By Aaron Shaykevich, Opinions Editor
Each month, the YU Observer aims to highlight one club available to the YU undergraduate community. For the March 2022 edition, the YU Observer is highlighting the YU Environmental Club.
Club Name: YU Environmental Club
Head(s): Yaacov Strickon, President and Founder
Relevant Campus(es): Wilf and Beren
What is your club’s mission statement?
Our mission is to educate YU students about their impact on the environment and how they can foster change. We believe in teaching a richer understanding of the Torah’s outlook on environmentalism. We, as YU students, can promote sustainability, educate our peers, and call for action.
Why is this club important?
Climate change is something that is happening now. There is no one in this world that won’t be affected by it. We have a window to act, to be a part of the change we need. As a club, we can do more than if we work separately. As a part of YU and the message of Torah U’maddah that comes with it, we want to teach about the Torah’s emphasis on the environment. We also hope to foster a change within YU: to have classes educating students on the environment and to have a more environmentally conscious university.
What was your pull to get involved in/start the club?
The environment is something I have always been passionate about. I have always been drawn to nature and would spend my free time learning more about the environment and sustainability. So when I came to YU and realized there was no environmental club, I was surprised because it’s so important! As Jews, we should be advocating for the environment. I was bothered by this and decided that since nobody at YU started this club, I should do something about it.
What are some things your club has done in the past?
We just started up this semester and haven’t had the chance to host an event yet.
What are some plans you have for this semester/future semesters?
We plan on hosting lots of interesting and educational events. We intend to plan hikes, volunteering events, and educational seminars. We also hope to work with YU on how it approaches climate change.
What is your advice to someone looking to get involved on campus?
If you have a passion and want to start a club, just go for it! Start the application process, and if you manage to get the 25 signatures necessary then there are probably even more students interested. The application may look daunting but starting a club is not so hard.
Anything else to say about your club:
Join our Whatsapp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LWbmoj1sd9U7kUhpV5YczW
Are you a YU undergraduate club head interested in seeing your club featured in a future edition? Email us at theyuobserver@gmail.com with your club name and the names of the club heads!
Photo Credit: YU Environmental Club