THE PATH FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION THROUGH "GREEN EMANU-EL"

Members of the Temple community have been actively developing new programs that celebrate our environment and promote conservation. The roots of Jewish environmental principles are based on our traditional laws and ethics, which encourage the awareness that we are all stewards who must prevent the destruction or impairment of our precious natural resources. Our "Green Emanu- El" is a creative program designed to meet the goals of conservation through education and outreach, and individual action.

The first effort of the Green Emanu-El program was to complete an inventory of energy usage and resource conservation on the Temple grounds. This was accomplished with the support of the Temple board and staff, and the cooperation of the City of San Francisco Environmental Department. Steps have been taken to use our resources more efficiently and, as a result, with economic benefits. As pollution prevention programs are introduced, the Temple community will also become aware, through signage and other promotions, of ways that each Temple member and consumer can enjoy these same advantages in their home environment.

These efforts are just beginning. The innovative Environment Committee, in coordination with our rabbinic staff, will introduce conservation programs related to our traditional observances throughout the year and provide the means for easy implementation outside of the Temple grounds. In the Spring of 2006, in conjunction with Earth Day, the Environmental Committee coordinated an "Eco-Shabbat" celebration, which culminated in a two-day collection of computers and oher goods that were recycled in collaboration with Goodwill Industries. A bicycle rack has been installed to facilitate transportation by those members who want to avoid contributing to internal combustion pollution on their way to the Temple grounds. Zoned heating within our building and planned improvements to our lighting and water usage are under study. And a programmed outreach campaign to introduce easy conservation tools for savings in the home is under development.

As "Green Emanu-El" materials become available, please take a moment to consider how you can conserve natural resources as a home consumer. And if environmental protection is of interest, you are welcome to contact the Temple Office and join the "Green Emanu-El" effort of the Temple Environment Committee.