DRAFT JRC Environmental Task Force – 2-23-04
Responses to BTF Questionnaire In Preparation for Design & Building Process
Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, Evanston, Illinois

CURRENT BUILDING USE

Committee meets out of building – no room there

High Holiday Discussion Groups - classrooms OK

Tu B’Shvat Tisch – we use the Sanctuary and the Kitchen
(We use the Sanctuary because this is a religious service and because it is accessible)

Sanctuary - We are filled up – more space or adjacent social hall for food would help (could also be held in the social hall)

Kitchen – No dishwasher/dishes. (We had folks bring their own dishes in order not to use disposables – this is mostly symbolic as it only happens once a year). No facilities to wash and reuse table linens and dish towels. Common serving pieces are often dirty or sticky and unappealing. Need to be hand washed before and after. The kitchen is far from the sanctuary, which makes logistics harder.

PHYSICAL NEEDS IN NEW BUILDING

Kitchen – Well designed with dishwasher for large events as well as weekday/school/preschool/staff use. The dishwasher should be easy to use and easy to train folks to use. Kitchen should be centrally located and easily accessible from all levels of Synagogue. (Possibly 1st floor?)

Possible clothes washer/dryer for tablecloths/aprons/dishtowels/rags etc. (check codes re: high enough temperature.

Use all Energy Star Appliances

Staff training and compensation in use of HVAC zoning, recycling, buying non toxic cleaning supplies, and kitchen upkeep

DREAMS FOR A NEW BUILDING

Goal

We see Tikkun Olam – Healing the Earth as a clear spiritual and moral imperative of Reconstructionist Judaism. We see JRC’s new home as our spiritual “living room,” as a special place – a refuge – that exemplifies our highest ideals. To this end we envision a new home built on principles and practices that model respect for the earth rather than excessive consumption of the world’s finite resources. We want a building that is beautiful, designed to inspire and facilitate individual spirituality and positive communal interactions: A Holy place.

By making “sustainable” and “green” decisions in our building process we hope to inspire both JRC members and the broader community to make similar environmentally aware decisions in their own lives.

To this end we would like to target LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification at the Gold or Platinum level.

Our sense from discussions with Sharon Feigon at the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) is that this can be attained within a normal construction budget if, and only if, it is part of the initial concept and design and follow through and part of our contract with the architects.

We would include a LEED consultant in the earliest phases of the design concept, to plan with him/her how to attain this goal. They would be able to evaluate the probable cost and payback of various “LEED point” options and decide on the level of certification to go for – Gold? Platinum? -- and which “LEEDs points” we can realistically expect to receive.

Include LEED/Green plans in the contract with the architect/engineer and designate the JRC project manager/owners’ rep as liaison to follow up and be sure these items stay in the plan. During the construction phase, delegate a person to keep all the documentation and paperwork current as LEED point criteria are met.

The following are some ideas of features which we hope will be considered to meet LEED criteria for our beautiful new home:

Sustainable Site:

1. Minimum site disturbance during construction. Preservation of existing landscaping if possible, especially trees planted in memory of loved ones.
2. Roof: highly reflective to avoid a “heat island” – consider a green roof or photovoltaic roof.
3. Bike racks and stroller parking to encourage an alternative to driving.
4. Parking – priority spots for car-pools.
5. Public transportation – if considering a new site be sure that we are accessible to public transportation.
6. Landscaping with deciduous trees or vines for shading in summer.
7. Landscaping with natural plantings to avoid the need for pesticides, chemical fertilizers and watering as well as providing habitat for animals.

Water Efficiency:

1. Lo-flow plumbing fixtures.
2. Roof runoff into rain garden or special closed barrels for garden use.
3. Pervious material in parking lot and water-absorbing side plantings.

Minimize energy consumption by:

1. Energy-Star appliances throughout (kitchen, offices, HVAC).
2. Zoned Heating/AC with high performance controls and operable windows – a compact 3 story building has inherent efficiencies in HVAC.
3. Reduce heating and cooling loads by: Top level insulation siting windows and skylights for maximum natural lighting designed for maximum winter sunlight and awnings or overhangs for summer shading and winter sunshine. Possible dark flooring for passive solar heating.
4. Energy efficient lighting systems – at a minimum fluorescents and compact fluorescents – possible LED lighting available by the time we are building (LED lights use 1/80 the power of incandescent bulbs).
5. Consider alternative energy sources such as solar thermal, solar photovoltaic, geothermal and wind. Minimum – a symbolic photovoltaic Ner Tamid.

Materials and Resources:

1. Minimize waste and landfill during demolition by seeking out organizations or companies who will reuse or recycle as much as possible from the old building, e.g.: there is a carpeting company who will take and recycle our old carpeting if we spec their recycled carpeting for the new building. There may be other architectural specialty companies.
2. Have separate dumpsters for recyclables, reusables and landfill.
3. Use materials that are as sustainable as possible:
   • Wood from certified sustainable forests
   • Furnishings made from recycled materials – carpeting, flooring, parking stops, playground equipment, decking
   • Furnishing made from rapidly renewable sources such as bamboo or cork flooring, sunflower seed or wheat board for furniture.
4. Use materials that are produced as locally as possible, limiting transportation costs.

Indoor environment/air quality:

1. Have a non-smoking environment.
2. Avoid toxic emissions from paints (Non VOC or Low VOC), adhesives, carpeting, office furniture (wheat board not pressboard).
3. Outdoor air ventilation (again operable windows) in conjunction with high efficiency HVAC.
4. Possibly a separate room for printing and duplicating, to keep fumes from staff and kids.
5. Interior green plants and natural spaces for aesthetics and air purifying
6. Washable floor mats to wipe shoes to avoid tracking in pollutants

Innovation and Design:

1. Explore innovative technologies such as solar and wind power, the frozen ball cooling system a la CNT.
2. Recycling bins attractively designed into public spaces (foyer?, social hall?, classroom corridor?) to facilitate community leadership in special recycling programs (we already collect batteries and eyeglasses).
3. Community leadership as an “entrance to Evanston.” We have a high profile site with an opportunity to showcase green architecture as a way to live our values.

Many JRC members have come forward with skills, energy and resources to contribute to this effort. We are eager to support this process in any way that we can.

3/10/04, notes from COEJL Rabbinic Fellow Fred Scherlinder Dobb to JRC environmental committee leaders: Julie, Jerry, Sybil, et al–

…Remember that there is a value in partial steps -- shoot for gold or platinum LEED certification, absolutely, but be aware along the way that even silver would be remarkable, and probably a first in synagogue history. Depending on the nature of the board, it might be easier to get approval of this document if it defines success in analog terms, not just digital...

As for money, I wish I had sources! …for now, nada. Again, however, there are ways to craft the Capital Campaign that (a) use the green agenda as a source of pride and purpose which helps the larger building effort, and in turn reinforces commitment for eco-enhancements, and (b) might enable a dedicated stream, or at least trickle, of funds raised specifically for or in the name of such eco-enhancements.

…I’m looking forward to happy updates, to more collaboration, and to someday visiting your new facility that'll be the talk of the movement... Thanks again! l'shalom, Fred