The 3rd Annual Energy Oscars were held Tuesday, November 10 at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. The event recognized the work of California Interfaith Power and Light’s member congregations and, in particular, outstanding finalists in the areas of Education, Green Building, Energy Efficiency and Advocacy. Rev. Canon Sally Bingham, Founder and President of CIPL, and Susan Stephenson, Executive Director, announced the winners.
Congregation Emanu-El was recognized for its “Green Emanu-El” initiative, a program to promote sustainable Temple operations including recycling, composting, and energy efficient lighting efforts. “Minimizing our ecological footprint not only fulfills the Jewish imperative of tikkun olam (to repair the world), but it also makes sense to minimize the impact on the resources we depend on, save money, and build community,” said Lara Ettenson, a coordinator of “Green Emanu-El.”
Read the entire article here! or Find out more about Green Emanu-El .
CHECK OUT EMANU-EL'S NEW ZERO-WASTE CAMPAIGN!
Over the past two years, volunteers from Temple Emanu-El’s environment committee developed a zero-waste campaign strategy to reduce the waste impact of Emanu-El’s numerous events, educate staff and congregants, and save the Temple money. A zero waste program diverts waste from the landfill by sending all appropriate items to the recycling or composting facility.
Thanks to a partnership with the San Francisco Department of the Environment, Emanu-El launched the zero-waste campaign at the beginning of September with a target to divert 100% of our waste. By strategically deploying new and improved bins and signage around the Temple to facilitate recycling and composting, we now divert tons of waste per year from being dumped in the landfill, while saving the Temple nearly $1000 each month.
Our goal is to not only to reduce waste going to the landfill from our synagogue, but also to help each member implement these practices at home. The youth education and Mitzvah Corps programs have incorporated the zero-waste campaign goals into their teachings of stewardship and responsibility to “Repair the World,” while the Temple’s nursery school teaches composting and recycling to our youngest environmental advocates. Over the coming month, Emanu-El will launch the education portion of the campaign, which will include materials and events to help congregants learn how to easily compost and recycle at Temple as well as at home.
Many thanks and kudos to Sandy Rechtschaffen, Suzanne Bryan (SF Department of the Environment), and Lara Ettenson and Charlene Schachter (co-chairs of the environment committee) for an epic effort!
Please visit the San Francisco Department of the Environment website for more information (http://www.sfenvironment.org/our_programs/overview.html?ssi=3)
or email Sandy Rechtschaffen with any questions, comments, or suggestions (srechtschaffen@emanuelsf.org).
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our new three bin system: it’s as easy as blue, green, and black!
Blue bins – recycling
YES: glass, cans, paper, cardboard, foil, ALL hard plastics -including coffee cup lids, plastic utensils, cups, straws, milk jugs, plastic takeout containers, plastic flower pots, and plastic toys (non-electronic).
NO: hangers (back to the cleaner with those), milk or OJ containers (they can go in compost!), plastic bags (drop off at Trader Joe’s), film plastics-including saranwrap, chip, and pre-pack veggie bags-, twisty ties, rubber bands or multi-material packaging – such as juice boxes or soup mixes, or polystyrene (Styrofoam).
Green bins – compost/bio-waste
YES: Anything once living: garden cuttings, sawdust, food scraps (including meat and bones), shells, coffee grounds/filters, teabags, chopsticks, food-soiled paper -paper napkins/towels, takeout boxes, plates and cups-, any compostable plastics, waxed paper, milk and OJ cartons (without the plastic spigot), and used pizza/pastry boxes.
NO: plastic bags, diapers, human or animal waste, rocks, recyclables, or trash.
Black bins – landfill
YES: soft plastic (plastic wrap or packaging), diapers, wipes, chip bags, cliff bar wrappers, items with dual packaging (individual juice boxes).
Common and Toxic Waste Products
CFL’s (return to local hardware store), batteries (seal in clear plastic bag and place on lid of black bin on collection day).
For more information on zero waste, to volunteer with SF Environment, find out where to dispose of everything from old paint to fabric scraps on the ecofinderrr, or download compost and recycling instructional flyers, go to: sfenvironment.org
WATER BOTTLE DILEMMA! URGENT!
For more information please click here (PowerPoint presentation)
GREEN YOUR CELEBRATION!
Greening your Simcha at Temple Emanu-El
There are many ways to reduce the environmental impact and
carbon footprint of your celebration at Temple Emanu-El.
This brochure provides suggestions for making your event
kind to the planet while creating a festive and meaningful celebration.
Make a lasting impression on your guests...
not on the earth!
Click to download the New Green Celebration Brochure!
B'RIT ADAMAH - A COVENANT WITH THE EARTH
Steps You Can Take (click to download pdf)
With thanks to Rabbi Micah Citrin of Congregation Beth Am for sharing these easy measures we can all take.!
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Temple Emanu-El Environment Committee is to fulfill the Jewish imperative of tikkun olam (repairing the world) by encouraging environmental stewardship within the congregation and promoting environmental awareness among the greater Emanu-El community.
The Environment Committee accomplishes this mission by working with the Temple to reduce its impact on the environment, provide outreach and education to the congregation, collaborate with the youth education department, and support sustainable agriculture and gardening.Ê
The Environment Committee focuses on three areas:
- Greening Emanu-El: Evaluate Temple operations and identify opportunities to reduce the Temple's footprint on the environment. This includes pursuing our green business certification, increasing our compost and recycling program, and working towards sustainable events.
- Education and Outreach: Educate congregants about opportunities to reduce their individual impact on the environment and about the strong ties between Judaism and our responsibility to safeguard the environment. This includes tips for congregants, articles in the newsletter, and outreach during Temple events.
- Sustainable Food and Gardening: Provide opportunities to purchase sustainable food, offer tips on minimizing impact on the environment through the food choices we make, and create opportunities for congregants and students to engage in gardening activities.
To participate, contact Sandy Rechtschaffen or (415) 751-2541 x 177.
About the Temple 