Location
One of the major considerations with the greatest environmental
impact is the decision about where
to hold an event. In the case of
a wedding, consider holding the wedding at whatever geographic
location the majority of attendees live. For example, if most of
the family members and friends of the
couple from high school and college live on the East Coast—have an East Coast wedding. This
will
greatly reduce the collective travel expenses and energy
consumption required for travel to and from
the wedding. For a
Bar/Bat Mitzvah consider hosting your luncheon or evening event at
the synagogue
to reduce travel costs. If your event is off-site
encourage guests to carpool and arrange a van/bus for
the kids.
When selecting a hotel or function hall, inquire about the
facility’s environmentally friendly options such
as recycling,
reduction of waste and energy efficient services.
Two people were fighting over a piece of
land. Each claimed ownership. To resolve
their differences, they agreed to put the case
before the rabbi. The rabbi listened but
could not come to a decision. Finally he
said, “Since I cannot decide to whom this
land belongs, let us ask the land.” He put
his ear to the ground, then straightened up.
“My friends, the land says that it belongs to
neither of you – but that you belong to it.”
- Jewish Folk Wisdom