Members of the Jewish community including rabbis, community leaders, and congregants launched the campaign and took action by installing CFL bulbs during Hanukkah, 2006 as a modern commemoration. COEJL facilitated this effort by getting bulbs to congregations and institutions through simple order forms and on-line ordering. COEJL also provided a bulb installation ceremony and bulb prayer.
“How Many Jews Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb?”
[Press Release 1] [Press Release 2] [Sample Press Release]
Here’s how you can take immediate action:
Buy CFL bulbs as an individual or as a group through your synagogue or Jewish institution. Sell them in your gift shop, at Mitzvah Day or other community events. Call bulbs.com, our bulb provider, at 888-455-2800. To receive the campaign discount tell them that you’re part of the COEJL campaign. They can also answer your lighting questions.
Click here for information on recycling CFLs.
CFL FAQ Sheet
I changed a light bulb…what are you doing to help stop global warming? postcards. Our elected officials in Washington, D.C. are debating global climate change legislation. We need to let them know that we demand strong action. COEJL has created postcards to be sent to elected officials, individually signed by you, their constituent. Click here to see an image of the postcard. If you would like to order them for your congregation or institution, contact climatechange@coejl.org.
Conservation Conversations: Invite Your Elected Official to Synagogue
Have an elected official dialogue with the congregation about their goals for a sustainable U.S. energy policy. They can join you at services, during adult education or community programs, or you can create a forum specifically for this issue. Click here for a “Conservation Conversations” advocacy starter packet. If you plan for a speaker to join you on Shabbat or for a Sunday program, make it a “Lo-Watt Shabbat” encouraging energy conservation. Click here for some ideas.
If you’d like a more informal setting for dialogue, consider creating: “CAFE Talks.” CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) refers to federal regulations intended to improve the average fuel economy of cars and light trucks (trucks, vans, and SUVs). Use this as an opportunity to talk about transportation issues (local and national), transportation policy, carpooling, idling (particularly when picking children up from Hebrew School), and health issues related to pollution (i.e., asthma and respiratory illnesses). This could also include letter writing sessions to elected officials. Be sure to serve Fair Trade organic coffee during your CAFE Talks! Use “Conservation Conversations” as an opportunity to get the dialogue going about “greening” and energy conservation in the synagogue and in congregants’ homes.
Faith based screenings of An Inconvenient Truth are continuing to take place nationwide.Click here for listings.
Take a Scientist to Synagogue to educate and motivate your community to action. Click here for a list.
If you are a rabbi, continue to speak about the campaign and to inspire your congregation about the importance of taking action to help stop global warming. Click here for sermonic and background material on climate change. [pdf]
CFL Hanukkah Installation Ceremony
Climate Change Campaign Press Clips
If you are a teacher, lay leader, or activist, educate yourself on the Jewish response to global warming. Climate change resources are available here.
