ACT AS A JEW TO IMPROVE THE WORLD

ACT AS A JEW TO IMPROVE THE WORLD



THE NEW JERUSALEM: JEWISH AND GREEN TO BOOT

By Deborah Rubin Fields



“If I am only for myself, who am I? If not now, when?” Hillel the Elder might not have imagined it, but his words have become the touchstone of a small, but growing movement in Jerusalem . All over Israel ’s capital, more and more residents are showing an interest in Jewish environmental sustainability.”



Just how some Jerusalemites came to apply the ideas Hillel expressed makes for fascinating reading. We must first, however, define “environmental sustainability.” This term means that we satisfy our current needs and wants, but without depleting the resources of those who will come after us. You may look at it as a kind of insurance policy: by acting in a certain way today, you provide a quality life for future generations.


The phenomenon of a Jerusalem-based Jewish environmental movement sprung from a kind of cultural and religious hunger. Interested residents had a need to solder their Jewish daily life with their commitment to social action and the environment. Their feeling was that many Israeli tikun olam and nature organizations were not focusing on or solving problems in ways that tied in with people’s Judaism. This cadre wanted to repair Israeli society, but to do so by applying the justice contained in Judaic sacred texts.


This group is still loosely connected. It consists mainly of Orthodox and Masorti residents who originally became acquainted either through their environmental group or synagogue affiliation. Although some members meet in formal settings like the Shomera Organization (www.shomera.org.il) or the chevruta of Ru’ach HaSiviva, much activity transpires informally via the internet.



At the moment, this electronic communication serves four valuable purposes. It provides people with a freedom of expression that probably would not be possible in standard news outlets that must answer to “anti-green” advertisers. It allows for on-going response to various subjects, whereas regular newspapers usually limit feedback to one round of, “Letters to the Editor.” It cuts down on meeting time, an important factor for those who frequently work five or six days a week. Finally, it reduces financial expenses to almost nothing. It does not appear to cut down on the quality of the interaction.


Thus, before the beginning of the year 5768, one activist wrote and posted an article entitled, “A Step in the Right Direction.” This circulating article began by explaining that, while many Jerusalem residents concern themselves with Elul and Tishrei’s two R’s, namely, repentance and redemption, few know that this is also a time to activate three other R’s, specifically, recycling, reduction and reuse. The text then listed concrete pro-ecology steps to prepare for the High Holidays.


These measures included 1) sending New Year e-blessings, rather than cutting down trees to make into paper cards and 2) giving away good, but used products (for more fortunate Jerusalem families, Rosh Hashanah and Pesach are classic times for home improvements and remodeling) to gemachim (a word originating from the term gemilut chasidim, or acts of loving kindness) or to members of the Jerusalem Free Cycle (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JerusalemFreecycle) and the Agora (www.agora.co.il) networks.


Other articles have dealt with issues that involve the synagogue. One circulating text focuses on concrete ways to prepare an environmentally sustainable kiddush. Among the suggestions given is the idea of using a permanent set of dishes, rather than non-recyclable plastic plates, cups and cutlery. When it comes time to wash the plates, congregants are advised to use ecofriendly soap products.


Some groups have started hashing out their next campaign. They have studied Deut. 4:9 which states: “Take utmost care and watch yourselves scrupulously.” They are applying this law to taking responsibility for their health and well-being. These members plan to reduce Jerusalemites’ heavy and destructive reliance on plastic products. Besides the ecological damage that plastic shopping bags cause, people find it distressing to see that Jerusalem has far more plastic bags than Israeli flags flying.


To help reduce the staggering amount of plastic accumulating in Jerusalem ’s garbage dumps, activists have recently approached the large plastic recycler, Aviv Recycling Ltd. (www.avivplastic.co.il) about the possibility of recycling the containers of dairy products and household cleaners. One green group, Ramot for the Environment, has already instructed residents of that Northern Jerusalem neighborhood to rinse and throw designated plastic containers into Aviv’s curbside recycling bins.


The challenges are monumental. But these Jerusalemites continue to practice an environmentally sustainable life inspired by the values found in the Torah. From their point of view, ecology and Judaism must be welded together. If they aren’t, the future is at risk.



HOW TO “GREEN” YOUR KIDDUSH



The synagogue environment affords the individual a place for personal learning and growth. The hope is that your private Jewish home life will ultimately mirror your Jewish communal life.



Whether you live in Israel or in the Diaspora, the mind-set for an environmentally sound Kiddush is essentially the same. It entails your recognizing that the synagogue is your communal home. In preparing a kiddush, you are actively supporting the concept of a quality community or environment. This means taking stock of the materials your congregation uses for kiddush and as much as possible taking the following environmental sustainable steps.



Napkins and Tablecloths

If you use cloth napkins and tablecloths, they ideally should be made of organic cotton. If you use paper products, make sure they are unbleached products. The point is to reduce the reliance on environmentally harmful petroleum-based pesticides and chlorine.



Cups and Plates

If you do not have a permanent, reusable set of cups and plates in your congregation, or the means of acquiring such sets, then purchase only paper or compostable products. Read the label on the paper dish package to ensure that it does not have a plastic coating. Disposable dishes that are acceptable for composting are those made from sugar cane, maize or potato products. Do a search on the internet using the term “biodegradable dishes” to find a local dealer who carries these goods.



Cutlery

Instead of using plastic forks, knives and spoons at the kiddush, put out wooden toothpicks. Using toothpicks will require careful planning as to what Shabbat and holiday refreshments may be served with such utensils. Leave out a small container marked “toothpicks for composting” so that congregants can dispose of their used pieces. Alternatively, use a permanent, reusable set of cutlery or arrange a kiddush table of just “finger foods.”





Beverage Bottles

Recycle glass wine/grape juice bottles and plastic water/soft drink bottles. Turn over the empty plastic bottles. Check that the bottom of the plastic bottle has the triangular recycling symbol. Inside the triangle, you should see the code name PET or the number 1. If your area has a bottle deposit program, redeem the money. Donate the returned change to your favorite tzedakah.



Leftovers

If your synagogue or neighborhood has a compost container, collect pareve food leftovers to throw into the compost box. Do not put in oily foods or foods that have seeds.



Clean-up

After the kiddush, tidy up using environmentally friendly cleaners. These products generally have a plant base. They contain no phosphates, no animal ingredients, no chlorine, and no petroleum. They have not been tested on animals.



General Shopping Guidelines

Consider buying organic food or opt for locally grown produce. Small, local growers reportedly rely less on petroleum-based pesticides and fertilizers than do mega-farmers. By supporting local farmers, you reduce the amount of harmful carbon-based fuels needed in long-distance (farm to store) transport.



(This article originally appeared in Emunah Magazine, Spring 2008/5768)