The Alternative Press

With ten months remaining in the two-year Green Faith Certification program, Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel (TSTI) announced its completion of the required 25  actions and awareness items in seven categories:  Energy, Waste, Water, Toxins, Transportation, Grounds Maintenance and Food. 

The diverse list of items  includes: 

1. Installed motion sensor water faucets: While water appears to be unlimited, the U.N. estimates only 1% of the world supply is drinkable.  TSTI is  trying to eliminate water waste.
2. Eliminated bottled water:  The environmental issues connected with the number  of plastic discarded via water bottles is obvious, and TSTI is eliminating  its contribution to this problem.
3. Installed bike rack:-If congregants bike to TSTI, they will  spend less time in their cars, thus reducing  their carbon footprint.
4. Installed two bird feeders:  While creating an easy refuge, the congregation also hopes to have inhabitants that can create learning and awareness for children who attend its  Religious School and Early Childhood programs.
5. Closed unused fireplace flues: Easily forgotten at the end of each season, open fireplace flues become costly energy mistakes throughout the year.
6. Installed programmable thermostats:  These inexpensive items save in energy expenses at  many multiples of their cost.
7. Installed motion sensor light controls:It is easy for the last person leaving a room to forget to turn off lights.  Like thermostats, the cost vs benefit is an easy win.
8. Conducted Women’s Connection Hike- The TSTI women’s organization  coordinated this  well-attended multi-generational outdoor event.

According to TSTI Rabbi Daniel M. Cohen, “The congregation will continue to participate  in a wide variety of activities as part of the two-year Certification Program.  Upon completion, TSTI  will become certified as a GreenFaith Sanctuary, and will be looked to as a leader in the Reform Movement’s greening efforts.”

The Union for Reform Judaism, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and GreenFaith have joined together to launch the Greening Reform Judaism Pilot Program

The TSTI team,  co-chaired by synagogue members Sue and Phil Hoch, is currently working on an action plan with activities that includes:

• Continuing to green the TSTI facilities’ operations
• Conducting environmental justice education and advocacy
•  Offering environmentally-themed worship services and education programs for all ages
• Communicating  the synagogue’s work to local media outlets
• Taking on the additional responsibility of serving as mentors to other Reform Jewish communities nationwide that are seeking to deepen their engagement with environmentalism
• Sending  congregational leaders  to social action programs at the Union for Reform Judaism, at which they can  share their experiences with other members of the Reform Movement

Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel, a Reform Jewish congregation in South Orange, has long been the spiritual home to a diverse community that welcomes and includes Jews of traditional and non-traditional backgrounds, young families, singles, empty-nesters, multi-generational households and families with non-Jewish spouses or parents.                                                              

Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel offers a wide range of programs and opportunities, from its thriving pre-school and well-regarded elementary, middle and high school religious education to its social action and “Green Team” activities.  We welcome all who wish to participate in the traditions and rituals of the Jewish people.  Our goal is to perpetuate the religious principles and moral values of Judaism by providing an environment for worship, education, spirituality, and service for our members and the larger community.

GreenFaith is an interfaith coalition for the environment that was founded in 1992.  They work with houses of worship, religious schools and people of all faiths to help them become better environmental stewards.