Just Say No to a Bad Energy Bill
The House and Senate are currently in conference trying to iron out the differences between their two versions of the Energy Policy Act of 2003. The Republican majority is pushing to limit debate and impose a final vote within the next few weeks on what will clearly be an unsatisfactory bill. Now is the time for you to call, fax, or email your Senators and Congressmen and tell them to vote NO on this environmentally and economically harmful legislation. Let them know that as a constituent and an active member of the Jewish community, you care about this issue and will be watching to see if they are listening to those they represent. Remind your elected officials that COEJL and our partners at the National Religious Partnership for the Environment recently gave them a copy of the "Let There be Light" letter, signed by 1,200 national religious leaders, including many in their own home states. This letter outlines the moral and religious imperatives -- including concern for the protection of creation -- that should be part of our national energy policy.

Apples and Eve
Soon Jews around the world will dip apples in honey as a symbolic and tasty wish for a sweet new year in this ripe, round world. As you bring 5764 into your home with a Granny Smith or Golden Delicious, stop for a moment to consider this popular fruit. Though not one of the seven agricultural species for which ancient Israel was known, apples do appear in the Bible -- most famously in the Song of Songs, whose writer's beloved is like "an apple [tree] among the trees of the forest." However, Adam & Eve's "fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil" wasn't a McIntosh or even a Jonathan... the Latin malum meant both 'apple' and 'evil,' and the confused medievals transferred malum /'evil' to the 'fruit.' If not an apple, it might've been an apricot or pomegranate, though the 11th century French commentator Rashi makes a strong case for the fig. Rashi also suggests why God never names the tree: even botanical species shouldn't be singled out for condemnation and embarrassment. So as we dip our lovely (and preferably organic) apples into honey this holiday season, let us too remember and uphold the sanctity and honor of all creation.

Happy Birthday, World!
Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson calls Rosh Hashanah, hayom harat olam / the day on which the world was born, the "most ancient Earth Day." He outlines three ways we might approach the world on its birthday. His article shows that the Earth is not a machine to be used and discarded, and claims that neither should we hold nature as a whole to be "morally superior to the needs of humanity." He calls instead for the middle path of stewardship, the religiously-rooted notion that "that humanity is the caretaker of the earth and of all living things." Though humans are not the sole purpose of Creation, we are uniquely able to sanctify it, which entails "solidarity with all of Creation and a desire to avoid unnecessary suffering for all living things." In short, "We are God's hands in the world, to care, to improve, and to love Creation. But the world is not, ultimately, ours to abuse. We tend it in God's name..." Read all of Rabbi Artson's timely Rosh Hashanah message.

Which Way Should I Mow?
Gasoline-powered lawn mowers are remarkably inefficient, spewing 25-30% of their fuel unburned into the air and your lawn. Further, the EPA estimates that 17 million gallons of gasoline and oil are spilled each year while refueling all power lawn and garden equipment. So what are the alternatives?

1. Electric lawnmowers have zero local environmental impact. They're also much quieter and most of them are mulching models, which eliminate grass clippings disposal (According to the EPA, 12% of the U.S. municipal solid waste stream is yard clippings.)
2. Mowing the lawn with a push mower is a perfect way to get in shape while you tidy the yard!
3. The negative environmental impact of grass lawns can be entirely avoided with native landscaping. Native plants are often naturally pest-resistant and drought tolerant, so chemical applications and extra watering are generally not necessary.

MI-COEJL and the Michigan Interfaith Climate and Energy Campaign held a press conference on the State Capitol steps, Monday, Sept. 15. The audience listened as state and national religious leaders asked, "What Should the Governor Drive?" Several state religious leaders made comments, including Rabbi Michael Zimmerman of Congregation Kehillat Israel. At this event, MI COEJL and the Interfaith Campaign released a religious leaders' letter to the Governor, asking her to purchase fuel-efficient vehicles for the state fleet and detailing the financial and pollution savings that might be realized by taking such a step. This action will also be taking place in 10 other states around the country; but Michigan was the first state to announce this new focus of the religious community's efforts to address the problem of global warming. Click here for more information on the event.