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DON T JUST
THROW A PARTY...
CELEBRATE IN STYLE.
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Potted pansies: For decorations and the garden.
Green Mitzvot
In Ann Arbor
The Ann Arbor area may be ahead of Metro Detroit in advancing "green" mitzvah
celebrations, at least according to Jan Katz, who is on the board of the Michigan
Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life.
"Green b'nai mitzvah abound in Ann Arbor said Katz, who works for the University
of Michigan in human resources. She's also a licensed water and wastewater treat-
ment operator and backyard composter who has published on the subject of waste
recycling.
Here is Katz' list of eco-conscious ways that Ann Arborites have celebrated b'nai
mitzvah:
• Start with paper-less invitations. Use an e-mail invitation service like evite.com .
The service tracks your guests' RSVPs, sends out a reminder before the event and
allows guests to send thank-you e-mails to their hosts.
• Find a caterer willing to work with local food gatherers or soup kitchens. Properly
handled, unserved food can feed many poor and homeless people.
• Go vegetarian and compost what can't be used by the local hunger agencies. If
your town doesn't have curbside composting, your synagogue probably has a back-
yard gardener who would be willing to add your stuff to the compost pile, provided
you separate compost and trash and that no animal products are in the compost.
Meat, eggs and dairy products attract rodents.
•Use real dishes, silverware and linens. It takes tons of water, energy and non-renew-
able resources to make paper and plastic utensils. It takes much less to wash the
dishes and napkins.
• If you must use disposables, buy only compostable plates, cups and utensils.
Chinet paper plates work best for composting.
• Purchase with justice in mind. Fair-trade organic products abound in today's
marketplace.
• Decorate green. Real potted plants and trees in compostable containers make
memorable gifts that can be planted outdoors. Display decorative certificates
purchased from the Jewish National Fund or the National Arbor Day Foundation.
• Go "carbon neutral." Renewable energy certificates purchased from places like
nativeenergy.com can offset the carbon costs of parties, including guest travel,
facility heating and lighting, food preparation, and shopping. Consider a donation
of energy-efficient light bulbs to your synagogue.
•Advertise. Let your guests know the hunger agencies, environmental organizations
and others who will benefit from the celebration.
For more information, contact Michigan Coalition on the Environment & Jewish
Life, (248) 642-5393, ext. 7, or mi-coejl@jfmd.org .
Our lavishly decorated banquet center, with it's
custom-painted finishes and marble dance floor will
bring a European elegance to any special occasion.
Andiamo is the perfect setting for gatherings large or
small, providing world class cuisine and unmatched
service with attention to every detail. Andiamo
also offers full service catering, bringing renowned
cuisine and impeccable service wherever you choose
to host your event.
Andiamo Banquet Center, Warren
586.268.3200
www.andiamoitalia.com
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celebrate! I
March 2008
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