26 | DECEMBER 19 • 2024 
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n addition to being about food and fun, 
Chanukah for the Rosenbaum family of Novi is 
about sustainability. Julie Rosenbaum, her hus-
band, Eric, and kids Simon, 9, Pearl, 7 and Adele, 
2, try to be mindful during the holiday season, like 
they are year-round, about how they’re impacting 
the environment.
For Chanukah, which begins Dec. 25 at sun-
down, they will pull out the bag of decorations 
they’ve made over the years at Chanukah parties, 
synagogue or school, which is a meaningful way 

to buy, consume and use less, while also reminisc-
ing, says Julie Rosenbaum. “We’re decorating with 
things we’ve already created. We’re not adding to 
all the stuff that lasts only one season, and it’s nice 
because it brings up those memories.”
Chanukah is about having quality family time 
together, says Rosenbaum, and more about the 
experiences than purchases. Also, when buying 
food, toys or other presents, it’s possible to take a 
moment to be mindful of how those items came to 
be, she explains. 

“Talking about our food, where our food comes 
from is a good way for kids to think about the 
bigger picture of buying things and where all their 
toys and clothes come from,” she says, adding that 
throughout the year, she works on raising her kids’ 
awareness of the food system. 
For the Rosenbaum family, that means looking 
for farmers markets and locally grown produce, 
which in this season can certainly include latke 
staples like carrots, potatoes and onions, she says. 
“There are lots of people involved in creating those 
things and we want them to have an equal and fair 
opportunity to make a living and also take care of 
the environment a little bit better.”
And when it comes to wrapping paper, she 
says, she likes to use whatever she’s got on hand, 
whether it’s reusable bags, Amazon boxes or 
coloring paper. Another alternative for crafty 
holiday wrap is to take rolls of butcher or craft 
paper and let the kids decorate it. “We like to use 
coloring sheets and anything the kids have created 
— I’m always a fan of homemade cards as well 
because it’s more of a meaningful, special gift from 
a child,” she explains. 

THEMES TO EXPLORE
Conserving energy is a key 
theme to explore this time 
of year, says Adamah 
Detroit Director 
Amit Weitzer, 
adding that 
thinking criti-
cally and inten-
tionally about 
Chanukah is one way of 
lifting up care for the Earth 
throughout Jewish holiday 
celebrations year-round. 
The idea is built into the 
Chanukah story, she explains, 
where Jews celebrate the miracle of 
a bit of oil lasting longer than expect-
ed. It lends itself to concepts around 
making things go further and only using what we 
need, she says. 
“Resources are not limitless; the Chanukah story 
helps us think about faith, but also how our actions 
can play an important role: Sharing hand-made 
gifts, gifting pre-loved items, gifting experiences.”

Adamah Detroit’s Climate Action Coordinator 
Ari Cohen says making Chanukah “greener” could 
mean anything from composting food scraps and 
recycling plastic and paper to only throwing away 
things that have no other use. Making plant-for-
ward meals can also make a difference, he says, as 

Celebrate the season with the 
Celebrate the season with the 
environment in mind.
environment in mind.

A Sustainable 
Chanukah

KAREN SCHWARTZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER

OUR COMMUNITY

Amit 
Weitzer

The Rosenbaum family: Julie, 

Eric, and kids Simon, 9, Pearl, 7 
and Adele, 2,