By Michael S. Simon for the BIC Green Team Task Force
Beth Israel Congregation (BIC) is a proud member of Adamah’s Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition. In 2022, twenty major Jewish organizations signed up to launch the Coalition, demonstrating a consensus that the Jewish community is ready and capable of taking collective climate action. The umbrella organizations included synagogues, day schools, JCCs, Hillels, Federations, camps, and other agencies, representing a broad spectrum of community support. The Coalition is now a network of 400 Jewish non-profit organizations, committed to converting words into action.
Through the affiliation, BIC has access to the collective experience of Jewish climate activists. Membership is FREE, and participation on an administrative level is relatively simple. Each organization designates 1-2 staff liaisons to lead their climate action work and completes an annual organizational Climate Action Plan (CAP). CAPs detail climate actions taken to date and set goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the coming year. Adamah has made the process simple with a specialized, user-friendly web form that provides a menu of actions to take. There are no minimum requirements or penalties for falling short on goals.
For member organizations, Adamah provides accountability and resources to support meaningful climate action. Members can apply for interest-free loans of up to $100,000 and matching grants of up to $10,000 for projects that source clean electricity, increase electrification, or enhance energy efficiency. Past examples of Adamah-supported projects at BIC include: 2022 ASHRAE Level II energy audit; New fencing for a Faith and Food community garden; 3. Motion sensors for restroom lights and fan operation, and a Pilot placement of LED bulbs and fixtures in the office hallway. In 2023, a matching grant of $10,000 funded the replacement of every incandescent bulb in both buildings with LED lighting. This involved the replacement of 415 luminaires, including 338 in the main building and 77 in the school annex. This installation comes with a predicted annual saving of $7,826.95 in electric costs, and a payback period of 3.6 years.
The BIC Green Team Task Force is thankful for the support of the congregational leadership, including Rabbi Nadav Caine, Jerry Sorokin, the board, and members. Plans are underway to continue the work to provide a safe and sustainable life for future generations.
About the Ann Arbor Jewish Climate Circle (A2J CC)
Most Jews in the Ann Arbor area believe that climate change is an important issue—perhaps the most significant challenge of our generation. Most of us also understand that Jewish tradition calls us to improve the world for future generations.
The A2J Climate Circle is designed to bring our community together in climate action and create momentum and support.
Started by the JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Committee) of the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor, with Annie Wolock (Federation) as the leader, the A2J Climate Circle Planning Committee currently includes Ellen Abramson (Jewish Family Services), Rena Basch (Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation), Mike Shriberg (Temple Beth Emeth), and Michael Simon (Beth Israel Congregation). The Planning Committee contacted local Jewish organizations to partner with A2J CC on this initiative.
All area Jewish organizations and groups, large and small, are encouraged to join us.