Healthy, Sustainable Hanukkah Resources

Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple following its defilement by Syrian Greeks in 164 BCE. Since then, Hanukkah has become known as the Festival of Lights, due to the one day supply of oil lasting a miraculous eight days, and is known for the traditional lighting of the hannukiah. In addition, it is customary to feast upon fried foods and foods made with oil. Since Hanukkah celebrates the idea of preserving resources, Hazon offers some Healthy, Sustainable Hanukkah Resources as suggestions for your Hanukkah celebrations!

PREPARATION

Use environmentally sustainable candles. Beeswax, soy, and palm oil provide more natural alternatives to the traditional paraffin Hanukkah candles. Check out Big Dipper Wax Works for environmentally sustainable Hanukkah candles.

Green your Hanukkah decorations. Try crafting a dreidel out of recyclable materials. Also, as a family or community activity, make your own hannukiah using recycled materials you find around your house. Remember making an alphabet block hannukiah as a child? Recreate the experience with your family or community, and see how creative you can make your hannukiah! For inspiration, check out this article about a Green Menorah Contest and for a how-to guide check out these great suggestions from the Huffington Post.

Join the Green Menorah Covenant Coalition. Help reduce CO₂ emissions and environmental damage through this covenant that attempts to heal the planet of the climate crisis of global scorching. Learn more about the Green Menorah Covenant Coalition.

GIFTS

Make your own gifts! Take a photo and create your own frame, knit a scarf or a hat, or make your own beeswax candles. Also, bake a special Hanukkah dessert to give to friends and family as a more environmentally friendly gift.

Give money! Instead of giving chocolate Hanukkah gelt, give money to your local emergency food provider or hunger relief organization. For help finding a local emergency food provider near you, check out Ample Harvest.

Buy Fair Trade chocolate. If you still want chocolate gelt, opt for Fair Trade choices. We recommend: Chocolove, Dagoba, Equal Exchange, and Sunspire. Try making your own gelt using this great Jew & the Carrot recipe!

Save paper. Send environmentally-friendly e-cards as opposed to the traditional paper cards. Or, buy cards made from recycled paper. In addition, use recycled or recyclable paper when wrapping gifts.

Shop Hazon. The Hazon Store has a variety of gifts such as sustainably made t-shirts and infant bodysuits made from organic cotton, cycling jerseys and cycling socks.

DURING HANUKKAH

8 Days of Action. After lighting your menorah each evening, dedicate yourself to being more environmentally sustainable and enacting food justice when possible. Volunteer at your local emergency food provider one night, cook a meal for someone recovering from surgery the next night, and screen a movie relating to food justice another night.

Use local. Potatoes and other root vegetables are in abundance during the winter. Stop by your local farmers market and stock up prior to making your Hanukkah latkes.

Buy organic oil. Since Hanukkah frequently involves oil in some form for every meal, buying organic oil ensures a more sustainable celebration. We recommend Negev Nectars, which makes sustainable olive oil in the south of Israel.

Change up your latke! Rather than buying a traditional brand of sour cream, stock up on an all-natural or organic sourcream. More of an applesauce fan? Make your own from apples purchased locally or buy an organic brand. Learn about more changes on the traditional latke from the Jew & the Carrot!

Eat less meat. Use the festive opportunity to cut down on meat consumption and eat some of the wonderful produce that is available during the winter months.

Cut down on waste! If you’re hosting a Hanukkah party or large communal meal, use recyclable, reusable, or compostable plates and flatware. For tips on cutting back on waste, check out Chapter 3 of the Hazon Food Guide.

Buy Fair Trade. Fair Trade Judaica is home to a collection of fair trade products, including: menorahs, oil, gelt, dreidels, and decorations to help enhance your celebration of Hanukkah.

For more Jew & the Carrot articles concerning Hanukkah, check out the links below!