Tikvat Israel

Tikvat Israel started their environmental program in September 2006 based as much on economic incentives as the desire to protect creation from the global climate crisis. The projected costs of utilities were $67,000 in 2007. The synagogue was using about the same amount of energy as 36 households, or 10% of their membership. Under the leadership of Rabbi Howard Gorin and the environmental committee, they set out to reduce the synagogue's carbon footprint and cut costs. The savings went toward financing other worthwhile programs conducted by the synagogue.

The first step was to examine the building usage, energy use and systems. Jewish scholars teach the concept of bal tashchit, or that it is a sin to waste anything including energy. By exploring the congregation’s energy use, the environmental committee was helping to implement this important teaching. After doing research, the team found that 10 of their 14 heating and cooling zones could be controlled by programmable thermostats, which would allow for each space to only be heated or cooled when occupied. These thermostats only cost $40.00 each and were installed at no cost by a member of the synagogue.

With the installation of programmable thermostats, the synagogue was able to drop the temperature to 55 degrees at night and still have the rooms be a comfortable 72 degrees when the nursery school children arrive at 7AM. This one change is expected to save 10% in electricity use and 15% in natural gas use, for a total annual savings of $7,800 and reduction of 43 tons of CO2 emissions. Additionally, 10 new LED exit signs, a donation from Montgomery County, were installed, with estimated savings of 84,131 pounds of CO2 over the life time of the signs. Finally, the board approved the purchase of $1,800 of clean energy.

This is only the beginning of Tikvat Israel’s environmental efforts. New lighting in the sanctuary will be 2/3 more efficient than the current system, and trees and bushes will be planted to reduce gasoline usage from mowing.

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