Saturday November 30th is Eco-Shabbat, which we hope to celebrate, as last year, at Springhill Co-housing community in Stroud. One of the areas 3CLJC want to develop is to gather information from community members about initiatives they have taken themselves, or in their households, to be become more eco-conscious. What actions are you already doing or do you want to do more of in the future? Some of these actions may already have been mentioned in previous 3CLJC bulletins’ Eco-corners (all available on the 3CLJC website).
For example:
Fast fashion/Ethical clothing:
Do you look at clothes labels to check the source and material?
Do you buy organic cotton if you are able to do?
Do you think carefully whether you need an item or clothing, or do you just buy on impulse?
Have you bought (or got for free) any item of clothing in a charity shop or clothes swap in the past year?
Energy Consumption:
Have you taken steps to make your home better insulated?
Have you taken steps to reduce your energy bills? If so, what have you done?
Travel:
Do you use buses or trains as an alternative to car use for longer journeys?
Do you try to reduce the amount you fly (if that is part of your lifestyle)?
Do you have or have you considered an electric car?
Food Shopping
Do you buy local or organic produce when you can?
Do you try to avoid excess packaging in supermarkets?
Do you use Zero-waste/ refill shops
Cleaning at home:
Do you try to use cleaning products which have minimal impact on the environment?
Do you think about the environmental impact of toiletries and choose products which are less harmful to the environment?
For Eco-Shabbat, there will be several opportunities for you to share your experience and contribute your ideas:
Come to the Learning Circle sessions on Eco-Judaism – on 7th and 21st November
Come to the Eco-Shabbat service on 30th November where you’ll be able to write your ideas to share on an Eco-Judaism tree being created by the Cheder children.
Respond to a short survey by email.
Look out for further information on all the above in future bulletins.

The Eco-Shabbat is coming (Saturday 30th November) and Eco-Corner could not be more excited.  As part of the build-up to the big day we'll be looking to engage the community in discussion and reflection on eco-issues, and as part of this programme Rabbi Anna will be facilitating some special eco-themed Learning Circles. That's a lot of eco!
 
On Thursday 7th November, in a session led by Rabbi Anna, the Learning Circle will be looking at Biblical references to ecology and green issues.  A follow-up Eco-Judaism-themed Learning Circle will be on Thursday 21st November, and will explore practical examples of what community members have done, are doing now and would like to do in the future.  Details of the timing and access for the Learning Circles will be in the relevant bulletins.
 
Eco-Corner would also like to alert you to the fact that the national Eco-Judaism movement is organising a series of workshops to run alongside the international COP meeting, which is taking place from Monday11th to Friday 22nd November.  Full details can be obtained by emailing Naomi Verber at [email protected].