Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

Sustainable WorldIn 1990 JRF passed a movement-wide resolution (see attachments below) on the environment and congregational life. Since 2006 we offered conference calls and resources on Sustainable Synagogues and Living a Jewish Life Rooted in Ecological Values.

Read the notes from the 2007 call.

With the enthusiasm around JRF's Omer Learning Initiative, (2010 Omer Sustainability call- http://jrf.org/pearl/2011/Sustainability) as well as the solid response of JRF congregations in the Climate Change and Blessing the Sun (Solar Energy) Initiatives, JRF continues to deepen our work with member communities, other religious movements and partner organizations (JCPA, COEJL) in the area of sustainability.

Our hope is to motivate and educate our congregations in sustainable practices, with the goal of reaching 100 percent participation in the years ahead. See a list of the 15 Communities and Individuals honored at the JRF 2008 Convention as part of our Sustainable Synagogue Intiative.

See information about the Jewish Climate Change Initiative and Shabbat Noach, JRF's participation in the International Climate Change Initiative.

Additional calls and webinars have been offered through our PEARL leadership series. See the Sustainability programs at www.jrf.org/pearl/archive and additional resources through our partner organization Greenfaith: www.jrf.org/greenfaith

Read Brant Rosen's Yom Kippur devar Torah that inspired the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation in Evanston to reach for the highest level of sustainability in their capital campaign. You will also find documents from JRC about their Green policies, educational material and promotional flyer for environmental awareness attached below.

Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb created a text study on climate change that incorporates elements of musar with other diverse material from our tradition.

Also see the JTA's February 2008 coverage of JRC's receiving the first Platinum LEEDS ratingfor a synagogue in the United States.

NEW RESOURCES JUST ADDED!

For an equally inspiring High Holy Day sermon see Rabbi Sheryl Lewart's talk on living an environmentally sustainable life and Kehillat Israel's Five Mitzvot for Sustainable Living.

Also available is a wonderful meditation on environmental consciousness tied to the seven days of creation by Peter Goldberg of Shir Hadash, Milwaukee, WI, and inspiring materials from Dor Hadash, PA and Darchei Noam, Toronto, Canada and JRC, Evanston, IL (both moved into their new environmentally upgraded buildings in 2008).

For an example of a creative way of community organizing and educating about sustainability simultaneously see Philadelphia's Playback for Change at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ut6eLHEyF8

Environmental resources in Israel

Arava Institute & Kibbutz Ketura

Nurit, new eco-friendly town in Israel being built on the Gilboa

Green Zionist Alliance

The Heschel Centre for Envrionmental Learning and Leadership

Yeshivat Simchat Shlomo Eco Activist Beit Midrash

The Ecological Greenhouse Ein-Shemer

APRIL 8, 2009- 5769 BIRKHAT HACHAMA (BLESSING OF THE SUN)

2008-9 (5769) will be the little known Jewish year of “Birkhat Hachamah” the “blessing of the sun”. JRF is part of a national coalition (BlesstheSun.org) that will use this rare event to focus on solar power and energy stewardship.

a href="http://www.ritualwell.org/holidays/sitefolder.2008-09-16.5411107743/
">Ritualwell.org- managed through Kolot: The Center for Gender Studies at RRC and in coordination with JRF has also uploaded resources for Birkhat Hachamah at
Additional Resources on Judaism and the sustainability are available at:

http://jrf.org/omer2008-enviro

http://jrf.org/node/1264#enviro

http://jrf.org/omer/2007

COEJL Greening Synagogue Guide by R. Fred Dobb

The Shalom Center's Green Menorah Covenant

Synagogue Council of Massachussetts- Green Initiative

Boston COEJL Synagogue Green Guide

Education material from CAJE

URJ (Reform)

Synagogue Architecture
Green buildings

USCJ/RA (Conservative):

Also see: http://www.fjmc.org/ShomreiHaaretz.html

OU (Orthodox)

Also see: http://ouradio.org/images/uploads/events/Repairing_The_Future.pdf

Ethical Kashrut

How does your community's practices align with the JRF resolution and the actions and commitments of other JRF communities? To add your resources to this initiative please e-mail SZevit@jrf.org