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Green Beanie Winner

Princeton Jewish Center

http://www.thejewishcenter.org The Princeton Jewish Center formed a sustainability committee in May 2008, which we are thrilled to report has 18 members and has already run many events/initiatives related to sustainability education, energy and waste management, and social action. At the nursery school there, waste free lunches were instituted in September (no disposable food/drink containers allowed) and reusable sandwich wraps given out to all families. Additionally, a sustainability guest speaker came in September to talk about caring for the earth, recycling was added as a daily student job in each classroom, and sustainable art projects are done throughout the year,. In the religious school, several lessons for each class consider the beauty and diversity of Earth and how individuals can repair damage to the environment. Lessons will focus on different aspects of the environment, such as the water cycle, the forest eco-system, and ways to reduce trash. Each lesson will include activities/suggestions for implementing change and pertinent quotes from scripture, stories, and midrashim. In conjunction with these lessons, a school-wide seder will be held. Additionally, a religious school homework project during Green Week required students to commit to specific behavior changes to reduce carbon emissions. Programming for adults includes panels and speakers, usually with great turnout. The center offered a sustainable cooking demonstration, with a chef who created a fully organic, kosher dinner. A monthly sustainability column was added to the congregational newsletter to raise awareness about and encourage sustainable living practices, promote upcoming events and highlight learning from past events. In the synagogue, biodegradeable flatware was purchased, a solar Ner Tamid was installed, and the congregants sold Eco-friendly Shabbat candles (in conjunction with a national sustainability effort launched by men's clubs). Also, the congregation is switching to reusable mishloach manot baskets, and there is a plan for composting. For High Holiday services, the rabbi gave a sermon dealing with sustainable living, and gave the congregation an overview of its sustainability work. An informational session about sustainability was held after Kol Nidre. The congregation also addressed waste and energy managemen, including the launch of a comprehensive recycling program, developed to ensure recycling systematically occurs throughout the center. Organizers drafted a recycling policy, coordinated training sessions, purchased proper equipment, and hing signs in every room, reminding occupants to recycle, turn off the lights and the air conditioning and heat.

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