K'vod HaTeva (Honoring Nature) Committee & Ethical Kashrut cont.

Non-Toxic Cleaning Products

Together with synagogue staff, K'vod Ha Teva performed an inventory of all cleaning products used in congregational buildings and disposed of all toxic products, such as old bottles of pesticides, various caustic chemicals and cleaning products harmful to children and aquatic environments. Working toward the goal of establishing sustainable and restorative practices as a Jewish community, they researched how to switch to products that are safe for humans as well as the animals and plants that are downstream of our waste water pipes. They have replaced toxic cleaning products with an environmentally friendly line of products produced by an Oregon company (thereby going the extra mile to support sustainable practices by buying locally).

Blue Vinyl Film Showings and Residency

In 2003, Temple Beth Israel hosted award-winning documentary filmmaker, Judith Helfand, for a four-day residency and two showings of her film Blue Vinyl. The film showings attracted over 600 people. At the second film showing, TBI arranged to have a panel of distinguished experts in “green” building and toxics use reduction join with Helfand for more in-depth discussion. Helfand spoke at three events at the University of Oregon, and twice at TBI -- once for children and once for members of the Board of Directors and Committee chairs.