They had lived. I learned from speaking with several Christians that the covenant isn’t as prominent in their teachings.

We all left the event having made new friendships and carrying with us some learnings about what we all have in common and areas where our religions differ.

Several Baha’is in southwest Ohio host interfaith discussion group. One which is convenient to the college is the Baha’is in Lebanon who host a monthly interfaith devotional/discussion group which meets on the third Sunday evening of the month. It begins with a potluck supper followed by readings and discussion on a given topic. If interested please contact for more information sylviahadley2@gmail.com or 937-623-2416.

Categories
Cincinnati Peace Philosophy Prayer Religion

Inviting Oneness: Listening for Our Shared Humanity

By Joey Taylor

Cincinnati, OH — What if the world’s fractures were not proof of our separateness but invitations to remember we belong to one another?

That question lives at the heart of Inviting Oneness, a podcast created by EquaSion, a non-partisan civic organization seeking to build a community of Faith and Friendship in Greater Cincinnati, where connection becomes belonging through affinity groups, community gatherings, and the Festival of Faiths.

Each episode of the podcast begins with a personal story where the illusion of distance gives way to the deeper truth of our shared humanity. Again and again, storytellers describe this movement from fear to friendship, from difference to kinship. A priest finds unexpected belonging with international students over coffee. A Muslim scholar reflects on the courage to hold one’s faith while honoring the convictions of others. A Jewish educator speaks of listening as sacred practice. A Hindu pilgrim discovers divine presence in the kindness of strangers. Their stories are diverse, yet the movement is the same: toward connection, curiosity, and compassion.

Deidre Hazelbaker, Executive Director of EquaSion, says “Inviting Oneness helps me reset and reconnect. These short, powerful stories are ideal for the morning commute, quiet moments at the end of the day, or any time you need a break. They call us to remember who we are to one another. We’ve been at these crossroads before, and we don’t have to repeat cycles of hate or violence. Each episode nudges us toward choosing connection, choosing courage, choosing our shared humanity. It’s a small practice with the power to shift how we move through the world.”

Through these conversations, Inviting Oneness becomes less a podcast and more a spiritual exercise in paying attention. Listeners are invited not simply to consume stories, but to notice the subtle ways oneness shows up in their own lives. The project suggests that unity is not the erasure of difference but a deep awareness of our interdependence. Oneness, in this light, is not agreement, it is recognition.

These voices compose a Cincinnati chorus that is diverse in creed but unified in spirit. Inviting Oneness is less about agreement and more about a combination of intention and attention. In listening to one another, we practice the possibility that compassion, curiosity, and wonder might yet hold us together.

In a time when fear too easily defines our public life, these stories remind us that the work of community begins with the willingness to listen. Real listening, what one guest called “laying down fear,” is itself a form of love. It allows us to see and be seen, to host one another across boundaries of belief, race, and experience, and to remember that the sacred is most often encountered in relationship.

EquaSion’s hope, and the hope of Inviting Oneness, is that these small circles of story will ripple outward: into congregations, classrooms, and coffee shops; into civic life and family life; into the places where oneness is still waiting to be noticed.

To listen and learn more, listen on your preferred podcast platform or watch on YouTube.

Categories
Cincinnati Front Page International Collaboration Islam

Cultivating Community Through Coffee, Cuisine & Culture By Empowering Spaces

West Chester, OH —In a world where connection often gets lost in the noise of busy schedules and digital distractions, Cultivating Community Through Coffee, Cuisine & Culture offered a refreshing reminder of the power of shared experiences led by two Muslim American community champions. Hosted by Empowering Spaces’ CoFounders, Dr. Samina Sohail and Shakila Ahmad PhD (h.c.) the program invited participants on a multi-stop cultural journey right here in Greater Cincinnati —fostering understanding and strengthening the region’s sense of community.

A Purpose-Driven Gathering

The Cultivating Community initiative was created with a clear vision: to foster immersive, experiential learning that inspires genuine connection. Participants explored how culture, the Islamic faith alongside others, and shared experiences shape the environment in which a stronger community — and ultimately, a stronger region — can be cultivated.

“Making time for joy and self-care isn’t separate from the work—it is the work. When we allow ourselves to enjoy, learn, and be curious together, real connection and community begin to grow,” an attendee shared.

Who Joined the Experience

The purposefully intimate group of attendees represented a remarkable cross-section of the region’s leadership — including corporate HR, local government, banking executives, nonprofit directors, small entrepreneurs, national sales leaders, regional chamber of commerce, healthcare professionals, and the media. Their participation reflected a shared commitment to building bridges across communities and industries through authentic engagement.

A Journey Through Culture

The day began at Moka & Co, a vibrant Yemeni coffee shop known for its warm hospitality and aromatic brews. Over cups of rich, spiced coffee, participants connected through conversation and reflection on community identity.

Next, guests ventured to Halal Market, an international food marketplace, where they embarked on a lively scavenger hunt that encouraged teamwork and discovery of global flavors. The experience highlighted the richness of the region’s growing multicultural communities, particularly from the MENA (Middle Eastern/North African) and South Asian region— and the ways food can unite people from all regions and walks of life.

The exploration continued with a guided art and architecture tour at the iconic Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati (ICGC), where participants learned about the Center’s mission, rich Muslim American heritage, Islamic design symbolism, and its role as a hub for interfaith and civic engagement.

Finally, the program concluded with a scrumptious lunch at Sultans, a local Turkish restaurant where attendees enjoyed authentic Mediterranean cuisine while reflecting on the day’s lessons in connection, culture, and community.

Reflections and Impact

One participant reflected,“This immersive experience felt like both an exploration of new cultures and a homecoming. Through the careful and intentional planning of each element, and through planned and impromptu conversations, we were able to learn, grow, and connect with one another. The time we spent together was a gift thanks to the openness, passion, and collaborative spirit of the organizers. In a world where divisiveness can feel overwhelming and disheartening, being able to cultivate community and lean into the richness of our shared humanity felt both essential and joyful. Great and thoughtful work!”

Another attendee added,“With Empowering Spaces, Shakila and Samina are building more than a program—they are building bridges. This initiative celebrates the rich tapestry of cultures that shape our communities and brings every resident into conversation; learning, growing, and connecting. When we truly understand one another’s stories, we empower our place that we call home.”

Looking Ahead

Building on the success of this program, Empowering Spaces is excited to announce the next Cultivating Community Through Coffee, Cuisine & Culture experience on November 15, 2025.

This program is ideal for professionals, educators, community leaders, and anyone passionate about authentic connection, cuisine, and cultural immersion. Whether you work in the corporate, nonprofit, academic, or public sector — or simply want to explore and learn — this event offers a welcoming space to engage meaningfully with the vibrant cultures that make up our region.

To register, visit the Eventbrite page at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1803384233789?aff=oddtdtcreator

Partial scholarships are available to ensure accessibility for all interested participants.

Join us — be bold, explore new cultures, and experience what it truly means to cultivate community.

Visit www.empowering-spaces.com to learn more about the important work of Empowering Spaces.

Categories
Cincinnati Religion

Friends for Good Hosts Annual Interfaith Summer Camp

Cincinnati, Ohio –Twenty-one middle and high school students came together for the 10th annual Interfaith Harmony Camp. Every day from July 28th through August 1st, we visited four different religious locations as well as one non-profit youth center.

We started our day by setting expectations with Rabbi David Burstein at ish. Rabbi David led a program on how we can enter new spaces and be mindful of how the physical structure can invite us into a spiritual experience.

On Tuesday, we visited Temple Shalom, where we baked challah bread together, played a ton of games, and learned some basics about Judaism, including the importance of the Torah.

Wednesday was a doubleheader where we learned about Zoroastrianism and Islam. We met at the Zoroastrian Center in the morning and then took a field trip to the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati. There, we spent time learning about the 5 Pillars of Islam, dispelled some common myths about the religion, and had the opportunity to sit and experience the inside of the mosque.

We then returned to the Zoroastrian Center, where Zoroastrian teens and tweens held a program for us. They went through each element of a Zoroastrian service and explained what everything meant. It was highly informative. Throughout the day, our camp kids were able to play games and learn together with the Zoroastrian kids, who were also hosting their annual camp that same week. It was a gift to spend an entire day together.

On Thursday, we spent time at Westwood First Presbyterian Church. We learned what it means to be Presbyterian and also got a lesson on their organ. Their organist came out and gave us a demonstration, and then many of our students had the opportunity to play the organ. They really enjoyed that.

Thursday evening, we held our annual Interfaith Potluck Dinner, which was amazing. About 40 people attended, and we ate great food, heard from some of the students, and simply enjoyed time together.

We spent our last day of camp at the Music Resource Center in Evanston. It was a great way to end the week, as we learned about music production and did a service project. We packed school supplies and wrote a personal note of encouragement for each student. Afterward, we brainstormed further service work and fun activities we would like to do moving forward.

In total, we had six religions represented, spanning students from 5th grade through 11th grade. They did a great job entering each lesson with curiosity. By the numbers, it was our largest showing of youth in a few years. We will offer several more opportunities for students to come back together again for more learning, service, and fun. We already hosted a presentation on what is happening in Israel and Palestine, and a few students returned for that.

We’re excited about what’s ahead. With the continued support of your organization and a growing group of individual donors, we’re confident that we will be able to offer interfaith and intercultural education for years to come. Thank you!

When asked about the camp experience, here are a few responses from the campers:

“I learned about spiritual stuff and it calmed me down and I found purpose.” – Arielle

“Something meaningful that happened to me today is that I made friends and had a good time.” – Rex

“I met new friends and that was meaningful to me.” – Ivy

“I learned how to take care of the earth better”  – Rose

“I liked camp because it is fun and meaningful and you should try it out.” – Nyla 

“Camp is very fun, everyone is nice and inclusive, you will share lots of laughs and make memories that you will cherish for life.” – Zoe

“Camp is a great way to learn about other cultures and meet new friends” – Asher

“I met new friends and I was able to bond with people I never would have met anywhere else.” -Eden

“Friends for good has given me the opportunity to meet new friends from all different backgrounds.” -Moriah

And when we asked parents about camp, they had this to say:

Friends for Good has given my kids invaluable and lasting friendships. They have learned about different religions and traditions and were also able to share their own. The mutual understanding and empathy gained from this experience is invaluable. I would have loved to have this opportunity when I was younger. -Melissa, parent

This camp has been an excellent opportunity for my daughter to explore various religions and their practices. As you are aware, we reside in a highly volatile world where acceptance is virtually nonexistent. This camp serves as a valuable bridge that facilitates cross-cultural understanding. It is an exceptional way to spend a portion of the summer. – Regina, parent

I found them (lunch and dinner during Thursday of camp) to be positive and uplifting gatherings and am very impressed with your leadership, caring, and commitment to facilitate faith building in others.  The kids were great and had caring and energetic wonderful attitudes to share.  I’m so glad I had the opportunity to be involved! – Mary Ellen, volunteer

Categories
Cincinnati Front Page Homelessness Religion Service

Building Hope and Homes: Habitat’s Mission in Greater Cincinnati

Cincinnati, Ohio — A decent, stable home is more than just a place to live, it’s the foundation for a brighter future. Habitat for Humanity understands this deeply, and in Greater Cincinnati, we are dedicated to creating opportunities for affordable homeownership for families in need of a decent place to live.

Founded in 1986,  we have built more than 700 homes across an 8 county region in Southwest Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.  With the support of volunteers, donors, and community partners, we help build and repair homes, ensuring that more people have the opportunity to live in safe, dignified conditions.

The Affordable Homeownership Program partners with first-time homebuyers to build affordable homes for families who otherwise might not have access to homeownership. These families work alongside volunteers, contributing sweat equity while gaining valuable skills and a deep sense of ownership in their future homes. Habitat homebuyers then purchase the home from Habitat with an affordable mortgage, achieving stability and independence.

Beyond new home construction, Habitat also supports our community through our Critical Home Repair programs; an effort to ensure that seniors & veterans can continue to reside safely in their homes and their communities especially as they age. Through these programs, essential repairs such as accessibility modifications, roof replacements, and plumbing fixes help individuals maintain safe, stable housing.

We also operate six Habitat for Humanity ReStores, nonprofit home improvement stores that sell new and donated furniture, appliances, and building materials at reduced prices. Revenue from ReStores directly supports Habitat’s mission, allowing us to partner with more families while reducing waste and promoting sustainability.

Faith communities play an integral role in our work. Congregations across Greater Cincinnati have come together to volunteer, fundraise, and advocate for housing justice. Whether it’s organizing volunteer days, contributing to home sponsorships, or spreading awareness, people of all backgrounds and beliefs unite in the common goal of making housing accessible for everyone.

For those looking to make an impact, there are many ways to get involved: volunteering on build sites, shopping at ReStores, donating, or simply helping us spread the word about our mission. If you’re part of a congregation interested in collaborating with Habitat, we’d love to connect and explore opportunities to work together.

Together, we can ensure that more families have a safe and stable place to call home, building stronger communities one home at a time. To learn more, visit Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati.

Categories
Cincinnati Environment Religion

A Recognition for Faith Communities Go Green

The Green Cincinnati Plan Seeds of Change Grant Program’s Spring 2025 Open Call round, awarded to Faith Communities Go Green, a Collaboration of Green Umbrella and EquaSion

 The Green Cincinnati Plan Seeds of Change Grant Program’s Spring 2025 Open Call round received more than 4 times the number of requests than funding available.  Faith Communities Go Green’s proposal, regarded highly by the review committee, has been awarded Full grant funding.

Project Title: Energy Audits for Building Climate Resilience in Houses of Worship

 Brief Project Description: Provide free professional energy audits for 7 to 10 Cincinnati houses of worship serving priority neighborhoods to unlock funding for energy upgrades, reduce emissions, and strengthen their role as trusted hubs for community resilience.

Neighborhoods Engaged: Mt. Airy, Evanston, Avondale, Bond Hill, Paddock Hills, College Hill

 Amount Awarded: $ 18,076.00

On June 5th at the 12 Annual Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit, Green Umbrella recognized 2 organizations and 3 individuals or their impact, innovation, and leadership. An additional special honor, the Sustainability Achievement Award, given only once before, was awarded to Joanne Gerson for her lifetime work in environmental sustainability.

Joanne Gerson has dedicated her life to environmental stewardship, inspired by the Jewish principles of Tikkun Olam—repairing the world—and a deep belief in interfaith collaboration for the common good. As Founder and Co-Chair of Faith Communities Go Green (FCGG), Joanne has galvanized over 100 faith communities across Greater Cincinnati to take meaningful climate action through energy efficiency, education, and civic engagement. Her leadership has been instrumental in launching FCGG’s four working groups—Education & Lifestyles, Facilities, Advocacy, and Member Engagement. Among these efforts, she co-leads an Energy Efficiency Initiative that helps houses of worship lower their utility bills and drive community resilience.

Joanne’s sustainability journey spans more than four decades. She helped pioneer environmental education at the Cincinnati Zoo with the founding of KinderZoo in 1979 and the Super Saturday enrichment program in 1981, both of which still thrive today. She has shaped municipal zoning to better protect local waterways and helped create educational resources on sustainable land use across Hamilton County. Within her own faith community, she founded the Rockdale Temple Environmental Committee and later Shomrei Olam, a regional Jewish environmental initiative that inspired broader interfaith efforts.

From furniture upcycling to policy advocacy, Joanne has modeled how passion, education, and persistence can shape more sustainable systems. Her tireless volunteer leadership, innovative spirit, and unwavering commitment to environmental justice make her a most deserving recipient of the Sustainability Achievement Award.

Categories
Christianity Cincinnati Environment Judaism

Discover Cincinnati’s Foodshed: An Art Atlas

By: Robert Alan Wight, PhD

Cincinnati’s Foodshed: An Art Atlas is a visually stunning and thought-provoking exploration of our food economy. This collection explores the past, present, and future of our foodshed, blending original artwork, storymaps, timelines, historical insights, and community-driven research, all wrapped into a beautiful coffee table book. This project celebrates the people, innovations, and businesses that have shaped our regional, national, and international food landscape. As a collaborative endeavor, the stories shared highlight the farmers, gardeners, chefs, policy makers, advocates, non-profits, and educational institutions working to create a more just and sustainable food system.

The Atlas is composed of three main sections – past, present, & future. The past illuminates the First American Nations and European settlers, showcasing indigenous knowledge, the impacts of the African Plant Diaspora and the introduction of European style agricultural. Gain an appreciation for how geography and innovation helped Cincinnati rise as the “Queen of the West,” building on the Shakers’ agricultural advances, the creation of the Poland-China Pig Breed, invention of the disassembly line, growth of pork packing, founding of Procter & Gamble, and our region’s early leadership in viticulture and beekeeping. Cincinnati birthed several impressive food empires and related business – from Kroger, Castellini and Kahn’s, to Fleischmann’s Yeast, and our confectionary, dairy, and brewery industries including United Dairy Farmers, Greaters Ice Cream, Cincinnati style chili, Christian Moerlein and La Roses Pizza to name a few.

From a faith and cultural lens, Cincinnati is the home of Reform Judaism and where Manischewitz invented the mass production of Matzo. The Protestant Work Ethic is exemplified in the success and philanthropic nature of our German Immigrant Beer Barrons – most from the Bavarian region. These titans of the brewing industry helped to change the style of, and the way America consumed beer. The Catholic presence is seen in the invention of the Filet-o-Fish for the McDonalds Menu, an item that had such success, it is now a permanent offering.

The Present section dives into the food movement, sharing stories about saving soil, and preserving greenspace and farmland. Here, readers can engage with a smell map of the lower Mill Creek highlighting industrial food production sites, see where our butcher shops use to be, learn about the restaurants sourcing locally, and discover the direct impacts of redlining regarding current day food desserts. There are chapters on Food Mapping, our food waste and recovery efforts, and local food production. The last two chapters of this section pay homage to our institutions promoting agriculture education and permaculture, such as the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Cincinnati Public Schools, the Civic Garden Center, several Colleges and Universities, and the Cincinnati Permaculture Institute.

Finally, the Future section invites the reader to dream of broader system and food system changes over the next 30 to 50 years. What if we had fully implemented the planning designs and inspirations from the Garden City Movement more than 100 years ago, where food production was woven into the fabric of our cities and suburbs? What if Cincinnati had completed its Subway and continued to build affordable housing and planned communities, such as the Village of Mariemont (planned in 1921) and the Village of Green Hills (1930s)? What if we followed Permaculture Design and Living Building Challenge Principles for these developments? Imagine if our dwellings, offices, schools, and government buildings generated renewable energy, captured and used rainwater, grew food in their landscapes, and were constructed using materials that are environmentally friendly?

If you enjoyed reading about these topics and stories, please dive deeper and discover the richness of the Atlas for yourself by visiting our website – Cincinnatifoodatlas.com.

 

Join us for Fruit Fest!

Where: Urban Artifact – 1660 Blue Rock St, Cincinnati, OH 45223

When: Friday, August 15th 4 – 8 pm

What: Panel of foragers, orchardists, & fruit fanatics, 4 – 5 pm

Open to the public, free of charge, with food trucks on site.