Getting Started

THE FIRST 5 “E’s”

Before you begin your SAP, consider these First 5 E’s:

1. ESTABLISH an SAP Team. This can be a combination of volunteers, lay leadership and professional staff. The greater the mix of skills, the better.

2. ENLIST the active support of your Rabbi or Minister. Our Trustees and Rabbinic Advisory Board include Rabbis from the United Synagogue, Sephardi, Masorti, Reform and Liberal communities. They would each be delighted to talk directly to your spiritual leader about membership of EcoJudaism.

3. ENGAGE a member of your Synagogue Board or Council on the Environmental Impact Team and ask for the Board or Council’s formal backing.

4. ENCOURAGE the involvement of at least two young members of your community in your Environmental Impact Team who are passionate about the environment.

5. ENERGISE your young by involving cheder teachers and youth leaders.

Click here to download the SAP Questions & Scores (PDF)

Every community is different: some buildings are old, some listed, some new; some communities own neither outdoor space* nor a building or own a building but no outdoor space. If you need any clarification regarding our scoring system, please contact Donna Cohen our Community Sustainability Lead donna@ecojudaism.org.uk

*EcoJudaism defines outdoor space as any area external to the building, including a garden, carpark, terrace, roof terrace or balcony, patio or wall space for plants

A 12 month step by step process:

1. Appoint an Eco Lead – A shul member who has the commitment and enthusiasm to champion and manage the annual SAP process
2. Register online here if you are a new EcoJudaism member
3. Pay the annual subscription fee for your synagogue size. This applies to existing and new members (see rates above)
4. You will receive payment confirmation and registration certificate from our Community Sustainability Lead, Donna Cohen
5. Donna will arrange an initial 30 min online meeting with you to talk you through the process and explain how to start your self-assessment
6. Gather your Environmental Impact Team and connect with other people who may be of help
7. Start your SAP initial assessment and submit results to Donna
8. Arrange a follow-up 30 min consultation with Donna who will help you plan your potential next level award target, and the suggested projects to achieve that level
9. Over the next 12 months undertake your eco projects and keep us updated with your progress and any events you organise. We’d love to promote your work on our social media channels, newsletters and EcoTeam Meets
10. After 12 months assess your progress against the SAP criteria and resubmit online. The submission deadline for our next awards is 30^th May 2025
11. Donna will assess and evaluate award submissions and inform you of the outcomes and any next steps
12. All Eco Leads will be invited to EcoJudaism’s annual summer awards celebration

SAP Terminology:

‘Consistently’: Takes place as an integral part of our synagogue’s life, ie. at least 3 times during the Jewish year

‘Sometimes’: Takes place or is part of our synagogue activities or operations once or twice during the Jewish year.

‘Not currently’: An action which our synagogue may work towards in the future

Section 4 – Adaptations for communities:

Communities with Outdoor space & Buildings: complete ALL sections.

Communities with Buildings only: tick n/a until “Buildings” section.

Communities with No Outdoor Space or Buildings: tick n/a until “Consumables” section

Awards:

A Bronze Award requires a 40% score

A Silver Award requires a 60% score

A Gold Award requires an 80% score

An Ambassador Award requires a 100% score