TEMPE, AZ (December 16, 2011) – Each year Jewish families across Arizona fill up their frying pans with oil to make latkes (fried potato pancakes), a traditional Hanukkah dish. Now families are adding a second miracle - the miracle of recycling.

Working with REV Biodiesel for the third year, Temple Emanuel of Tempe will have a barrel from Rev Biodiesel in the Temple parking lot to collect used latke and/or other cooking oil. Citing past collection data, Dan Rees, president of REV, said that Emanuel of Tempe collections of leftover oil from one night of latkes can be recycled to produce enough biodiesel to run a vehicle for up to eight miles.

According to tradition, Hanukkah or Chanukah commemorates the Jewish people's successful rebellion against the Greeks in the Maccabean War in 162 BCE. A ritual cleansing and rededication of the Temple occurred after the Jewish victory. It is believed that there was only enough consecrated oil to keep the lamp burning for one day but the small bottle of oil miraculously lasted for eight days. Hanukkah is referred as the Feast of Lights or Festival of Lights for this reason. Jewish families fry latkes in oil as a reminder of the miracle of the oil.

Temple Emanuel of Tempe member Paul White said that each year members are encouraged to bring their used Hanukkah oil to Temple Emanuel of Tempe and create their own "mini-miracle" by pouring it into the recycling barrel. "We think of it as an adding a second 'modern miracle of the oil.'"

To schedule a photo shoot or broadcast, contact Susan Bryan at 928-340-3403 or via email at susanb@revbiodiesel.com)

About Temple Emanuel of Tempe
Temple Emanuel of Tempe serves Reform Jewish families in the East Valley of Phoenix. It is located at 5801 S. Rural Road in Tempe. For more information, see http://emanueloftempe.org or call 480-838-1414.

About REV Biodiesel
Based in Gilbert, Arizona, Pure Earth Energy Resources, LLC (PEER), dba REV Biodiesel, is a completely self-financed producer of alternative fuels including ASTM International certified biodiesel fuel. All REV biodiesel is produced from waste vegetable oil and grease from restaurants and private sources. The company operates a state-of-the-art biodiesel production facility able to produce 11,200 gallons of biodiesel fuel per day, with projected volumes ramping to 40,000 gal/day in 2012.