1. Our Synagogue Board/Council has a written and approved environmental policy in place.
Synagogue Environmental Policy – Example by Barnet United Synagogue
Synagogue Environmental Policy – Example by Chigwell & Hainault Synagogue
Synagogue Environmental Policy – Example by Newcastle Reform Synagogue
Synagogue Environmental Policy – Example by West London Synagogue
3. Special Sermons about environmental issues are delivered in our Synagogue
Noah for the 21st Century by Rabbi Wollenberg, Woodford Forest United Synagogue
A MULTI-FACETED ENVIRONMENTALISM, inspired by the words of Rabbi Lord Sacks z”l
3. Over the past 12 months our synagogue has explored the mitzvah of ‘Bal Tashchit’ (do not waste, do not destroy) with our members and encouraged them to preserve natural resources and limit their waste through reducing, reusing, refilling and recycling
Learn about refilling, reusing and bulk buying from Wefil
Recycling guide (with permission from Which?)
6. Over the past 12 months our synagogue has explored with members the Jewish concept of ‘Tikkun Olam’ (‘Repairing the world’) in terms of the biodiversity crisis and encourages members to restore and enhance plant life and wildlife in their personal outdoor spaces
What can you grow in outside areas of the Synagogue produce wise?
What can you grow in outside areas of the Synagogue to encourage native wildlife?
8. Our Our synagogue website and/or our social media includes practical lifestyle tips and advice on reducing emissions and caring for the environment. For example, how to reduce member’s personal gas and electricity consumption and promoting EcoJudaism’s One Green Step initiative
Encouraging members to reduce personal energy consumption
10. Our synagogue invests its funds ethically, and rates the ESG (Environmental, Social
and Governance) sustainability of its portfolio (eg with MSCI or another rating organisation)
OUTDOOR SPACE
1. Our synagogue’s outdoor space(s) includes an area(s) set aside for an eco garden
What can you grow in outside areas of the Synagogue produce wise?
What can you grow in outside areas of the Synagogue to encourage native wildlife?
2. Our synagogue’s members engage in wildlife friendly gardening and horticulture on its grounds
Eco planting spring bulbs in containers
What can you grow in outside areas of the Synagogue produce wise?
What can you grow in outside areas of the Synagogue to encourage native wildlife?
BUILDINGS
1. We have measured our energy use and calculated the carbon footprint of our synagogue building(s) within the past three to five years
Carbon Footprint Calculation for Synagogues
2. We have set targets for reducing the carbon footprint of our synagogue building(s) in order to achieve year on year improvements in energy efficiency
Carbon Footprint Calculation for Synagogues
3. We offset the carbon footprint of our synagogue building(s) through ecologically sound channels in those areas in which we cannot reduce it
Carbon Footprint Calculation for Synagogues
Carbon Storage and Conservation with JTree
4. The electricity supplied to our synagogue building(s) is generated from renewable resources and/or metered according to our supplier’s ‘green tariff’
Energy from renewable resources & synagogue insulation
5. In terms of energy efficiency, the boiler on our synagogue premises is rated (an engineer should be able to determine this as part of the annual service)
How to determine your boiler’s rating
6/7/8. Our synagogue premises are insulated wherever possible in our main Sanctuary/halls/offices & classrooms
Energy from renewable resources & synagogue insulation
10/12/13. The lighting in our synagogue building(s) uses energy-efficient light bulbs in our main sanctuary/halls/offices & classrooms
BUILDINGS
3. Any disposable catering products (e.g. paper cups and plates etc.) provided by our community administration
Compostable or biodegradable – What is the difference?
5. Recycled toilet paper is provided by our community administration.
An ethical toilet paper company you may wish to investigate
6. Recycling facilities are available through our community administration, for paper, glass, cans, plastics, fabrics, TerraCycle or similar
PART 1:
6/7. Events/Kiddushim at our synagogue are vegetarian or vegan
Lara Balsam, Director, Jewish Vegetarian Society writes for EcoSynagogue, “Your diet could change the world!”
PART 2:
5. Our Synagogue is involved with local conservation work.
Carbon Storage and Conservation with JTree