Temple Tifereth Israel, in Cleveland and in Beachwood, is working towards more sustainable practices within their religious community.

Mission

Increase visibility of environmentally responsible practices throughout the congregation. Congregants see important recycling measures the moment they walk into the building, hang up their coat in the coatroom, and sit in classrooms.

Religious Leaders

Rabbi Richard A. Block
Rabbi Rosette Barron Haim
Rabbi Roger C. Klein
Cantor Kathryn Wolfe Sebo

Educational Staff
Cheri Ellowitz Director of Education
Rabbi Arianna Gordon Temple Religious School Director
Rabbi Stacy Schlein Shabbaton Director
Lori Kowit Director of Ganon Gil Preschool

Educational Groups

The Summer 2009 theme of the preschool camp is Go Green at Ganon Gil.

Events

• The Temple participated in Go Green in February, an environmental advocacy program amongst Cleveland’s Jewish organizations spearheaded by the American Jewish Community.

The theme of their annual arts festival, Festaviv, in 2009 is sustainability and the environment.

Green Building

• They have replaced light bulbs with more energy-efficient CFLs.
• They turn off lights, heat and air conditioning in all rooms not being utilized.

Transportation

• The Temple Branch in Beachwood is located near an excellent bike path and park system.
• They have installed a bicycle rack located near The Temple’s front entrance, and designated two prime parking spaces for hybrid cars.

Waste Reduction

• Recycling office paper through the Abitibi Paper Retriever program in the parking lot that is available for community use.
• Recycling containers placed outside the building, in each classroom, under each staff person’s desks and at strategic locations in halls and rooms.
• Recycling cans through the Aluminum Cans for Burned Children program run by the Northeast Ohio Firefighters Association.
• Offering The Temple Times newsletter electronically – instead of sending via U.S. mail – to interested congregants.
• Installed hand dryers in the main restrooms to decrease waste from paper towels.

Purchasing

They use biodegradable cleaning supplies.

Green Committees

Staff Conservation Committee looks at energy, cost cutting and alternative green initiatives. Paper-less committee implemented to decrease the amount of paper used by the institution by 50% during the coming year.

Larger Initiatives

• They welcome support and guidance through participation in larger initiatives.
• They received a grant to institutionalize their environmental initiatives.
• Their ultimate goal is to embed sustainable practices into the institution.
• They are members of the Energy Task Force of the American Jewish Committee.

Contact: Rabbi Stacy Schlein