Over just a few decades, humans have managed to dump tons of plastics into the ocean that take thousands of years to decay. Estimates are that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean, by weight, than fish.
Mensch together with the Temple Israel have designed a Bnei Mitzvah programme that includes an environmental project to address this crises. Specifically, to inspire and motivate our children to see the connections between our actions and the state of our world, and to take ownership.
The project inspires kids to learn through research; to do through experiencing a beach clean-up; to be creative by developing awareness campaigns; and to celebrate their Bat/Barmitzvah day by sharing what they learned.
And so the story of the beach clean-up began. On two rainy days in June and August and together with Mensch Member Danielle Klaff, the Bnei Mitzvah kids together with friends and family cleaned the Hout Bay beach.
Through this positive, purposeful, fun and shared experience the group could see the amount of plastic washed up from the sea and littered on the beach and began to better understand this issue, and how we can affect change through our actions.
