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We work to create a healthier and more sustainable Jewish
community, and a healthier and more sustainable world for
all. |
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July
2014 | Tammuz 5774
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From the JGF Director |
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Can You Afford Going
Green? |
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Mirele B. Goldsmith, JGF Director |
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“We can’t afford it.” That’s a common
response when I suggest that Jewish organizations reduce waste and
pollution, protect health and safety, and demonstrate leadership in the
transition to a greener world. But the truth is - you can afford
it.
It’s Free!
Greenburgh Hebrew Center is saving money on
electricity this summer, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, by
turning off the air conditioning in the social hall and holding the
Shabbat kiddush in the lobby. Another no-cost step is to switch to
green cleaning products that protect your members from toxic
chemicals and reduce water pollution. They cost less because they are
sold in concentrated form. The
Jewish Community Relations Council, which rents
office space in Manhattan, worked with the building management
company to make the switch to green cleaning. Now all tenants benefit
at no extra cost.
Get a Grant.
Kane Street Synagogue replaced 200 incandescent
bulbs in the historic sanctuary with LED bulbs with the help of a
generous subsidy from Con Ed. The congregation will recoup the cost
in one year and reap the savings in electricity costs for the 10-15
year lifespan of the bulbs. Find out about opportunities for your
organization to receive free or reduced-cost upgrades by undergoing a
free or subsidized audit from Con Ed, NYSERDA, NYSEG, or your energy
provider.
Spend Less. Check your budget for recurring purchases. You can reduce
waste while saving money. Last year the
Abraham Joshua Heschel School spent $1,600 per
month on paper cups. This year the school gave each teacher a
personalized mug to reduce waste and save money. Similarly, at
Shelter Rock Jewish Center a member purchased
breakfast dishes for the Morning Minyan to eliminate the use of
disposables. Be sure to track your savings from these projects so
that you can invest them in more ambitious ones.
Make Money. Your expertise in greening is valuable. School groups are
coming to
Berkshire Hills Eisenberg Camp for green-themed
retreats that generate income in the camp’s off-season. And
spreading the word about your commitment to greening attracts donors.
This year,
Solomon Schechter of Long Island’s annual
benefit, highlighting the School’s commitment to Jewish values
of environmental stewardship, was the most successful ever. The theme
was Shomrei Adamah (Guardians of the Earth.)
Finally, remember that your organization’s budget reflects your
values. You don’t always opt for the cheapest solution. You
make choices to pay your staff a living wage, provide health
benefits, grant scholarships, and raise funds for programs that are
central to your mission. Make the choice to go green. You can afford
it.
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Ner Tamid Powered by
the Sun |
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Miriam Massen, Executive Director and Greening Fellow,
Temple Israel Center White
Plains
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What has six points and is shaped like a star? Our new
solar-powered ner tamid (eternal light). Over a year ago,
our Temple Israel Center Green Team decided to convert the
ner tamid in our Sanctuary to solar power. It has been a
long journey since then.
Working through the
Federation of Jewish Men’s
Clubs, we purchased a solar kit including a
solar collector panel, electronics unit, solar charge
controller, back-up battery charger, and electrical
connection kit.
Our goal was to convert the ner tamid in our Main
Sanctuary to solar power. However, we failed to consider
that our Sanctuary ceiling is slanted and over 40 feet
high, and the ner tamid is hard-wired right into the
ceiling. It hangs about 20 feet from the top of that
majestic, but hard-to-reach, ceiling. Furthermore, we had
nowhere to safely install the solar collector panel. So
we moved on to plan B – converting the ner tamid in our
Chapel to solar power. We realized that that there was
symmetry and synergy in using solar energy in the sacred
space where we pray each morning with the rising of the
sun, and each evening with the sun’s
setting.
Thankfully, our Building Manager, Sandro Pillcurima, had
just finished a course of study on electricity. The solar
collector panel was installed on our gym roof, where it
captures about 6 hours of sun each day. The wiring,
neatly hidden in conduit, was run into the building to a
heating panel near the front of the Chapel. The ner tamid
was retrofitted for DC power using long-lasting LED
lights. Finally, in mid-July we went live! The
sun-powered ner tamid has been constantly lit since then,
powered during the day by the sun and at night by the
electric power stored in the batteries.
As we learned with Rabbi Lawrence Troster, who spoke to
the Greening Fellows, “In a modern ecological
context, we can continue to have our synagogue spaces
reflect Creation by turning them into living, green,
healthy buildings that support life rather than
contributing to its destruction.” Our Temple Israel
Center Green Team is proud to have transformed our ner
tamid from a symbol of inspiration to an instrument of
kedusha (holiness) and fulfillment of mitzvah
(commandment) for our community.
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My Eyes Were
Opened at the Teva Seminar |
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Amy Kohen, 4th Grade Teacher, Solomon Schechter School
of Westchester
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At the
Teva Seminar on Jewish Environmental, Food, and Outdoor Education, my eyes were
opened to a whole new world. I earned about
sustainability, gardening, reducing waste, and so much
more. As a Green Team member at my school, I was
able to receive a grant from the Jewish Greening
Fellowship to attend. This past year Teva educators
visited our school and we kicked off recycling and
composting. A session by
Canfei Nesharim at the Teva Seminar
introduced me to new ideas for educating kids about waste
reduction. I also liked all the singing about the
world and community and our effect on it. I would
like to integrate these songs into my morning
meeting. Now I hope to embark upon a year-long
journey to educate children on minimizing food waste and
thinking about their global footprint. What a
wonderful experience!
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Calendar |
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To RSVP for these events, contact
mirele.goldsmith@hazon.org
Wednesday, August 6, 5:30 pm
LI Summer Gathering at Camp Jacobson, Old
Westbury
Tour the Camp’s garden to get ideas for gardening
education and for teaching about the Shmita (Sabbatical)
Year. All welcome.
Sunday, August 24 – Tuesday, August 26
JGF Retreat at Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat
Center
Please note that Final Reports for organizations in the
2013-2014 JGF Cohort are due on August 8, 2014.
Monday, September 15, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
JGF Graduation at UJA-Federation of
NY
Celebrate with the 2013-2014 Greening Fellows, Green
Teams, and Senior Leaders. All welcome.
Sunday, September 21
People’s Climate March NYC
March with the
Jewish Climate Change
Campaign. Sign on now and use our
resources to start publicizing the March and planning to
bring a group of your members.
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ReSources You Can ReUse! |
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