A key component of the Jewish faith is practicing Tikkun Olam. The Torah teaches us that we are stewards of the earth and our job as Jews is to preserve and protect it. The Green Team was formed to assist the Temple and its congregants in mitigating the effects of climate change and making the preservation of the earth one of Temple Emanu-El’s core values. The team is partnering with staff, the Religious School, auxiliaries, and committees to pursue a wide range of fun, engaging, and meaningful projects and activities.
The Green Team is:
- Enhancing our communities environmental consciousness
- Enhancing the Temple’s recycling program
- Pursuing Green Certification programs
- Promoting hands-on volunteer events
- Conducting educational programs
- Hosting a Green Shabbat
- Participating in Temple wide events such as Mitzvah day
The Green Team has registered the Temple to become a certified “Green” business. We are diligently working through the certification requirements. Some of which are easy to accomplish. Others more challenging and expensive.
Our first task in becoming Green Certified was to verify that the Temple is recycling its waste. We are happy to report, the Temple’s service provider recycles approximately 80% of its waste. A process which Green Team members were personally able to observe by visiting Republic Services recycling facility. The Green Team will be placing stickers on each of the Temple’s waste receptacles letting the congregants know that Temple Emanu-El recycles and is committed to protecting our planet.
To learn more about the green certification programs being pursued visit www.GreenFaith.org and https://greenbusinessca.org/ . We are initially focusing on the Green Business program and the water conservation component of the GreenFaith program.
Help us help our planet! Join us at one of our monthly meetings or participate in one of our upcoming activities. To participate or learn more about the Green Team contact to@templesanjose.org.
