Welcoming the Hebrew Month at Coastal Roots Farm
By Cantor Rebecca Joy Fletcher, Director of Jewish Life
Adar and the Jewish Ecological Calendar
At Coastal Roots Farm, we know that Jewish time and ecological awareness are deeply intertwined. Our monthly blog series, New Moon Musings, honors each Rosh Chodesh—the new moon that marks a new month in the Jewish lunar calendar. As the moon renews, so do we, anchored in ancient cycles, guided by nature’s wisdom, and open to spiritual reflection.
In the week of February 16th, we welcomed the Hebrew month of Adar, ushering in the holiday of Purim.
What Happens in the Month of Adar?
This year, we entered into the new Jewish month of Adar on Monday February 16th. Jewish tradition teaches that when Adar begins, we have the capacity to bring more joy into our lives. That is certainly true on the festive holiday of Purim, which this year starts at sundown on March 2nd and ends at nightfall on March 3rd.
In the Book of Esther, Queen Esther risks her life to tell the truth, exposing Haman’s plot and saving the Jews of Persia from death. As a result of that incredible reversal of fortune, Persian Jews, and all future generations, celebrate joyfully. They are also encouraged to give matanot la’evyonim, or help to those who are hungry. What deeper tie between truth telling, food justice, and joy is Purim trying to teach us?
Deeper meanings of Purim
Why did the Book of Esther specify the mitzvah or righteous action of matanot la’evyonim? Why is it important to care for those in need, particularly when we feel joyful?
We are taught in the Jewish sacred text Pirkey Avot, “Without flour there is no Torah.” In other words, none of us can become more wise, content, or even joyful when any of us are in need.
Adar at Coastal Roots Farm
I think about that as I walk the fields at Coastal Roots Farm, where carrots push up through rich soil and our farmers harvest greens for families across our region. Feeding the hungry is not abstract here; it is dirt under fingernails, boxes loaded for distribution, dignity carried home from our Pay-What-You-Can Farm Stand. To join this work is to live the essence of Purim — to ensure there is flour before Torah, nourishment before celebration.
Here in San Diego, one in four folks is food insecure. Considering this, our Purim joy has to be incomplete until we take action towards feeding hunger. In Jewish tradition, joy is communal or it is not joy at all.
Purim and Truth
Purim reminds us of the necessity and urgency of the truth. Esther approaches the king at risk of death. She names the danger plainly. In our current reality of AI generated lies and lack of confidence in truth itself, such courage should encourage us.
We must tell the truth about the climate emergency. A 2023 report from the Yale Center for Climate Change Communications found that two-thirds of Americans say climate change is real and that they believe they should be doing more about it. And yet, two-thirds also say they talk about it with friends or family at most once or twice a year. The truth sits quietly in our hearts, unspoken at dinner tables and in carpools. Like Esther before she steps forward, we hesitate.
We must also tell the truth about who feeds many of us across our great state. In California, migrant workers form the majority of our state’s agricultural workforce. Their labor ensures that many tables are heavy with produce. To speak about food justice across CA without acknowledging the vital contribution — and vulnerability—of these essential workers is to tell a half story.
But Purim encourages us to remove our masks and to tell whole stories. To say aloud: I am scared about the climate. I am indebted to those who harvest my food. I believe our community can do better.
When we speak these truths to one another, we move a step towards collective healing for people and planet.
So, this year, whether Purim is a holiday for you, I encourage you to use it as an opportunity to uplift the truth and help feed the hungry. And through our collective actions, may we ensure that there is flour enough for all, and truth enough to sustain a joyful, just future.
Celebrate Purim at the Farm
Pay-What-You-Can Farm Stand | Thursdays 12-3 p.m. & Sundays 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Stop by the Farm Stand on Thursdays and Sundays for organic, picked-that-day produce. Anyone can discount their purchase up to $30, no questions asked. If you can afford full price, your purchase helps feed those who need the discount.
Nature Play Purim Party | Sunday, March 8 | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | $10/child & $10/first accompanying adult
We’re hosting a special Nature Play morning to celebrate Purim. Perfect for our smallest visitors, ages 0-10, the morning will be filled with a costume parade, a special musical performance by Trees of Dreams, and outdoor fun. No pre-registration required, just come in your favorite costume!
Support our Work | All Year
Adar calls us to ensure the hungry our fed. Each year, the Farm grows 80,000 pounds of food and donates 75% to our neighbors who need it most. As a nonprofit, we rely on community support to make this possible. Consider giving a monthly gift to sustain our food access program. Even $10/month makes a difference. $30 feeds a family for a week. Give Today.
