Eco-Jewish
If you need some insight into how being Jewish
relates to the physical world, a visit to the Coalition on
the Environment and Jewish Life Web site, coejl.org , will
make things clear. Established in 1993, COEJL, a non-
profit organization, works with other Jewish organiza-
tions, synagogues and individuals to educate and advo-
cate, protect and preserve.
And it participates in programs that include interreli-
gious and civic groups to ensure that future generations
will have a habitable home on this planet.
Barbara Lerman-Golomb, COEJL's communications
director, suggests that families who want more informa-
tion about the b'nai mitzvah environmental connection
get a copy of the COEJL publication "Caring for the
Cycle of Life," which can be purchased for $4.50 online.

preferred charity is painless.
Because kids wear out or outgrow sneakers every few
months, Nike's Reuse-a-Shoe program could be the
right choice. Landfills already have enough old smelly
stuff. But Nike would be glad to grind the rubber, foam
and upper fabric of any brand of athletic footwear and
recycle those components into new material that is used
for running tracks, tennis courts, soccer fields and play-
ground surfacing. For more information, check out
nike.com/nikebiz/nikebiz.jhtml?page=27&cat=reuse-
ashoe.
Selecting the right invitation can set the scene for a
green b'nai mitzvah day.
For anyone who can spend a lot of money, handmade,
recycled-material paper invitations are available at
twistedlimbpaper.com. For those with a smaller budget,

companies are producing products that are strong, serv-
iceable, cost-effective and conservational. If you're hav-
ing a colossal kiddush, consider covering the tables with
white butcher paper and using Chinet plates or platters
instead of plastic. Made from recycled material, this
tableware will stand up to a generous serving of
chopped herring, cheese, egg salad, gefilte fish and all of
the horseradish that you want.
To dress up a display of grape tomatoes, pitted olives
or pieces of pineapple, forget the plastic party picks and
buy paper-frilled toothpicks or paper umbrella picks.
Cutlery has come a long way. While plastic can be
used and tossed in a matter of minutes, it takes almost
forever to break down at the city dump. So if it's not
possible to use standard metal utensils, consider a new
product, corn-starch cutlery. It looks great and works as

Selecting an environmental mitzvah project is a good starting point. Then you can move on to
celebration specifics such as party invitations, oneg Shabbat and kiddush tableware, centerpieces,
balloons, banners and beer.

Three pages in the b'nai mitzvah section cover the
ecological aspect of Torah portions, what it means to
fulfill the commandment of "to till and to tend," the
environmental aspects of holidays, Shabbat, the envi-
ronmental side of tikkun olam and mitzvah project
ideas, Lerman-Golomb said.
Lots of green mitzvah projects could appeal to teens.
Because many people have books, CDs and videos
that they no longer want, you could keep those things
out of the waste stream by organizing a drive and
donating the items to a hospital, shelter or senior center.
A high-tech method of raising funds, which could
be contributed electronically to an Earth-saving
cause, would be to gather quality but no longer need-
ed merchandise (sports equipment, toys, musical
instruments your child had to have but then decided
he hated) and sell it through eBay's Giving Works
program. At pages.ebay.com/givingworks, you will see
that the process of signing up and designating your

machine-made recycled paper is now available through
regular invitation purveyors. And soy-based inks are
starting to gain ground.
Whether your family decides to celebrate the simchah
quietly with an intimate gathering after services or
loudly on a grand scale, you will be serving food.

Earth-Friendly
Even if it's just challah, cake, coffee and soda, you'll
need cups, plates and utensils. Tables will have to be
covered. A few balloons strategically placed outside the
sanctuary will add a festive touch. Plastic alert! Mylar
emergency!
While those materials are not inherently evil — plas-
tic and Mylar-coated medical devices save lives — is
using petrochemical-based, landfill-bound products for
a b'nai mitzvah application really necessary? Not when
there are more eco-compatible substitutes.
With more consumers clamoring for green options,

well as plastic. If you don't see it at your favorite party
store, go to worldcentric.org/store/cutlery.htm, where
you'll also find biodegradable, compostable trash bags.
For balloons, opt for latex over Mylar. It won't hold
helium as long, but it is made from rubber, a renewable
resource, and is biodegradable. Color selection is exten-
sive, and size and shape options are broad. Specialty
balloons are available at many retail outlets, through
party planners and at nvo.com/1800dreidel (select
bar/bat mitzvah).
Centerpieces and banners are often quite flashy and
extravagant. They have lots of glitter, plastic foam, plas-
tic and all sorts of environmental unmentionables. If
you choose to take the eco track, consider recycled-
paper banners, and decorate tables with pinatas or live
plants. Or fashion something out of seashells and bam-
boo. With a little thought, you can come up with some-
thing attractive that won't cost future generations. ❑

JN

CELEBRATE • 2006

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