Environmental Impact

 

 

 

“Do not destroy My world, for if you do, there will be nobody after you to make it right again.” – Midrash Ecclesiastes Rabbah 7:13

 

WRT is committed to being a leader in sustainability and green practices

Our facilities: The WRT building and campus have won numerous awards for design and sustainability and is one of the first synagogues in the country to build in accordance with green standards.  In 2011, WRT was awarded a Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) certification.

Zero Waste:  To further embody the value of Tikkun Olam, WRT strives to be a zero-waste facility. We make great efforts to avoid producing any landfill waste through temple activities by using only reusable or compostable serveware, work closely with families, caterers, and vendors to use durable (or compostable) serveware, divert all food scraps into our composting program, and recycle.

Become informed and get involved:  To learn more about our building and sustainable initiatives, review our Green Facts or email us at sharon.stiefel@wrtemple.org.  We hope to partner with you in our efforts to be responsible keepers of our world.

 

Upcoming Opportunities

 

⇨ Fight Climate Change in New York

March 16 at 2 pm:  Meet with State Senator Shelley Mayer

March 17 at noon:  Meet with State Senator Andrew Stewart-Cousins

There are currently two pieces of state climate legislation pending in NY:  All-Electric Building Act (“AEBA”), which would prohibit new construction in New York from being powered by natural gas, oil, or other fossil fuels, and the NY Home Energy Affordable Transition Act (the “HEAT Act”), which would change state laws so that we no longer subsidize the expansion of natural gas pipes. To learn more about the bills visit:  All-Electric Building Act and NY Home Energy Affordable Transition Act

The Religious Action Center of New York is organizing lobby meetings with NY state senators and assembly members to gain their support for these bills to try to ensure that these two bills are included in the final budget at the beginning of April.  If you are interested in joining a lobby meeting here is your opportunity! You should sign up to attend a meeting with your representative.  You can find your assembly district and member at https://nyassembly.gov/and your New York State Senator at https://www.nysenate.gov/.

If you would like to attend a meeting, please sign up here https://urj.tfaforms.net/1029. 

 

⇨ New York Jewish Climate Action Summit

April 23, 2023, 1:00 – 4:30 pm, Temple Shaaray Tefila, 250 East 79th Street, New York, NY

Join RAC-NY, Dayenu and Friends for the New York Jewish Climate Actions Summit to gather, learn, organize, and take action to make a meaningful impact in tackling the climate crisis.

To learn more or register click here.