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SASHA ROGELBERG | STAFF WRITER
I n Eve Merriam’s poem “Simile Willow and
Ginkgo,” she writes, “Th e ginkgo forces its way
through gray concrete/ Like a city child, it grows
up in the street./ Th rust against the metal sky,/
Somehow it survives and even thrives,” lauding the
tree’s persistence in an environment for which it’s not
suited. Th e same can be said for etrog trees growing in
Philadelphia. About a year ago, West Philadelphia resident and
Reconstructionist Rabbinical College Assistant
Director of Th riving Communities/Tikkun Olam
Specialist Rabbi Micah Weiss planted about 75 etrog
seeds. Over the year, nearly all germinated, produc-
ing little etrog saplings.

For Sukkot, Weiss has gift ed some of the saplings
to his coworkers and plans on selling 45 of them to
raise money for his shul’s, Kol Tzedek’s, 18th year.

Along with the tree comes some guidance: Weiss
Rabbi Micah Weiss among his many etrog
saplings has put together a “Pri Etz Hadar” WhatsApp group,
where new etrog growers can share wisdom on how to
cultivate trees known to thrive in the Mediterranean
in a cold urban locale.

“Tactile things are a wonderful way to be inti-
mately connected to your Judaism,” Weiss said.

In a world where it’s easy to have anything shipped
to your door in 48 hours, fi nding a new Jewish ritual
in your backyard can help fl ex a diff erent Jewish
muscle. “It’s amazing that you can go on Amazon and
order a tallit and a chanukiah and a tzitzit and a
lulav and a lulav holder. We have instant access
to mass-produced, cheap Judaica,” he said. “And
there’s a disconnect ... you don’t get to know the
fabric and how to tie the knots and the symbolism
of each of the knots.”
With the grassroots project spreading to house-
holds all over the West Philadelphia Reconstructionist
community, Weiss hopes many can share in a Jewish
practice that is both ancient and adapted to today’s
climate and technologies.

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6 OCTOBER 13, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
Courtesy of Micah Weiss
A Backyard Orchard of Etrog Trees
Thrives in Philadelphia