As educators, we have a responsibility to provide stability, security and opportunities for growth to our students. If we bombard them with dire warnings of environmental catastrophe, we risk overwhelming them rather than inspiring them. This does not mean we ignore the real challenges facing our world, but our role is to cultivate meaningful experiences that allow students to fall in love with nature through a Jewish lens—and deepen their love for Judaism through nature. This symbiotic relationship fosters true and lasting commitment to environmental stewardship.
The Psychological Toll of Fear-Based Approaches
Research shows that fear, while an adaptive emotion that helps mobilize resources in response to immediate danger, can become maladaptive when it exceeds the actual threat, persists beyond the danger, or leads to avoidance behaviors. Constant exposure to fear-based messaging can impair cognitive functions, making it difficult to process information, plan and make sound decisions. Moreover, when individuals experience high levels of anxiety, they enter a survival mode where meaningful engagement and long-term commitment to change become unlikely.
This is why our entire educational pedagogy at GrowTorah is built on fostering deep connections with the world around us through the lens of the Torah and the weekly parsha. We must first immerse ourselves in the beauty of the natural world before we can genuinely engage in the work of protecting it. If we rush into action purely out of fear, that motivation is unsustainable. Worse, it can lead to entrenchment in ideological positions rather than bridge-building, which is crucial for meaningful environmental work.
Rooted in Values
In our post-October 7 reality, fear and anxiety are already deeply ingrained in many aspects of our lives. Adding more fear-driven narratives about the environment can be counterproductive, making it even harder for people to care and take action. At GrowTorah, we anchor every lesson in one of our four core values: incubating Emunah, cultivating compassion for all creatures, Earth stewardship, and living tzedakah. When people feel personally connected to something, their dedication to its well-being becomes intrinsic, not imposed. When we see all beings as interconnected and gifts from Hashem, we understand our role in this world much more holistically.
Every encounter with the wonders of creation is a chance to reflect and repeat the words of King David (Psalms 104:24): How many are the things You have made, O Lord; You have made them all with wisdom; the earth is full of Your creations.
We do not ignore the problems, but we persist in our mission. Our pedagogy is rooted in the Torah mandate of Le’ovdah uleshomrah—to work and to protect (Breishit 2:15). One cannot truly protect the environment without first engaging with it. Environmental solutions must be informed by hands-on experience. If you have never stuck your hands in the soil, your understanding of ecological issues remains theoretical. But if you have toiled in the dirt, you know firsthand that it requires patience, resilience, collaboration, and a lot of faith.
The Healing Power of Nature
Beyond fostering commitment, a connection to nature is inherently healing. The popular phrase “touch grass” is more than just internet slang—it is backed by psychological research. Positive experiences in nature, along with outdoor learning, have been shown to increase one’s sense of connectedness to the natural world. This connection is not just beneficial for the environment—it is essential for our own wellbeing.
By placing Torah values and hands-on experience at the heart of our efforts, we transform environmental responsibility from an obligation into an opportunity. Each student cultivates a relationship with Hashem’s creations that nourishes both the world and our souls. In doing so, we build a future where stewardship of the Earth is not born of fear, but of deep and abiding love for the gifts Hashem has entrusted to us, and strengthens our individualized spiritual connections to God and Judaism.