It may sound glib, but Chanukah may be the first holiday to celebrate making the most of a limited oil supply. While electricity may seem to be plentiful, we are putting a strain on the ecology by building more hydro-electric dams, and using more fossil fuels; Chanukah may well be a good time to reflect and make changes on our fossil footprint.
Green Living by Candlelight
The advantage to candles don’t cost a thing to operate, and may well reduce your hydro bill, if you gather around the Menorah to play. (The first few days may not generate enough light to see by, but if you’re romantic, another couple of candles in the room can create ambiance.) By turning off all other lights and appliances, and playing with dreidels or board games by candlelight for at least an hour, you are shaving some money off your electricity bill.
While we’re thinking about light and oil, an interesting thought about conserving a modern day supply: Electricity. Rabbis Arthur Waskow and Jeff Sultar of the Shalom Center have started The Green Menorah Campaign , a movement aimed towards making communities and Temples more ecologically sound. “The Talmud's legend about using one day’s oil to meet eight days' needs: a reminder that if we have the courage to change our life-styles to conserve energy, it will sustain us.”
Switch One Incandescent Light bulb for Every Day of Chanukah
The Baltimore Jewish Environmental Network at Pearlstone suggests that every household replaces one incandescent light bulb for a CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light bulb) for every day of Chanukah. Now that more models are compatible with enclosed or recessed lamps, work with dimmers, and have a warmer hue, there isn’t much reason not to save money and the earth at the same time.
Environmentally Safe Chanukah Candles
Most stores sell brightly coloured, paraffin based candles, which puts a strain on our use of fossil fuels and adds toxins to the air. If you are interested in a more environmentally friendly candle, try beeswax candles, available at the Global Exchange online store. An added benefit is that it’s fair trade, as well as environmentally friendly. Look into your local fair trade store and see if any beeswax candles are available.
Fair Trade or Recycled Menorahs
More fair trade stores are supplying Fair Trade Menorahs; Global Exchange has a model (as seen in the photograph) that is made from pine, and is part of a Chilean reforesting project: It’s also environmentally sound, being made from water based paint. The hand dipped beeswax candles also fit into this model.
Twenty percent of the profits from this project will be reinvested back in the San Ignacio schools and fifty percent will be used to send the children of San Ignacio to the Tin Marin Children's Museum in San Salvador.
If you’re more inclined towards a do-it-yourself approach to making Menorahs there are several sites that suggest ways you can use recycled goods or even fruits for a biodegradable version. Re-Nest.com features a page about making one from recycled pipes, or for those who prefer a more authentic, antiquated look – tips on making a clay one. (Type in “Menorah” on the site’s search engine.)
Where to Buy Fair Trade Channukah Goods
Fair trade geld, better known as chocolate coins, is made by Divine Chocolate. It supports cocoa farmers in Ghana. They can be found at Servv.org and The Global Exchange Store.
Dreidels are fun tops that are used in games of chance (often to win geld). A hand painted, fair trade one can be bought from Ten Thousand Villages, who sell Menorahs as well. Menorahs and their candles are also available at The Global Exchange store.
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