The UK Jewish community has been invited to take part in two online networking evenings to examine how families and communities can begin to make changes to combat the climate emergency.
In 2021, The Board of Deputies pledged to take action to cut carbon emissions and to play its part in achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. As part of this pledge, the Board’s Climate Emergency Committee has partnered with EcoJudaism, to invite representatives of EcoSynagogue award winning communities to talk about online about practical steps they have taken to reduce carbon emissions.
On Thursday 28 September and Thursday 26 October we will hear how a number of communities have taken steps to reduce their emissions. These include Oxford Jewish Congregation, which has inspired and engaged its community to work together to reduce its carbon footprint; and Kol Chai, Hatch End Reform Community, which has installed energy saving devices in its building. Also taking part will be Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation, which has initiated recycling and local food programme and the Green Teams from Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue, New North London Synagogue, West London Synagogue, Garnethill Synagogue in Glasgow, and Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue, which have taken practical and replicable measure in their buildings and in their day-to-day activities to work towards zero carbon.
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg from EcoSynagogue’s rabbinic team will introduce the first session and remind us of the importance to us as Jews of doing this work.
At each session there will be a chance to meet other participants in breakout rooms and talk about the commitments made by different communities.
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl said: “We congratulate our award-winning synagogues for the great strides they have already made, and we encourage communities large and small to come to one or both of these evenings to consider how we can all contribute to reaching net zero by 2050”.
UK Jewish Communities – Cutting our Carbon Footprint:
two Zoom get-togethers
Thursday 28 September and Thursday 26 October 2023, 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm
Register for one or both meetings (each will consider different projects)
and/or
For further information please contact Andrea from EcoJudaism
andrea@ecojudaism.org.uk or Fiona Frank, Chair of the BoD Climate Emergency Committee fionafrank@gmail.com (07778 737681)