Greening Synagogues

A Project from COEJL and GreenFaith, New Jersey’s Interfaith Environmental Coalition 2005-2007

Introduction
COEJL worked to transform New Jersey synagogues into centers of environmental awareness, stewardship, and justice. This project served as a prototype for synagogues in other U.S. metropolitan areas and with houses of worship from Christian and other faith traditions in New Jersey and beyond.

Together with the New Jersey based nonprofit group, GreenFaith, COEJL reached congregations representing all of the major Jewish denominations. We helped these institutions conserve energy and use renewable energy, improve the environmental sustainability of their operations, deepen their awareness of environmental stewardship in a Jewish context, and encourage their involvement in environmental advocacy.

Participating congregations included 1) Bnai Keshet (Reconstructionist) in Montclair, NJ; 2) Congregation Agudath Israel (Conservative) in West Caldwell, NJ; 3) Congregation Sharey Tefilo-Israel (Reform) in South Orange, NJ; 4) Kesher Community Synagogue (Orthodox) in Englewood; 5) Temple Israel (Conservative) in Ridgewood; and 6) Temple Beth El (Reform) in Closter

How Does Greening Synagogues Work
*Note: We are currently not accepting applications*

After receiving the completed application, COEJL and GreenFaith staff scheduled a consultation to determine the synagogue’s suitability for Greening Synagogues. COEJL and GreenFaith based their determination on factors such as breadth of rabbinic and lay leader commitment and synagogue willingness to serve as a public model site.

Once a synagogue was selected, COEJL and GreenFaith presented synagogue leaders with a Menu of Options outlining potential activities in each of the three areas. Synagogue leaders selected their options and worked closely with COEJL and GreenFaith to publicize and carry out the activities. Potential activities included:

• An energy audit and energy conservation retrofits
• Torah study for adults on Judaism and the environment
• An environmental health and justice tour of an environmentally blighted area
• Jewish environmental education for children
• Solar panel installation at the synagogue
• A Jewish-environmental advocacy visit to legislators
• Reduction/elimination of toxic cleaning/maintenance products

How Do I Learn More?
For more information, contact Liore Milgrom-Elcott at COEJL (212-532-7436, liore@coejl.org) or Reverend Fletcher Harper at GreenFaith (609-394-1090, revharper@greenfaith.org).

Greening Synagogues - Menu of Options (pdf)

Greening Synagogues - Environmental Attitudes Surveys (pdf)

Greening Synagogues Resources

Green Your Summer Camp Resources