To Till and to Tend

Top of the Crop

As we spoke about last week, Election Day is this Tuesday, November 2^nd and your vote really does make a difference – even more so in these mid-term elections. I know – you may be feeling frustrated by the current state of affairs in our government.  Your expectations of progress have been dashed. You’re tired of partisanship inhibiting action. The economy around you is struggling, jobs are few and far between, and corporate money has even more power than before to steer government. But just remember this….one thing is still more powerful than all those things combined – people, and specifically people who vote! We, as citizens of this country, have the privilege to speak our voice and decide how we want our government to be run. Not all countries – yes, even today – allow their citizens the ability to vote. So everyone able to vote needs to make their voice heard.

This year many important elections are extremely close between candidates who support progressive environmental efforts and those who oppose them. As we have seen in other races in recent years, every vote counts. Just ask Senator Al Franken of Minnesota. He won his seat by only 225 votes! COEJL seeks to move the Jewish community forward on matters of energy efficiency, security, independence, and sustainability through our Jewish Energy Covenant Campaign. And having  representatives on our side who support effective environmental and energy policy is imperative for us to succeed. So go vote on Tuesday, and please consider the environment and energy first when casting your ballot for any candidate from any party. Ask yourself the question – even in the voting booth, “Will this candidate help the environmental cause, push for a new energy efficient economy and jobs, and consider the planet ahead of profits for the future generations?” If so, vote for them wholeheartedly. But if the answer is no, steer clear, stay far away, and choose one who will fit the profile better. As Jews, we understand the importance of speaking up and being heard – for silence leads to apathy, and apathy leads to disaster. As I said last week, “Jewish Energy moves me to think this way for my children. Let us all be moved to do the same for the future generations.”

By: COEJL Program Director, David L. Marks

Word on the Hill

Vote Green Next Week. As Election Day approaches, you may want to know your candidate’s position on energy and climate. Check here to see whether they are endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters. Also check out JCPA’s “Jewish Values in Action” – 2010 Election Resource Guide and the RAC’s “Get Out The Vote 2010 Guide” to view a Jewish perspective on voting. The stakes are higher than ever as things continue heating up. Zambia just became the 18^th country to set a new extreme heat record this year. Plus, a new study based on current projections of greenhouse gas emissions estimates that across the globe droughts will increase in 30 years and that by the end of the century they will reach a scale rarely, if ever, observed.

The US is First to Build World’s Largest Solar Farm. The Department of the Interior gave final approval to a proposed 1 gigawatt solar project planned for Blythe, California on October 25^th, 2010 making the US the first nation to build a solar farm of this size and capacity. Though South Africa may soon develop an even larger solar farm, the US is helping to lead globally in the expansion of renewable solar resources. The 7,000 acre project backed by German solar firm Solar Millennium, is expected to ultimately provide energy for up to 750,000 homes. US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar hailed the project as a “major milestone” in the development of America’s renewable energy economy, adding that it provided further evidence that the US government will support the emerging low-carbon sector. COEJL supports joint industry and governmental coordinated efforts to push forward with renewable energy and sustainable projects and continues to advocate for policy to further these measures on a broader national and international scale. (Businessgreen.com)

Community News and Views

Sisterhood B’nai Jacob Oneg with Presenter Sybil Sanchez on Nov, 5th. COEJL Director, Sybil Sanchez will be presenting at B’nai Jacob synagogue located at Starr and Manavon Streets in Phoenixville, PA, 19460, on Friday, November 5th, 2010  at 7:30PM. She will be speaking on the topic of Jewish environmentalism today, mobilizing the Jewish community to be more energy aware and green in everyday life, and answering the question, “Why is Judaism inherently a ‘green’ religion?“

Lunch and Learn with guest speaker COEJL Director, Sybil Sanchez on Nov, 6th. COEJL Director, Sybil Sanchez, will be presenting at Beth Sholom Congregation located at 8231 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 Shabbat morning, November 6^th, at 12:15 PM. She will be speaking on the topic of Jewish environmentalism today, mobilizing the Jewish community to be more energy aware and green in everyday life, and answering the question, “Why is Judaism inherently a ‘green’ religion?” Sponsored by the Social Action/Mitzvot B’Yahad Committee.

COEJL Can Help You with Your Earth Day Greening Events. Next year, Earth Day falls close to Passover, offering the possibility of linking it with themes of cleansing, renewal, and freedom. On Wednesday, October 27, 2010, 9:00 a.m. a panel of experts, including COEJL representatives, spoke at the UJA-Federation of New York providing tips on how to engage parents, kids, employees, and neighbors in education, advocacy, and hands-on projects. COEJL is available to assist communities and organizations in planning for program activities and events around Earth Day. Contact COEJL Program Director David L. Marks at: dmarks@coejl.org or 212-532-7436 to learn more.

After the Spill: Interfaith Community Launches Long-Term Gulf Restoration Project. The six-month anniversary of the BP oil disaster passed last week and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism launched After the Spill: Religious Communities Restoring the Gulf, an online project of faith communities in the Gulf and across North America committed to long-term Gulf restoration following the BP oil spill disaster. Director of the Religious Action Center Rabbi David Saperstein said, “Five years after Hurricane Katrina and six months after the Deepwater Horizon explosion, people of faith remain committed to restoring the Gulf Coast.” After the Spill is sponsored by the Religious Action Center, COEJL, and over 15 other Jewish and Christian partner groups. Go to Afterthespill.com and check out this recent Huffington Post article by RAC Sustainability Program Coordinator Rachel Cohen for more information.

Jewish National Fund and Greenfaith present: Judaism and the Environment Webinar Series starting Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010. Judaism and the Environment is a unique series of webinars designed to educate and equip Jewish leaders for environmental action.  Join JNF for a unique and practical educational experience that will strengthen the Jewish community’s environmental leadership, help synagogues attract new, younger members, and reduce synagogue and other community institutions’ operating expenses. Registration is available at http://www.jnf.org/greenfaith.  For more information, contact JNF at: education@jnf.org or 212-879-9305 x-263.

Top of the Crop

As an open minded person, there are many things that have the ability to change my thought process and make me think differently than I had before. Sometimes it is listening to a thought-provoking sermon by a rabbinic leader such as Rabbi Saul Berman (Listen to our webinar from October 7th) or a mind-blowing speech from an industry thought leader such as best-selling author Seth Godin. And sometimes it is simply a powerful photo on the cover of The New York Times that somehow reaches me inside and creates a big “ahah” epiphany moment.

But very often what gets me really moving is witnessing the energy of inspired people who are taking action on a cause and working together to get something done. I have always been cause-oriented. Most often, my cause has been the protection of our environment. But no matter what the cause, whether it is fighting against the ‘Dirty Energy’ Proposition 23 in California, or saving energy and money through the Jewish Greening Fellowships and the UJA, or seeing Jews working together on Fighting Poverty with Faith, we as a people can and do make a big impact for the betterment of this world.

That is why COEJL is working to build Jewish Energy. To push for environmental and energy related policy, and coordinate the broader Jewish community to protect Creation for the generations. So here’s what I ask of you. Take a look at what Jewish Energy action is happening below in this week’s COEJL blog. Tell your friends and family about COEJL and what we’re up to. And on election day this November 2nd, please consider the environment first when casting your ballot for any candidate. Jewish Energy moves me to think this way for my children. Let us all be moved to do the same for the future generations.

– David L. Marks, COEJL Program Director

Jewish Groups Oppose Ban on Greenhouse Gas Regulations in California. JCPA, COEJL and 53 other Jewish organizations and individuals issued a public statement against proposed legislation in California that would freeze the state’s landmark clean air legislation until the state’s unemployment rate drops below five percent. Initiated by the Northern California, Los Angeles and Orange County chapters of the American Jewish Committee, the letter went to Jewish and secular press, and federations and synagogues in California. It states, “As Jews who care deeply about California’s future, we urge you to join us in voting ‘No’ on Proposition 23: the ‘Dirty Energy’ Proposition. Your support will ensure: California continues to lead the clean energy economy of the future; we decrease our dependence on foreign oil; we promote both the US’ and Israel’s economic and national security; and we actualize the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world).” Working toward similar goals at the national level, the JCPA’s Energy and the Environment Committee is considering questions about Open Fuel Standard legislation and is investigating environmental, social, and economic factors related to different biofuel sources.

Community News and Views

Jewish Greening Fellows – Saving Energy, Money and Energizing their Communities. The Jewish Greening Fellowships – a project of the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center and funded by UJA-Federation of New York – just graduated its first class of fellows from 19 different agencies in the New York Metropolitan area. Through their 18-month program, fellows created programs within their agencies, helped communities save energy and money, and collectively raised more than $850,000 in new funding for their organizations to conduct energy audits, energy-efficiency measures, and other projects. Rachel Jacoby Rosenfield, a new member of COEJL’s Governance Committee, is the fellowship director. Read more about it.

After the Spill: Interfaith Community Launches Long-Term Gulf Restoration Project As the six-month anniversary of the BP oil disaster approaches, the Religious Action Center is launching After the Spill: Religious Communities Restoring the Gulf, a project of faith communities in the Gulf and across North America committed to long-term Gulf restoration following the BP oil spill disaster. Quoting Rabbi Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center, “Five years after Hurricane Katrina and six months after the Deepwater Horizon explosion, people of faith remain committed to restoring the Gulf Coast.” After the Spill is sponsored by the Religious Action Center, COEJL, and over 15 other Jewish and Christian partner groups. Learn more here: Afterthespill.com. Check out the recent Huffington Post article.

Earth Day Greening Seminar: Wednesday, October 27, 2010, 9:00 a.m. This year Earth Day falls close to Passover, offering the possibility of linking it with themes of cleansing, renewal, and freedom. Join a panel of experts and resources, including COEJL representatives, at the UJA-Federation of New York and get tips on how to engage parents, kids, employees, and neighbors in education, advocacy, and hands-on projects. Learn more and register here.

Top of the Crop

What is Jewish Energy? Jewish Energy is YOU. You believe in the strength of the Jewish community. You believe Jews have survived tragic trials and tribulations for more than 5771 years because we, as a people, have fought for survival through education, creativity and determination. Jewish Energy is just that – people like you and me working together to ensure our community, our planet and our children survive and flourish in a healthy environment. Now is perhaps the most important time we need to gather our Jewish Energy to protect not only ourselves, but all of humanity and Creation. We need to stand up and shout out to our political leaders and to the world that now is the time to fight for our environment, for our economy, for the well-being of Israel, and for our future generations! Come this November 2nd, we need to vote for congressional leaders who are committed to taking aggressive steps on renewable energy policy, climate change and adaptation, and environmental issues now, and vote out those who oppose or delay such important measures. We too need to take our own aggressive steps in our homes, offices, and synagogues to save energy, seek a new stronger sustainable and energy efficient economy, and push congress to pass legislation to mandate it. I don’t know about you, but I am tired of hearing from naysayers (mostly fellow Americans) that climate change is not happening. Ask the thousands of Pakistani flood victims and the Russian fire casualties how they feel about it. Do we really need to wait until Manhattan is underwater, the polar ice caps are gone, and another Katrina hits the Gulf coast to do something about it? Next time you hear someone speak in disbelief of our environmental and climate crises, speak out and tell them to call mayor Mike Bloomberg in NYC and ask him why he is investing millions every year on environmental and energy measures for Gotham City.

COEJL is focused on working with a strong network of Jewish environmental organizations to get the word out on Jewish religious and practical environmental resources as well as pushing for strong environmental and energy policy. Jewish Energy Will Succeed (note the acronym) if we are all a part of it. Last week COEJL hosted a webinar on the story of Noah and how it relates to climate change with Rabbi Saul Berman, Dina Kruger of the EPA, and scientist Ken Mankoff. (Webinar) This is but one of the first seeds we have planted in growing Jewish Energy. Stay tuned for more in the coming weeks and days and tell your friends that COEJL is alive and well and more energized than ever. And take the pledge that says you will do something about Jewish Energy today at www.coejl.org/covenant.

– David L. Marks, COEJL Program Director

Word on the Hill

The White House Goes Solar. In a blog posting last week, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced that “by the end of this spring, there will be solar panels and a solar hot water heater on the roof of the White House.” The project, which is meant to demonstrate the reliability and usefulness of American solar technology, is not the first such Presidential endeavor. In fact, solar panels have a bi-partisan history for alongside President Jimmy Carter’s initiative, President George W. Bush “Put Solar Panels on the White House Too.”

Climate Talks in China: After Copenhagen – Before Cancun. While last year’s Copenhagen climate talks blazed across the international scene seeming only to fade like a shooting star, detailed political talks have in fact continued. Over 200 countries met last week in China to discuss the renewal of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change and what commitments they are willing to consider adopting at the next major conference which will be held in November in Cancun, Mexico. The world’s two largest emitters of greenhouse gases, China and the U.S., represent opposite ends of the tension between rich and poor countries over transparency and rate of development.  Of particular focus is what conditions are necessary for developed countries to commit $100 billion to a fund suggested by the U.S. that would help developing countries adapt to the effects of global climate change. Fundamentally at stake is the willingness of states like the U.S. and China to commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. has never recognized the Kyoto Protocol and has yet to adopt comprehensive policy on energy and climate change. The verdict on where last week’s talks will lead is still out. (BBC News)

Community News and Views

Shabbat Noach/350.org Weekend a Success! Jewish communities around the country participated in the over 7,000 international global day of action activities on climate change by observing Shabbat Noach with an environmental theme. COEJL participated in several events, which you can read about on our resource page. Here is a recent blog posting about the weekend on the website of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.

Webinar on “The Story of Noah and its Relationship to Climate Change” On Thursday, October 7th, COEJL hosted an informative webinar on the Torah portion of Noah and its relationship to climate change. Speakers for the webinar were: Rabbi Saul J. Berman, Stern College Professor and Orthodox rabbi; Dina Kruger, Director of EPA’s Climate Change Division; and Ken Mankoff, scientist and public speaker formerly of Columbia University NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, and the Colorado Boulder Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics. View and listen to the webinar any time.

Teva Learning Center is Creating a New Team of 5 People for the Next Topsy Turvy Bus Tour. Teva’s new learning tour is planned for the Spring of 2011. They’re going to Georgia, Florida, and other places in the Southeast. The team will be building, celebrating, and strengthening Jewish community through learning and action around Jewish values and renewable energy topics. Go to the Teva Learning Center website for more information or if you’re interested in being part of the team, please email a one-page (max) letter of interest to jonathan@tevacenter.org.

In your letter, please address the following:
a. What skills you have to offer.
b. Why you’re inspired and excited about this bus tour.
c. What teaching and other relevant experience you have.

Important Dates:
Interviews – November 2010
Training – December 2010
Bus Tour – February – April 2011