Green Team

On Tu Bishvat, the director of Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light delivered an eloquent guest sermon at TRS about the historical significance of the predictable cycles of the seasons that are celebrated on this agricultural holiday.  Tu Bishvat reminds us to show restraint in our harvesting of the natural resources of the earth.  Read the sermon here and learn more about GWIPL at http://gwipl.org/

REFORM JUDAISM, YOU, AND CLIMATE CHANGE

The Union for Reform Judaism, in its General Assembly recently, adopted a strong resolution on climate change and clean energy alternatives, calling for social action by congregations and members on these issues.  The URJ traced our sacred Jewish tradition for environmental stewardship and recognized “the unprecedented challenge of climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions.”  The Assembly resolved that the Reform Movement support domestic climate and energy policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote “clean, safe, renewable sources of energy.” The URJ specifically urged a call to action by congregations to raise awareness in the community of climate issues and to “take action toward integrating an ethic of environmental stewardship into every aspect of Jewish life.

BE A MEMBER OF OUR COOL CONGREGATION !!
SAVE ENERGY, SAVE MONEY, SAVE THE EARTH

Your TRS Green Team is sponsoring a “Cool Congregations” green challenge to families in the TRS community – an opportunity to reduce your carbon footprint, be part of the “coolcongregation” of TRS, and save money. The TRS “Green Team” is a Temple committee seeking to incorporate and apply Jewish values and teachings in the pursuit of environmental protection and climate change goals.

We are looking for families willing to track and record their household energy usage, and who will pledge to reduce their energy consumption (and corresponding CO2 emissions) by 2% a year. We will provide the record sheets, the necessary information (how to compute CO2 emissions), energy-saving tips, ideas, and background assistance and support. You provide the commitment!

This is a pilot program for TRS, and is being offered in coordination with the “Cool Neighborhoods” program in Fairfax County (a spin-off from the “Cool Counties” initiative). We believe that this will be a fun project for the family, a valuable learning experience for all, a way to save money as well as energy, and a way to be part of a committed community promoting the value of Tikkun Olam - to heal the earth.

INTERESTED? Get info and sign up with TRS Green Team co-chairs Geri Maskell  at 703/ 280-2208 or ghmjhm@cox.net  or Karen Menichelli at 703/ 532-2516 or karenm@menidavis.com

Download your tracking worksheet here!

Cool Congregations Household CO2 Emissions Record

TRS GREEN TEAM CHARTER

 The TRS Green Team committee was formed in 2007 amid growing congregational interest in addressing environmental issues, and in response to Rabbi Schwartzman’s specific urging for TRS membership involvement in activities having a positive impact on energy consumption, protecting the environment, and addressing the human impact on global climate change.

Goals.  The Green Team seeks to incorporate and apply Jewish values and teachings in the pursuit of environmental protection and climate change goals. The committee believes that caring for the planet, and repairing the harm done by the overuse of resources, are essential components of Tikkun Olam. The Green Team respects our responsibility as Jews to hand down from generation to generation (l’dor v’dor) not only our values and tradition, but also to hand to future generations a healthy and sustainable world. The committee recognizes that changes in the use and distribution of scarce energy resources may disproportionately affect the most economically vulnerable in our society, and we therefore seek, within the broader tradition of Jewish social justice, to balance the pursuit of environmental policies with actions which mitigate any such adverse impact.

Organization and Activities.  As originally envisioned by Rabbi Schwartzman and those participating in the early organizational stages, the general areas of activities and interests addressed by the Green Team and its members include: 

            1.  The synagogue building and physical plant.  Green Team members, with the assistance, guidance, and cooperation of the Temple Administrator, are involved in assessing energy usage, energy efficiency, and resource consumption in the TRS building with the goal of reducing consumption and thus our “carbon footprint.”

            2.  Education and outreach.  The Green Team sponsors congregational-wide educational and informational activities, including lectures, forums, and films about the environment and climate, energy usage, the possibility of alternative energy sources for businesses or homes, and providing suggestions for reducing personal energy consumption in the home or office. Members also interface with the religious school to promote educational programs about the environment as part of the curriculum.

            3.  Community action and advocacy.  The Green Team members, in cooperation with other faith-based organizations, local inter-faith groups, and local non-profit climate and environmental organizations, seek to have a positive impact on the community by advancing public policies and programs which promote renewable and clean energy alternatives, reverse environmental degradation, and address the human impact on global warming.

Operation.  The Green Team operates as an ad-hoc committee under the general umbrella of the Social Action Committee. Our clergy liaison has been Rabbi Saxe. Green Team membership and meetings are open to all congregants, and broad participation is sought. Minutes of Green Team meetings are available by e-mail to any interested congregant who requests them.  Decisions on actions, programs, and activities that the Green Team will pursue are based on the consensus of  Green Team members, with active consultation and advice sought from TRS clergy and staff.