I’m told this one is pretty huge: JRC’s new synagogue building was recently chosen as one of the top ten green projects of 2009 by the American Institute of Architects. Here’s an excerpt from their announcement:
The new synagogue for the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation (JRC) in Evanston, Illinois, replaces the group’s original building and is located [...]
Archive for the ‘Energy Efficiency’ Category
More JRC Kudos!
Posted in Energy Efficiency, Environmentalism, Green Buildings, JRC Construction Diaries on May 6, 2009 | 1 Comment »
More Greening in the News
Posted in Energy Efficiency, Environmentalism, Fair Trade, Global Warming, Green Buildings, Religion on May 4, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Just in time for spring, some spiritual greening news for you:
The AP did up a nice piece about religious environmental efforts that featured JRC. It was picked up by a number of news outlets, inluding the Washington Post.
And check out this trailer for a documentary commissioned by Chicago magazine that spotlights six local green efforts, [...]
Green Mosque, Green Shul
Posted in Energy Efficiency, Environmentalism, Green Buildings, Islam, Judaism, Religion on March 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Here’s a nice piece that ran on Chicago’s ABC affiliate last January: a feature on JRC’s green building as well as a local mosque that incorporated energy-saving features into their recent renovation. Especially nice that they highlighted two “Abrahamic environmental efforts.” (One snarky correction: it’s Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, not Center).
JRC Dons the Green Beanie!
Posted in Energy Efficiency, Environmentalism, Judaism, Religion on February 3, 2009 | 3 Comments »
I’m proud to announce that JRC has tied for First Place in the JTA’s Green Beanie awards! (An honorable concept, though a more dignified name might be in order…)
The JTA sponsored the competition to recognize groundbreaking environmental initiatives in the Jewish community. Apparently, they received over 100 applications from Jewish organizations and institutions around the world.
Check out the piece and learn [...]
Faith in Place
Posted in Energy Efficiency, Energy Policy, Environmentalism, Global Warming, Green Buildings, Interfaith, Judaism, Religion on November 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Check out this nice video piece produced by Faith in Place – a coalition of over 400 faith communities throughout Illinois committed to the sacred practice of environmental and economic sustainability. I’m proud to say that JRC (who is featured in the clip) is a longtime member.
From the FIP website:
Our mission is [...]
The End of Empire: A Sermon for Rosh Hashanah
Posted in Elections 2008, Energy Efficiency, Energy Policy, Environmentalism, Health Care, High Holidays, Judaism, Politics, Poverty, Religion, Sermons, War on October 5, 2008 | 3 Comments »
My sermon for Rosh Hanshanah Day 5769 was something of a sequel to the one I delivered the night before. I’ve reworked it here, based on a version I gave today at Lake St. Church’s World Community Sabbath. (Those of you who read the previous sermon will notice I carried some passages over into this [...]
JRC Goes Platinum!
Posted in Energy Efficiency, Environmentalism, Green Buildings, JRC Construction Diaries on September 25, 2008 | 3 Comments »
I am thrilled to announce JRC has officially achieved a LEED level Platinum rating from the US Green Building Council (USGBC), making it the highest rated green house of worship in the world!
I’ve written about this extensively before, but just to recap: LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the point-based review process created [...]
JRC’s New Home: Summer into Fall
Posted in Energy Efficiency, Environmentalism, Green Buildings, Judaism, Religion on August 26, 2008 | 1 Comment »
It’s been quite a while since I posted a pic of JRC’s new building. We’ve been settling in for about half a year now and are thoroughly enjoying our new home. Here’s a shot of the exterior with our new front garden, filled with local, drought-resistant species planted by our devoted Garden Havurah.
Our house is quickly [...]
JRC’s Conscious Choice
Posted in Energy Efficiency, Environmentalism, Green Buildings, Judaism on June 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
JRC’s new green synagogue building was spotlighted in this nice feature from Conscious Choice Magazine last April. A few corrections though:
- We have not yet been certified by the US Green Building Council. We continue to hope for a Platinum rating and expect receive final word in a few months.
- The rubble in our gabion [...]
What’s Your Footprint?
Posted in Energy Efficiency, Energy Policy, Environmentalism, Food, Global Warming, Green Buildings on May 4, 2008 | 3 Comments »
Just finished playing an on-line quiz called “Consumer Consequences” – a test sponsored by American Public Media that helps you determine your personal environmental footprint. Based on your consumer habits in various categories (i.e. use of public transportation, energy bills, eating consumption, trash disposal) the quiz calculates how many earths it would take to sustain [...]
