Chanukah began last night and for those with a mind towards green living, this is THE holiday of the year to make your celebration as low impact as possible. Why? Well, the basis for Chanukah is, in part, the miracle of a single days worth of oil lasting eight days. Clearly the lesson is conservation, right? It may be a stretch but more and more Jews nationwide are buying into these ideas.

First, start with purchasing beeswax or soy candles instead of conventional paraffin candles made from petroleum. Not only are paraffin candles made from nonrenewable sources, many claim that they produce more soot and smoke than their more eco-friendly brethren made from plant derived oils and natural beeswax. There are even kits you can use to make your own. 

Use an electric menorah? Consider trading your conventional bulbs for CFL tapers. Also, put your menorah on a timer so that it is not on all night and turns on at dusk to save even more energy. 

We all have read about greening your gift list, but here are a few ideas specific to Chanukah. Consider giving donations to charities or nonprofits you support in honor of your recipient. For a truly unique gift, choose a gift which can help the less fortunate become self sustainable and gain training. Bake yummy treats for gifts and wrap them in either recycled containers or glass ones. Recipients get some home baking and a reusable container they can pack their own goodies in later. 

Wrapping presents? Wrap them in recycled paper including the Sunday comics or pick up copies of a newspaper printed in another language (I’m a huge fan of the papers free at Chinese markets, but many Jewish book stores offer Israeli newspapers). It’s the novelty which makes it fun, after all.

If you are a member of a synagogue (or even a church for that matter!) consider using Chanukah as an opportunity to start greening your facility and rededicate it as an EnergyStar building. Take the first steps by changing out those conventional bulbs with CFLs and institute a recycling program.

Lastly, you can’t have a true Chanukah without some latkes. Make yours healthier and more sustainable by making them with local organic potatoes and onions and cage-free, organic, eggs. If you can find them, use organic matzo meal too. Need a recipe? 

3 organic baking potatoes
3 organic, cage-free eggs (local is best!)
1 medium to large organic onion
1 cup (at least) matzo meal
Salt and pepper to taste 

Peel and chop potatoes and onions, add in blender with eggs. Puree. Pour into a bowl, add salt, pepper and matzo meal. Mix. Consistency should be mushy. Let it sit so matzo meal can absorb the liquid a bit. Heat oil in a pan, fry (1/4 cup batter per latke) until brown, flipping halfway through. Place on plate with paper towel to absorb extra oil. Enjoy with applesauce, sour cream, jelly or other topping.

Happy Chanukah!

Image by Flickr user Mfajardo used under a Creative Commons License.

There are many reasons people choose to be “green.” Some may want to be cool and be associated with the likes of Leonardo Di Caprio, Brad Pitt, and Al Gore. Did you know there is actually the ecorazzi for all your green gossip?

Some of us want to truly save the planet we call home. There is a little part in all of us that wants to do the “right thing.” Well, what better way to show a large group of people what you’re out to accomplish than hosting an environmentally friendly event – wedding, baby shower, or dinner party!

Things to consider:

Place: If at all possible, consider using a venue that is most centrally located to the guests! Less transportation pollution! Or if there are a lot of people flying, support them in offsetting their carbon emissions!

Food: Choose local and organic. This reduces the effect of pesticides, and have you ever wondered how that Chilean sea bass gets to your dinner table? It didn’t swim to the nearest estuary!

Flowers: Can you believe it? You can also get these organic and local! Take them out of your special garden! Different countries regulate pesticides differently, so those South American orchids may not be so earth friendly…

Paper: Choose recycled, or better yet (if appropriate) use an electronic invitation! It’s cheaper too! You don’t have to buy a stamp!

Dishes, Napkins, Flatware- use the good stuff…don’t go for paper. Here’s the thing, you want to reduce the use of anything disposable as much as possible. Yes, yes it may create extra work if it’s a small gathering in your home, but take up that friend’s offer to help with the dishes! The environment will help you for that!

Gifts: If a couple already has everything they need, why give them more stuff? If the new mother already has 100 onesies, do something different! Make a contribution to a great charitable organization (check out their rating online), plant a tree in their honor, or offset the carbon emissions for their honeymoon flight (see other carbon offsetting gift options).