THE EARTH NEEDS YOU, AND TEMPLE ISRAEL DOES TOO By Joan Rachlin “See to it that you do not spoil and destroy My world; for if you do, there will be no one else to repair it.” Midrash Kohelet Rabbah 7:13 Spring gives us a chance to reenergize, renew, and celebrate the Earth in all its fullness and miracles. Never has our planet been more under siege, and we must double our efforts to protect the Earth as mandated by the Torah and other sacred texts. Temple Israel, its Green Team, and the Building & Grounds Committee are working hard to mitigate the deepening climate crisis, and we need your help. We have applied to receive the GreenFaith Energy Shield1 certification, which is a national environmental “merit badge” for faith communities. If we succeed, Temple Israel will be the first reform congregation in New England to earn this valued credential. In order to earn the Shield, Temple Israel must do the following: • Develop a list of energy saving steps that will reduce our carbon footprint; • Plan educational activities for children, teens, and adults; • Include energy-themed prayers during services; • Recruit 15% of our members to sign a Home Energy Pledge
The Green Team and Building & Grounds Committee— with the help of Cantor Roy Einhorn, Executive Director Dan Deutsch, and the facilities staff—are taking several steps to meet these requirements. Included in their efforts are: 1. Replacing incandescent and CFL bulbs with LED bulbs; 2. Considering the addition of Joan Rachlin with Jim Buckle of Buckle Farm motion and temperature sensors; 3. Refining the HVAC controls so systems are operated at optimal, energy saving levels; 4. Weather stripping the rooms where air leaks have been identified through the use of an infrared camera; 5. Working to identify a Green Energy provider; 6. Exploring whether solar panels are an option for the roof; 7. Improving recycling practices at all TI events; 8. Purchasing glasses to replace plastic and moving toward plastic free events when food is served; 9. Launching a Green B’nei Mitzvah program to encourage families to be mindful of environmental values and sustainability practices. It is our sacred duty as Jews to alleviate environmental degradation and the human suffering it causes. Please do your part to preserve our fragile planet by signing the Home Energy Pledge.
How to Get Involved:
• Join the Buckle Farm CSA at www.bucklefarm.com/csa; • Come to our potluck dinner on May 5, following Qabbalat Shabbat services; • Contact Joan Rachlin for more information about the Home Energy Pledge; • Help bring Temple Israel’s garden bed back to life! Contact Joan Rachlin at rachlinj@aol.com for more information. 1
www.greenfaith.org/programs/greenfaith-shield/energy-shield www.tisrael.org/insight | 617-566-3960
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