We're Gaining Ground

The Genesis Grounds committee sure has been busy over the past couple weeks.

Volunteers from both our congregations and our partner congregation Blue Ocean Faith, supported by some of our dedicated staff, have done some incredible work to beautify our grounds this spring. And we're just getting started!

The Eastover Garden Makeover (April 24)

The Eastover Garden (the area along Eastover Place on the north side of the sanctuary bound by the front and back parking lots) was in desperate need of a refresh. Damaged from the 2023 ice storms, the area had become seriously overgrown and unruly. In partnership with Seeds to Community of Washtenaw, Grounds Committee co-chair Sarah Weiss developed a beautiful garden design incorporating native Michigan flowering plants such as sky blue asters, purple lovegrass, wild geraniums, and coneflowers. Introducing these native plants will enhance the sustainability of our insect and bird ecosystem.

While Sarah's grand design is necessarily limited by Genesis budget constraints at a time of significant need for capital improvements, we hope that with continued volunteer support and the generosity of our congregants, the full scope of her vision will ultimately come to fruition.

Native Plant Garden Plan

Facilities Attendant Steven Kurz on the Bobcat

On April 24, a handful of volunteers and staff began the prep work of clearing the garden of plantings and bushes, removing the landscape fabric, and spreading around 15 yards of mulch.

We did all this in preparation for plantings to come throughout the rest of the year, in what shall henceforth be known as our Native Plant Garden.

According to Genesis Building Attendant Steven Kurz, who operated a rented Bobcat skid steer:

It truly was back breaking work that the volunteers did, but they endured and did it with cheerfulness of heart.

However, according to Grounds Committee co-chair Phil Barr in his recruitment email:

The work should not be too strenuous as this email is mostly going out to older retirees. We'll have the tractor to do the heavy lifting and moving, but there will be some digging, light pulling of plants, cutting of landscape fabric, raking mulch, etc.

Phil Barr and his crew

You can be the judge of our crew's fabulous efforts!

Spring Awakening & Spring Salad Potluck (April 27)

Just 3 days later, our tireless ground crew volunteers reconvened for the 2025 Spring Awakening, when we planted, mulched, and weeded some more all over the rest of our grounds. The turnout was outstanding. As many as 75 of us came out to lend a hand.

But you know what they say about all work and no play. This year, prior to getting out and getting dirty, we had an opportunity to break greens together at our first annual Spring Salads Potluck. It was such a success that we hope to get into a seasonal rhythm and also sponsor an Autumn Savory Soup Potluck in conjunction with our Fall Cleanup in October.

Genesis Celebration Courtyard

And we are still gaining ground.

Groundbreaking for the Genesis Celebration Courtyard will soon begin. We anticipate the project will be completed, with the initial bricks in place, in time to mark the 50th anniversary of the raising of the TBE Star of David next to the St. Clare’s Cross on June 8, 1975, and thus also the conclusion of our 50th Anniversary celebrations.

Tending Our Gardens all Summer Long

We still have plenty to tend to this summer and we can use your help!

In addition to establishing our Native Plant Garden, this will be our second year of tending to our bountiful vegetable garden. Most of the produce from our vegetable garden, including some of the most flavorful varieties of tomatoes in the world, will be distributed by the Back Door Food Pantry. Gardeners are also welcome to take some for your family to enjoy.

Early this season, we need your help planting both the new plants in the Native Plant Garden and the vegetables in the back garden. Then, on an ongoing basis this summer and into October, we'll need volunteers to water, weed, harvest, and drop off the produce for the BDFP to distribute.

Please sign up for some slots Gardening at Genesis this summer!

Thanks for supporting the grounds and your love of gardening, our environment, and our shared community.

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Photos Credits:

Eastover Makeover: Steven Kurz and others

Genesis building with mulch: Mark Davis-Craig

Spring Salads Potluck: Elli Gurfinkel