Ethan Hirsch-Tauber knew from the time he started college that protecting the environment was a driving force for him. But it wasn’t until he found his way to water — not just sitting at a desk consulting on energy efficiency, but working with his hands to create holistic, community-oriented solutions to water scarcity and drought — that he discovered his true calling.
Ethan is the CEO, founder, and lead technician of The Water Folk, an ecological landscaping company based in Sonoma County that installs water-conscious landscapes and systems to capture and reuse rain and greywater. An interest-free environmental loan* from Hebrew Free Loan provided start-up funding that helped Ethan build his business. The loan gave him the capacity to take on larger contracts and get involved with community initiatives to increase climate resilience.
“Hebrew Free Loan’s support has been a huge boost for our ecological landscaping company, as we pursue our larger vision of using water conservation to protect the climate. I’m so grateful the community cares enough to support this kind of business!”
When Ethan works with residential customers, he starts with a visit to the property to provide a low-cost, onsite assessment. He then designs a water system that meets the homeowner’s goals and is appropriate for the site. Ethan and his fellow technician, Graham Gould, then work enthusiastically to make the plan a reality.
The Water Folk’s clients often have dual motivation. They want to live on and enjoy their property while also living in a more self-reliant, ecologically balanced way. Ethan and Graham’s solutions often result in water cost savings for the client, along with direct impacts such as erosion control and more resilient landscaping. These systems can also provide reliable access to water during or after wildfires.
Everything Ethan does is informed by the rich journey that led him to founding The Water Folk. Ethan’s professional training includes a BA in environmental studies, an MS in environmental education, and a certification in water harvesting. His approach is equally grounded in his deep engagement with grassroots efforts around the world to conserve water, build community, and protect the climate.
Ethan spent time living and working in ecological communities such as Auroville in rural India, Findhorn in the north of Scotland, Tamera in Portugal, and Kibbutz Lotan in the south of Israel. He saw firsthand how water-based restoration efforts and water-retention landscaping brought about reforestation and transformed desert landscapes into bountiful fruit harvests.
He also traveled with and was mentored by Dr. Rajendra Singh, known as the Waterman of India. Ethan absorbed Dr. Singh’s passion for hands-on, climate-based watershed restoration work that improves conditions for individuals, communities, and the planet.
Ethan’s work with The Water Folk ties into his involvement in Wilderness Torah and the earth-based Judaism movement. He loves connecting the old ways (praying for rain during Sukkot, for example) with contemporary methods of rainwater catchment and greywater harvesting.
“The interest-free loan from Hebrew Free Loan is helping me fulfill my dream of building a business that heals the earth, based on the principle of tikkun olam.”
Ethan figured out early on that he prefers working with his hands to sitting at a desk. He also realized that in order to feel fulfilled, he needs to be working for the greater good. At The Water Folk, he’s found a way to combine both. He’s engaged at the local level with implementing ecological landscapes and water systems, while championing water conservation’s sometimes underrated role in mitigating climate change. The principles of tikkun olam (repairing the world) and shmirat ha-adamah (care of the earth) underlie all that Ethan does.
* Hebrew Free Loan launched its Environmental Loan Program last year on TuB’Shvat, a holiday that can be thought of as the Jewish Earth Day. As we observe the global Earth Day this year, we’re filled with renewed gratitude for the vision and generosity of Madeline Chaleff and David Arfin, whose donation provided the initial capital to start this program.
Our interest-free environmental loans help individuals, small business owners, and Jewish organizations move forward with projects or purchases that increase energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, conserve resources, protect the climate, and/or reduce waste. We’re proud to support Ethan Hirsch-Tauber as he grows The Water Folk into a thriving business that is doing its part to address climate change.
