Shuls encouraged to host a ‘green Shabbat’ for London Climate Action Week

Synagogues are being asked to host a “green Shabbat” this weekend to tie in with the London Climate Action Week.

Participants can register with Eco Synagogue to spend Shabbat learning about climate change, cutting waste with a Green Kiddush, eliminating single-use plastics and reducing their carbon footprint.

Several shuls are inviting speakers, hosting conversations or arranging screenings of Sir David Attenborough’s ‘Climate Change – The Facts’, available on BBC iPlayer.

In the hour-long documentary, the veteran wildlife presenter interviews the world’s leading climate scientists about recent extreme weather conditions and what climate change will mean for both the human population and the natural world.

Shuls can get help to conduct an eco-audit, which signposts actions to make the synagogue more sustainable, such as by sourcing local seasonal food or switching energy supplier.

Nikki Glantz of Kol Nefesh Masorti Synagogue said the shul “started with the kiddush” by hitting the local supermarket and only buying British.

“We had great Isle of Wight tomatoes, a form of kale that was easy to use in a salad and Jerusalem artchokes, plus other seasonal foods,” said Glantz.

“We made some amazing salads and served it with houmous and rice cakes, as they are free of palm oil rather than the usual Osem crackers. The kids were really happy with these along with crudités and vegan ice lollies.”

Yonatan Galon, chief executive of JNF UK, said: “Green Shabbat is the perfect opportunity to think about the impact we can all have to protect the planet. At JNF-UK we are highlighting the importance of our afforestation work in Israel, planting urban forests that are helping to reduce our global carbon footprint.”