Sign In Forgot Password

OPT IN for Oak Park Temple

Home > Community > Green Committee

Green Committee

Green Committee

The mission of the Green Chaverim is to fulfill the Jewish imperative of tikkun olam (repairing the world) by encouraging environmental stewardship within the congregation and promoting environmental awareness among the greater OPT community.

The Green Chaverim promotes sustainable Temple operations to reduce its impact on the environment, provides outreach and education about local environmental issues, and engages congregants in projects to raise environmental awareness. We lead the Oak Park Temple’s active agenda of improving the environment in and around our synagogue by providing education about current environmental issues, introducing composting to our congregation, and researching and presenting energy efficient recommendations for our aging building.

In addition to the garden projects, we host a holiday dinner each year prepared by members of our committee. Such fun! We can’t accomplish this important work without the help of volunteers. You can participate on any level given your schedule.

Green Initiatives

Our Chaverim is active and dedicated committee in and around OPT. Here are some of the projects we will work on this year.

  • Speaking of Green Community Education Series
  • OPT Edible Garden
  • Annual Holiday/Shabbat Dinner
  • Energy Efficiency Efforts (recycling, non-disposables, bike racks, etc)
  • Interfaith Green Network & Green Community Connections Community Participation
  • Social Action Participation & Support

Here are a few examples of past efforts of the OPT Green Chaverim:

  • Created temple-wide recycling effort–25 new blue recycling bins
  • Installed 3 new bike racks at the Berkshire entrance
  • Sponsored “Speaking of Green” education series
  • Converted disposable plastic dishware to compostable cups, plates, bowls
  • Hosted low-waste events, green fundraisers and Tu B’Shvat Sede
  • Plant a Tree in Israel

You can now buy a tree in Israel and help the congregation at the same time.  The Jewish United Fund is partnering with Oak Park Temple to make it easier to make donations, support Israel and help the planet.

Click here when you want to plant trees in Israel in honor or memory of a friend, loved one or special occasion, you will benefit OPT as well. For each online donation using this link, OPT will receive 20% in return.

The 20% proceeds will go toward OPT’s Green Chaverim committee who will reinvest the funds to benefit members of OPT in many ways.

Thu, November 14 2024 13 Cheshvan 5785