Sample Projects for COEJL’s Jewish Energy Network
Take action on 14% by 2014
The Jewish Energy Network is building a team of Jewish individuals who will lead energy reduction and advocacy initiatives in synagogues and Jewish organizations throughout the country.
COEJL’s community organizing training for the Jewish Energy Network, March 13-14 in Washington, DC, will provide you with community organizing skills to initiate an energy advocacy, reduction, or education initiative within your Jewish community.
Below is a list with examples of energy initiatives that you can lead at your synagogue or Jewish organization as part of the Jewish Energy Network. The list is not all inclusive, but is intended to provide you with ideas. Many of these projects complement each other and can be implemented together.
Advocacy
- Start a Jewish energy lecture series to present current, national, or local energy issues
- Incorporate renewable energy issues into an advocacy day agenda or meetings with elected officials
- Organize an advocacy program with a letter or email writing campaign to policymakers and influencers in support of renewable energy
- Organize a trip to a local renewable power plant and speak to operators
- Incorporate energy advocacy goals into your synagogue or organization’s Tu B’shvat or Passover Seder
Energy Efficiency
- Start a green team or environment committee and begin identifying and working on energy efficiency projects
- Obtain an energy audit for your organization or synagogue and follow up with energy efficiency projects based on the results
- Facilitate a renewable energy generation project, such as installation of solar panels, at your synagogue or Jewish institution
- Start a car pool program at your synagogue or organization
- Organize a program to encourage your synagogue or organization and its membership to switch to a local clean energy provider
- Start a program for your synagogue or organization to purchase carbon offsets or Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)
Jewish Energy Education
- Start a Jewish environmental text learning group
- Provide your synagogue with Divrei Torah (sermons) on energy and the environment that push others to action
- Create an environmental section in your synagogue or organization’s newsletter or bulletin (hard copy or electronic)
- Organize a learning series on Jewish environmentalism
- Convene a Jewish eco fair with green vendors in honor of Tu B’shvat
