Environmental Issues
News
- Structure blends spirituality and sustainability, Chicago Tribune, February 17, 2008
- Chicago Students Compete to Recycle Hannukiot, Jerusalem Post, December 8, 2007
- American Jewish Life magazine "Green Issue," July/August 2007
- Jews must do more to meet obligation to save environment, JTA, August 6, 2007
- Judaism Goes Green (PDF), Chicago Jewish News, June 22-28, 2007
- Temple plans eco-friendly makeover (PDF), Chicago Tribune, October 27, 2006
About the JCRC Environment Initiative
“You will know... that when you hid from Nature, you hid from yourself... We who have been turned away from Nature -- if we desire life, we must establish a new relationship with Nature"
--A.D. Gordon
The Jewish Community Relations Council’s Domestic Affairs Commission is actively working on environmental issues. Jewish teachings that serve as a roadmap for ethical and moral behavior place a high importance on our responsibility towards the environment.
This notion of protecting our communities has been around for thousands of years. Jewish holiday cycles are a constant reminder of our people’s connection with the environment.
Today, the need is even more acute. Many studies are showing health-related problems due to damaged air quality that affects us and future generations.
Our nation’s national security is also intertwined with environmental issues. The U.S. imports about 60% of its oil, much of it coming from countries hostile to democracy, oppose Israel’s existence and support terrorism. It is difficult, if not impossible to both fight the war on terrorism while financing it simultaneously. New technologies can help mitigate the over-reliance on oil.
And with energy costs rising, the ability for people to afford to heat and cool their homes and utilize adequate transportation is becoming more difficult. In line with Jewish teachings, our community’s responsibility to the environment is connected with those in need.
JCRC offers eight steps you can take (PDF) to be more environmentally responsible.
Federation buildings go green, and so can you, JUF News, September 2007
Jewish Environmental Coalition of the North Shore (JECNS)
JCRC is a founding member and executive committee member of the JECNS, formed in the summer of 2007. JECNS is composed of rabbis, synagogue lay leaders and Jewish organizations throughout the North Shore who recognize the Jewish community must act as guardians of the earth for future generations. JECNS is an educational and programmatic resource for repairing the world, tikkun olam, in the environmental context.
On Sunday, November 18, 2007, the JECNS held its inaugural event, "If Not Now, When? A North Shore Approach to Sustainability." Several hundred Jewish community members participated in the day's activities that included:
- A keynote speech by Rabbi Steve Gutow, Executive Director of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs
- A green fair with over 50 exhibitors
- A text study led by 16 local rabbis
The Light Among the Nations Campaign
In order to address these pressing issues, JCRC and the JFMC Facilities Corporation have joined to sponsor the “Light Among the Nations” (PDF) campaign. This program offers Jewish institutions and community members compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) at well below retail costs. These light bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 5 times longer. This not only emits less greenhouse gasses required to light our homes but it saves us hundreds of dollars in energy costs each year. Learn more about how you can obtain CFLs for your synagogue or home (PDF).
JCRC can also help your synagogue run an event with your synagogue to sell these environmentally-friendly bulbs at your next event. Request more information.
