conducted an energy audit, but now, using reference materials on GreenFaith’s website, temple leaders began implementing a range of simple, lowcost measures that almost immediately reduced TSTI’s energy usage. “Replacing a 20-year-old refrigerator with an Energy Star appliance required an initial investment, but other steps, such as posting signs to conserve clean water— a scarce resource on the earth—were low-to-no cost, and just as effective,” says Phil Hoch (photo #2). TSTI leaders began adjusting programming times to concentrate energy usage, enabling the synagogue to “go dark” on Thursday evenings. In summer, when services are held in the smaller chapel, the building housing TSTI’s large sanctuary is practically shut down, saving on air conditioning costs. In addition, the congregation installed true seven-day programmable thermostats, which enable staffers to set back heat or air conditioning in areas of TSTI’s three buildings whenever they’re not in use. GreenFaith also inspired temple leaders to modernize TSTI’s lighting. “Rather than replace light fixtures, we decided to retrofit existing fixtures to accommodate smaller fluorescent bulbs, reducing energy usage to a fraction of the cost,” Hoch says. “And, by adding motion sensors in bathrooms, lights remain off when not in use. Motion-activated water faucets and towel dispensers encourage reductions in water and paper use.” So far, TSTI’s electrical usage has decreased by 14%. Combined with the congregation’s other energy-saving steps, temple leaders estimate savings of $15,000-$20,000 per year. And leaders are proud to have accomplished all of these changes solely by using a budget line earmarked for building maintenance. “The impact on the congregation has been huge,” Hoch says, “but the effort doesn’t have to be. Thinking small may actually have a bigger result.” TSTI president Jay Rice says that “the [congregational] response has all been positive—and believe me, when there’s a negative response, I hear about it. Everyone is glad we decided to do this. ” And
Rabbi Cohen adds: “When the synagogue changes its practices, it has the potential to influence every member.” TSTI is among four synagogues receiving sponsorship from the Union for Reform Judaism for its participation in the GreenFaith Certification Program. The pilot program began in 2010 with New Jersey synagogues and is now expanding to temples throughout the U.S. “GreenFaith certification results in increased building efficiency, but also encourages a broader conversation about the environment and good stewardship of the earth,” says Isaac Nuell (photo #3), manager of Congregational Social Action at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. “It’s the most achievable way to make the environment a priority.” ♦♦♦ Temple De Hirsch Sinai (tdhs-nw. org), a 1,500-household congregation, has combined energy efficiency with innovative sharing arrangements. Its two separate campuses on both sides of Lake Washington—a 100,000-squarefoot building that fills an entire block in Seattle and a 35,000-square-foot building in Bellevue—give congregants the option to attend services or programs at either location. In addition to renting facilities to local Jewish organizations, civic groups, and members for events, De Hirsch Sinai further maximizes the buildings’ profitability by offering “shared use” leases. On weekdays the temple leases its Seattle building’s classrooms to a non-denominational independent middle school, and the third floor of its Bellevue facility to a Catholic elementary school, bringing in a combined rental income of nearly $600,000 per year. “We have become adept in accommodating the schools that share our space,” says Larry Broder (photo #4), De Hirsch Sinai’s executive director. “We know exactly how to transform from a Catholic elementary school to a Jewish religious school. Every Friday they take down the crosses and we put up continued on next page reform judaism
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QUOTABLE from p. 66 However, for some families, a decision not to circumcise will be made without our input—or in spite of it—as so many decisions are….[And] in a movement rooted in the value of ‘choice through knowledge,’ we need to find alternative rites for those families. The New Jewish Baby Book by Anita Diamant provides a weath of potential covenant rituals, among them being wrapped in a tallit, being held under a symbolic chuppah, touching a Torah scroll, and having one’s feet washed...which might also be used to provide a covenantal experience for a male child whose parents choose not to have him circumcised.” —Rabbi Leah R. Berkowitz from The Reform Jewish Quarterly, Fall 2012
Muslim-Jewish Relations continued from page 51 for Muslims and Jews to respond jointly to major humanitarian crises, such as facilitating access to potable water. How can temples best reach out to mosques?
First, don’t reach out to the other congregation with a one-off game plan: “Let’s do this one thing together and see what happens.” We encourage deemphasizing the event and instead formulating a thoughtful plan to build the relationships behind the programs. When participants truly come to care about the other—and not just the program—you know it’s working. But bear in mind that this process doesn’t happen overnight, and it will have disagreements built in. Rabbinic school taught me a very important lesson: A healthy relationship is not devoid of conflict. What matters is that people commit to working through a problem, because their larger connection is much more important.
spring 2013
1/18/13 7:36 AM