Congregation Sinai affirms its commitment to the stewardship of the environment, particularly in a time when the threats to the planet from energy use are an increasingly serious cause for concern. As part of our commitment to bal tashchit, the biblical principle guiding us not to destroy nor waste, and tikkun olam, the healing and repair of the world, Congregation Sinai will seek to

• make ecologically sensitive decisions

• raise awareness of environmental challenges and issues

• strive to promote a culture within our synagogue community that recognizes and affirms the importance of environmental considerations.

Policy Goals: Three goals will guide Sinai’s efforts: 1. Sinai’s Building and Grounds: Sinai will aim to reduce the ecological footprint of our building and its grounds 2. Sinai will strive to make informational and educational resources available for Sinai’s administrators, committees and congregants to assist them in making environmentally conscious choices. 3. Wider Community: Sinai will engage its membership in environmental projects both within the Jewish community and within the wider Milwaukee area, working with other synagogues and organizations for the purpose of promoting environmental awareness and supporting community efforts.

Toward actualization of these goals, Action Plans that are created will consider and define any economic impact and/or other considerations (e.g. aesthetics, parameters, feasibility, etc.) that would result from implementation of any program or procedure.

The Talmud explains: while the sage, Choni, was walking along a road, he saw a man planting a carob tree.

Choni asked him: “How long will it take for this tree to bear fruit?”

“Seventy years,” replied the man.

Choni then asked: “Are you so healthy a man that you expect to live that length of time and eat its fruit?”

The man answered: “I found a fruitful world because my ancestors planted it for me. Likewise, I am planting for my children.”