On eco-tips in event programs

11 Dec 2006

Got questions about the environment? Ask Umbra.

Dear Umbra,

My bat mitzvah is coming up, and at my synagogue, we give out programs. This year, in my program, I would like to include some tips to lead a more eco-friendly life (when to turn off lights, etc.). Will you please help me with these ideas?

Talia
Minnetonka, Minn.

Ask Umbra continues below

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Dearest Talia,

Mazel tov! You probably have seen some Top Ten lists of best actions for the environment, and if you haven't, take a look at my Top Ten review and Consumption Manifesto, which cover the basics. For your bat mitzvah, you have an excellent opportunity to be quite specific in your suggestions. There are two aspects you can bring out in your tips: One is describing environmental stewardship in the context of Judaism, and the other is tailoring suggestions to your specific congregation and location.

There's green in there.

Photo: iStockphoto

While I don't know exactly how the Torah, other Jewish texts, and your particular branch of Judaism can be brought to bear on environmental issues, what I imagine is that specific parts of the Torah instruct on care of our resources, stewardship of the land, providing for future generations, and the like, and that if you cite specific passages you'll bolster your legitimacy. You'll have to look the passages up, or figure it out with your rabbi. Then you can open your program with these passages as a way of introduction to environmentalism that is an obvious match with your faith.

Moving on to the actual tips, the priorities for action pretty much align in Top Ten lists from around the country. What you can do is offer even more specific suggestions to your fellow congregants, based in your community. For example, driving less is a massive priority. How about mentioning specific ways to drive less to the synagogue? Are there bus routes to mention, or is there a bulletin board where people could arrange carpooling? Could you ask folks to make a goal of setting aside extra time one day a month for a walk to services? Replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs is an easy, quick, good thing to do. Can you suggest local stores that sell CFLs, and even quote prices and energy savings to further motivate people? Perhaps there is an environmental issue important to you, and you would like people to write their congressional representatives. You could describe the situation and include the representatives' addresses.

I'm sure you can figure out which issues seem most important to you, from looking at Grist in general, the lists I've provided in the past, and the websites of Minnesota environmental organizations such as the (randomly selected) Sierra Club. It will take a little research, but you'll learn a lot in the process. Mention these issues in the program, even if they aren't on an official list, because any suggestion that comes from the heart is bound to be heard. Have a fun bat mitzvah, and good luck with your sure-to-be-fabulous programs.

Shalomly,
Umbra

Yours is to wonder why, hers is to answer (or try). Please send Umbra any nagging question pertaining to the environment -- but first check out her FAQs!

The claims made in this column may not reflect the views of this magazine. Neither the magazine nor the author guarantees that any advice contained in this column is wise or safe. Please use this column at your own risk.

Umbra Fisk is Grist Research Associate II, Hardcover and Periodicals Unit, floors 2B-4B.

Comments: (7 comments)

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suggestion

A simple way to address a far-reaching environmental issue would be to serve only vegan food, and include a note about the devastation that the animal products industry wreaks on the planet. This goes right in hand with abstaining from animal cruelty.

by anthony11 at 12:03 PM on 11 Dec 2006

Bible passages for eco-awareness

Psalm 8 is a great resource, as it stresses human stewardship of the natural world. It should be read in Hebrew, or in a really good translation, because it's often rendered in a way that would seem to advocate human misuse of nature.

Jonah is good, too: it's a funny story, and full of animals. In it, God "ordains" a fish, a plant, and a worm; the animals of Nineveh repent along with the humans; and it is partly because of the animals that God wants to save Nineveh in the end!

Isaiah 40-55 is filled with images of God restoring the desert into a fertile place. Isaiah 42.17-20, for example, could be read as advocating responsible water use: "The poor and the needy/Seek water, and there is none;/Their tongue is parched with thirst./I the Lord will respond to them./I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them./I will open up streams on the bare hills . . . I will turn the desert into ponds . . ." (17-18)

Then, of course, there's all that stuff in the Torah about the land "vomiting" the people out if they don't let the earth rest . . . Maybe a little too graphic for a bat mitzvah program, though. :)

Kellyann

by mskellyann at 12:05 PM on 11 Dec 2006

and other acts of generosity

Dear Talia,

Your question to Umbra prompts me to write about another act of generosity.

Recently, the mother of a young Indian girl called us at KyotoUSA to say that her daughter, Gautami, wanted her family and friends to help celebrate her birthday by giving the value of a traditional birthday gift to an organization working on climate change.

Gautami asked her mother if she could designate KyotoUSA as the beneficiary. A few weeks later we received a generous gift from Gautami that will help to install a photovoltaic system on a Berkeley public school. The system will produce all the electrictity the school will need, thus eventually saving the school district money, reducing its carbon footprint, improving air quality, and adding an educational component to the school's science curriculum.

We were deeply touched by Gautami's thoughtfulness and her desire to help preserve the beauty and health of our planet. The example that you, Talia, and Gautami and the young people of the world are setting is truly inspiring. Let us hope that your kindness will foster a willingness among many to make the changes in our lives and attitudes that are necessary for the survival of all life on this planet. Shalom!

Tom Kelly

by kyotousa at 1:42 PM on 11 Dec 2006

Green Jewish sites and resources

http://www.coejl.org/
Coalition on the Environmen...
The Teva Learning Center, North America's foremost Jewish Environmental Education Institute, is a non-denominational educational service for participants from throughout the Jewish community. Working with Jewish Day Schools, Congregational Schools, synagogues, camps and youth groups, Teva's programs touch the lives of 2,000 participants annually.

http://www.jcpa.org/jep.htm
Jewish Environmental ...

by stevenj at 3:02 PM on 11 Dec 2006

Green Shalom Action Guide

Another good place to start is Temple Emanuel of Kensington, Maryland, where Rabbi Warren Stone has led a significant environmental movement for 18 years. Emanuel has just dedicated to him a Green Shalom Action Guide (450KB PDF), potentially with many of the green tips and words of Torah you seek.

The Teva Learning Center mentioned above, where you might one day wish to be an educator, is another awesome resource. In fact, I happen to be there right now.

- Ben Rosenthal
Alive (and Pedaling) to Save the Planet

by earthsaver at 8:17 PM on 11 Dec 2006

Walk the Walk + Talk the Talk

I can't tell you how many time's I've gotten "green advice" handouts printed on single sided, virgin paper!

Set the example and your message will have that much more power.

by LP at 10:09 AM on 12 Dec 2006

Jewish View of Mankind & the Environment

The following midrash is states the Jewish position:

"In the hour when the Holy One, blessed be He created the first human being, He took him and let him pass before all the trees of the Garden of Eden and said to him: 'See my works, how fine and excellent they are! Now all that I have created, for you have I created it. Think upon this and do not destroy and desolate My World, For if you corrupt it, there is no one to set it right after you.'"
Midrash Ecclesiastes Rabbah 7:28

by stevenj at 7:07 AM on 06 Feb 2007

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At Bat

On eco-tips in event programs