MAIN LINE REFORM TEMPLE SCHOOL FOR ECE

Tempted to give a 3, but I just know I couldn’t rate it beyond that because of the vague description of the building functions, even while being on the building’s lot. Add to that the exclusionary nature before even attempting to reach the inside of what is supposedly a place of worship. I’m not sure what doctrine or dogma is practiced within, but security seemed to be trained to keep people of a certain image from stepping foot into the building or speaking to any personnel aside from themselves. Or, at least this was the case around about Thursday afternoon. Having finished dog walking in the area, I’d noticed they have semi-native horticulture in their lot that was currently being treated as litter rather than the valuable societal resource that it is. I and many others in not just the north east, not just America, but the world over are working to RE-engage communities to be mindful of this, in lieu of supposed food and resource inequality. Pennsylvania’s constitution even reflects heavily on its commitment to protecting and cherishing the environment. Considering current times in the state and the country, it’s a VERY enlightening read. Politics aside, I’d approached from the back in, so I may not have seen signage about private property until too late, but regardless, I stayed towards the curb/sidewalk as I collected a minuscule fraction of some fallen locust bean pods. Later, being approached by security (3 guards to “talk” to one person collecting locust bean pods :/ ), I was informed this was actually a “school”, and proceeded to offer some info about foraging and native horticulture, etc. I offered some suggestions met with harsh blank stares and silence… I was even told I could continue at 1st, but, as they hovered, I was quickly told to finish and go. Which is fine. I had a fair amount of pods to work through and start developing some efficient collection and harvest methods. If staff (wherever you are) actually care for the public to read this far, the cars don’t damage most beans and your lot is littered with beans separated from pods that most wildlife can’t or won’t eat dry. (Much like you, a human can’t eat dry beans). You could sweep them into a bucket and winnoe them to get POUNDS of locust beans by this time of year. Great for fun fall activities with kids and unique to taste because these are “sweet” beans. Learning this was a “school”, I’d thought at my car that I should look them up and submit a note or find a teacher. Looking up the area on google (hi. You are here). I saw no school. I saw a library that, when arriving, met the same guards who informed me there IS NO LIBRARY. The “school” is a small day care and there are no real teachers. Beyond that, I’d still thought to ask, considering I know many synagogues can be very engaged with the public and their congregations, if there was ANY one to speak with about organizing and was, again, met with harsh silence and blank stares. As I left and a woman was approaching behind them, I was even concerned they’d treat her similarly or worse, but luckily, I must have been enough of a distraction for them. I’m rarely surprised by people being territorial to the point of ignorant waste. Profiling is nothing new (Although, my wardrobe was very typical for the season and area. Sweatpants, boots, leather jacket, and sixers hat. Maybe they hate the sixers… idk). But, when it comes to non profits or places of worship, one rarely expects such a… “greeting”… I left with a bag of pods, but concern for any other well meaning visitors to the area. Those who might even want to visit the synagogue with intentions to join or maybe support it. I’m not certain on synagogue law, but if they’re not paying taxes as a church, that’s a non profit and it’s very uncommon for them to turn people away, so adamantly. If anyone reads this far and can actually help your building consider the land they operate on and resources within, please suggest or even mention to them about what I’ve written here about locust pods. Collection also prevents unwanted saplings (weeds)