Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

From constructing new buildings out of recycled materials, to installing a compact-fluorescent ner tamid, to joining together in song, JRF congregations are engaged in protecting their natural environment, reducing their carbon footprint, and ensuring a inheritance for those who come after them.

In partnership with COEJL and JCPA, our hope is to motivate and educate our congregations in sustainable practices, with the goal of reaching 100 percent participation in the years ahead. Building upon the resolution on the environment passed by JRF in 1990, our movement continues to labor towards facilitating a globally sustainable approach to living in faith community.

During this second week of Omer teaching, we are highlighting these many environmental sustainability initiatives taking place ...

Below, as an attachment, you will find a PDF resource packet and the recording from our environmental sustainability - PEARL tele-conference call, featuring:

• A teaching by Rabbi Shawn Zevit of JRF
• Links to environmental material on the JRF website
• Notes from the Sustainable Synagogues Conference Call, held on June 6, 2007
• A derash by Cantor Eric Schulmiller, from the Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore
• News clippings about the new building constructed by the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation in Evanston, IL - the greenest synagogue in America
• The "Green Year Initiative" instituted by Congregation Shir Hadash in Milwaukee, WI
• Urban Environmental Sustainability programming
  created by Kol Tzedek in Philadelphia, PA.

As you read through the teaching, feel free to add comments on this page about your own experiences or use the listserve or web page to ask questions.

For more information, please contact Rabbi Shawn Zevit at JRF, 215-885-5601 x 24.