Reduce Your Energy Consumption with GreenFinanceSF!
If you've wanted to do energy upgrades but don't want to deal with the upfront cost, check out this new program through the City!
Once you do an audit and pay an application fee, the City will finance your upgrades and place the repayment schedule on your property tax for up to 20 years. The interest is tax deductible and the loan stays with the house (plus the savings from efficiency upgrades or solar installation will more than offset the cost of the upgrades over the life of the loan).
If you move, you are not responsible for repayment (however this only means that
permanent upgrades can be funded). See below for more info or contact Sandy Rechtschaffen at srechtschaffen@emanuelsf.org for more information.
Links:
https://greenfinancesf.org/systems/energy
https://greenfinancesf.org/systems/energy/content/san_francisco_program_faq
Year in Review: Emanu-El’s Environment Committee
Over the past several years, Emanu-El’s environmental committee has worked hard to advance our ongoing efforts of tikkun olam or ‘repairing the world’ while saving money during these challenging economic times. Below is a summary of our recent accomplishments.
Greening Our Temple Operations
The Temple implemented our long awaited zero-waste campaign in partnership with the SF Department of Environment. This included adding new bins and signage, eliminating individual water bottles at events, and offering online versions of the Temple Chronicle. We also completed our energy and water audits showing that Emanu-El could save over $6000 per year by upgrading our lighting and water fixtures. Emanu-El added a ‘green’ caterer to the approved list of event caterers and incorporated our “Greening Your Simcha” brochure in every event package to make it easier for all congregants to green their events. Finally, Emanu-El was awarded the “Green Oscar” from California Interfaith Power and Light for our efforts.
Education and Outreach
The Committee has worked closely with our Temple educators to promote zero-waste awareness and ensure the deployment of the zero-waste campaign is as effective as possible. Mitzvah Corps members helped deploy the new bins and signage and also staffed events to help congregants learn where to throw their waste. Teachers incorporate environmental stewardship into their lessons and are participating in an education program with Canfei Nesharim, an education and action organization, which is dedicated to learning and acting on Jewish tradition to protect the environment.
Sustainable Agriculture and Gardening
The Committee continued to support the harvesting work at our sustainable Pe’ah Garden, for donations to the SF Food Bank. Green Emanu-El participated at the Hazon National Food Conference, where representatives designed how to weave commitments to sustainability into the fabric of Jewish life.
Moving Forward Into 2010
Green Emanu-El appreciates the productive leadership of co-chairs, Lara Ettenson and Charlene Schachter, who have completed their terms. The Committee welcomes all interested Temple congregants who would like to join this vibrant group. Plans for this year include enhancing the zero-waste campaign and our educational programming, completing energy and water upgrades to our facility, and becoming the first house of worship acknowledged by the City of San Francisco as Green Business Certified. If interested in participating, please contact Sandy Rechtschaffen at sandyr@emanuelsf.org.
Emanu-El Wins Green Oscar!
The 3rd Annual Energy Oscars were held Tuesday, November 10 at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. The event recognized the work of California Interfaith Power and Light’s member congregations and, in particular, outstanding finalists in the areas of Education, Green Building, Energy Efficiency and Advocacy. Rev. Canon Sally Bingham, Founder and President of CIPL, and Susan Stephenson, Executive Director, announced the winners.
Congregation Emanu-El was recognized for its “Green Emanu-El” initiative, a program to promote sustainable Temple operations including recycling, composting, and energy efficient lighting efforts. “Minimizing our ecological footprint not only fulfills the Jewish imperative of tikkun olam (to repair the world), but it also makes sense to minimize the impact on the resources we depend on, save money, and build community,” said Lara Ettenson, a coordinator of “Green Emanu-El.”
Read the entire article here! or Find out more about Green Emanu-El .
CHECK OUT EMANU-EL'S NEW ZERO-WASTE CAMPAIGN!
Over the past two years, volunteers from Temple Emanu-El’s environment committee developed a zero-waste campaign strategy to reduce the waste impact of Emanu-El’s numerous events, educate staff and congregants, and save the Temple money. A zero waste program diverts waste from the landfill by sending all appropriate items to the recycling or composting facility.
Thanks to a partnership with the San Francisco Department of the Environment, Emanu-El launched the zero-waste campaign at the beginning of September with a target to divert 100% of our waste. By strategically deploying new and improved bins and signage around the Temple to facilitate recycling and composting, we now divert tons of waste per year from being dumped in the landfill, while saving the Temple nearly $1000 each month.
Our goal is to not only to reduce waste going to the landfill from our synagogue, but also to help each member implement these practices at home. The youth education and Mitzvah Corps programs have incorporated the zero-waste campaign goals into their teachings of stewardship and responsibility to “Repair the World,” while the Temple’s nursery school teaches composting and recycling to our youngest environmental advocates. Over the coming month, Emanu-El will launch the education portion of the campaign, which will include materials and events to help congregants learn how to easily compost and recycle at Temple as well as at home.
Many thanks and kudos to Sandy Rechtschaffen, Suzanne Bryan (SF Department of the Environment), and Lara Ettenson and Charlene Schachter (co-chairs of the environment committee) for an epic effort!
Please visit the San Francisco Department of the Environment website for more information (http://www.sfenvironment.org/our_programs/overview.html?ssi=3)
or email Sandy Rechtschaffen with any questions, comments, or suggestions (srechtschaffen@emanuelsf.org).
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our new three bin system: it’s as easy as blue, green, and black!
Blue bins – recycling
YES: glass, cans, paper, cardboard, foil, ALL hard plastics -including coffee cup lids, plastic utensils, cups, straws, milk jugs, plastic takeout containers, plastic flower pots, and plastic toys (non-electronic).
NO: hangers (back to the cleaner with those), milk or OJ containers (they can go in compost!), plastic bags (drop off at Trader Joe’s), film plastics-including saranwrap, chip, and pre-pack veggie bags-, twisty ties, rubber bands or multi-material packaging – such as juice boxes or soup mixes, or polystyrene (Styrofoam).
Green bins – compost/bio-waste
YES: Anything once living: garden cuttings, sawdust, food scraps (including meat and bones), shells, coffee grounds/filters, teabags, chopsticks, food-soiled paper -paper napkins/towels, takeout boxes, plates and cups-, any compostable plastics, waxed paper, milk and OJ cartons (without the plastic spigot), and used pizza/pastry boxes.
NO: plastic bags, diapers, human or animal waste, rocks, recyclables, or trash.
Black bins – landfill
YES: soft plastic (plastic wrap or packaging), diapers, wipes, chip bags, cliff bar wrappers, items with dual packaging (individual juice boxes).
Common and Toxic Waste Products
CFL’s (return to local hardware store), batteries (seal in clear plastic bag and place on lid of black bin on collection day).
For more information on zero waste, to volunteer with SF Environment, find out where to dispose of everything from old paint to fabric scraps on the ecofinderrr, or download compost and recycling instructional flyers, go to: sfenvironment.org
WATER BOTTLE DILEMMA! URGENT!
For more information please click here (PowerPoint presentation)
GREEN YOUR CELEBRATION!
Greening your Simcha at Temple Emanu-El
There are many ways to reduce the environmental impact and
carbon footprint of your celebration at Temple Emanu-El.
This brochure provides suggestions for making your event
kind to the planet while creating a festive and meaningful celebration.
Make a lasting impression on your guests...
not on the earth!
Click to download the New Green Celebration Brochure!
B'RIT ADAMAH - A COVENANT WITH THE EARTH
Steps You Can Take (click to download pdf)
With thanks to Rabbi Micah Citrin of Congregation Beth Am for sharing these easy measures we can all take.!
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Temple Emanu-El Environment Committee is to fulfill the Jewish imperative of tikkun olam (repairing the world) by encouraging environmental stewardship within the congregation and promoting environmental awareness among the greater Emanu-El community.
The Environment Committee accomplishes this mission by working with the Temple to reduce its impact on the environment, provide outreach and education to the congregation, collaborate with the youth education department, and support sustainable agriculture and gardening.Ê
The Environment Committee focuses on three areas:
- Greening Emanu-El: Evaluate Temple operations and identify opportunities to reduce the Temple's footprint on the environment. This includes pursuing our green business certification, increasing our compost and recycling program, and working towards sustainable events.
- Education and Outreach: Educate congregants about opportunities to reduce their individual impact on the environment and about the strong ties between Judaism and our responsibility to safeguard the environment. This includes tips for congregants, articles in the newsletter, and outreach during Temple events.
- Sustainable Food and Gardening: Provide opportunities to purchase sustainable food, offer tips on minimizing impact on the environment through the food choices we make, and create opportunities for congregants and students to engage in gardening activities.
To participate, contact Sandy Rechtschaffen or (415) 751-2541 x 177.
About the Temple 