Southern New England Jewish LedgerTemple Beth El (TBE) in Stamford has been named a winner in the Cool Congregation Challenge, an annual contest held nationally by Interfaith Power & Light (IPL) to recognize and inspire congregational leadership in the energy and climate arena. IPL is a faith-based organization that works with congregations across the U.S. to reduce the causes of global climate change through education, advocacy and action.
The award was given to TBE in the category of Renewable Role Model for its solar panel installation last year. As the largest installation of its kind on a house of worship in the United States, the 210 kW photovoltaic solar panel system utilizes 845 (250 watt) panels on the synagogue’s 30,000 square foot, white “Energy Smart Solar Ready Roof” (with three inches of insulation). The estimated power production is 237,479 kWh per year, which will supply 70% of the synagogue’s annual electrical needs.
Challenge winners were chosen by a panel of experts from Interfaith Power & Light, EPA’s Energy Star, the National Wildlife Federation and the U.S. Green Building Council.
“We are truly honored to receive this award,” said Sylvan Pomerantz, president of TBE’s Board of Trustees. “By helping reduce pollution and improve air quality in Connecticut, we practice tikkun olam, repair of the world, which urges us to fix what is broken in society.”
If your congregation is interested in learning more about TBE’s solar panel installation, contact Steve Lander at (203) 322-6901, ext 304, or execdir@tbe.org.
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While there are certainly those who believe resources are best spent on implementing zero-emission sources of energy, I am not one of those.
It amazes me that a religious institution such as Temple Beth El would promote the very liberal, left wing doctrine of the existence of the “dire-and-disastrous-to-the-very-future-of-mankind global warming” through the installation of solar panels. Surely resources would be better used helping those in need, whether it be food, shelter, job training or even subsidizing temple fees for needy and deserving congregants.