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 ‘Environmentalism’ 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, [...]
The Sunshine of Your Love…
Posted in Environmentalism, Judaism, Pesach on April 8, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Celebrated a sublime Birkat Hachamah this morning at JRC. Began with meditation as the sun rose through the east window-wall of our sanctuary, then followed with yoga sun salutations – both led with profound depth of spirit by congregational member Carole Caplan. After this powerful prelude we participated in the Birkat Hachamah service itself (above).
As [...]
Here Comes the Sun…
Posted in Environmentalism, Judaism, Religion on March 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
A little-known Jewish ritual is about to make a grand entrance: Birkat Hachama (”Blessing of the Sun”) – which is observed only once every 28 years – will come around on Wednesday, April 8.
Didn’t know about this one? Well get ready because the Jewish world is starting to get sun stroke. (Here at JRC we’re [...]
Exxon Valdez: A Dubious Anniversary
Posted in Current Events, Environmentalism, Global Activism, Water on March 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Hard to believe, but Tuesday, March 24 will mark the 20th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska. On that infamous day nearly 11 million gallons of crude oil was spilled into this exquisite sea habitat, covering 11,000 square miles of ocean. Hundreds of thousands of [...]
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 [...]
The Season of our Sustenance: A Sermon for Erev Rosh Hashanah
Posted in Environmentalism, Fair Trade, Global Activism, Green Buildings, HIV/AIDS, High Holidays, Hunger, International Aid, Judaism, Poverty, Religion, Sermons, Spirituality, Tzedakah on October 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
As I sat down to write my sermons this New Year, I somehow found myself returning to the theme of “sustainability.” Click below for my remarks on Erev Rosh Hashanah:
