Coastal Cleanup

 On Sept. 26, 2021, NYSMEA held a cleanup in cooperation with the American Littoral Society.  Citizen scientists collected litter and debris at Jones Beach State Park and recorded what they found for submission to the International Coastal Cleanup. Over 100 people participated from several groups and the general public.

Several groups volunteered including Hofstra University's Hillel, the Jewish student organization on campus.  Over 50 students and administrators participated under the direction of Rabbi Dave Siegel.

On Rosh HaShana, Jews around the world participate in the ancient ritual of Tashlich. They go to a body of water and symbolically cast off the sins of the past year by throwing bread crumbs into the water to start the New Year with a purity of heart. However, this is not the only time humans cast their "sins" into the sea.  Every year, millions of tons of human-made trash enter the water, posing health and safety hazards to the animals that call the sea their home. Marine debris is a blatant violation of the fundamental Jewish ethical principle
Bal Tashchit ( Do Not Destroy.) Repair the Sea is adding a modern ritual to the Jewish tradition: a local cleanup! More

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Some of the Hofstra University Hillel students 

Rabbi Dave Siegel (right) and other Hofstra administrators and staff assisted.

Students from Ryu's Martial Arts School joined the others.  Special thanks to Kim Ryu, the office manager came donated extra clipboards, pencils and gloves.

Students from Jericho High School Ecology Club carefully weighed and
recorded their collection.

The students proudly display their well earned certificates!

We even got to examine and identify some organisms!

It was a great day!  A broad mix of citizen scientists participated to clean the beach and increase our knowledge of the state of pollution in our local area.  Please consider joining one of our, or the many events, organized by the American Littoral Society to increase awareness of the marine environment. For more information about NYSMEA events including cleanups go to www.NYSMEA.org or our Facebook page or follow us on Instagram or Twitter @nysmareed

Go here for additional pictures from 9/16