In order to fully enact Temple Shir Tikva’s mission “to do God’s work in the world,” our congregation is committed to act with urgency in responding to climate change. This webpage provides an overview of all the ways that our congregation is prioritizing environmental action, along with opportunities and resources for congregants interested in this work.
Here’s what you’ll find on this page:
TST Green Highlights
Opportunities to Get Involved
Resources
Our Green Commitment
TST Green Highlights
When our building’s HVAC system began to fail in 2022, our efforts to replace the aging system were guided by our Green Commitment. We were able to install an energy efficient heat pump system along with a solar energy system that cut our greenhouse gas emission by 85%. Our work greening our facilities was featured in this article in the Jewish Journey of Greater Boston. We are proud that our efforts to live our values have made us a leader among religious institutions in the region, as we make our facilities energy efficient and environmentally sustainable.
Composting at TST
Every year, the U.S. throws out nearly 60 million tons of food waste that produces greenhouse gases as it decomposes in dumps. Composting is a powerful way to keep that food out of landfills and ensure it is reused in environmentally friendly ways. To do our part to reduce this impact, we contracted with Black Earth Composting in 2023 and initiated a temple composting program. You can learn more about our composting initiative from this video, featuring an original song written and performed by congregants Bernie, Sadie, Bev and Max Klau.
Opportunities to Get Involved
TST Environmental Action Committee (EAC)
– To learn more about the committee or get involved, email Max Klau at .
Jewish Climate Action Network Congregational Challenge
The Jewish Climate Action Network (JCAN) is a group of Jewish environmental activists here in MA who do great work promoting sustainability here in our state. They have created an online challenge provides a bunch of specific steps everyone can take to make their homes more green. Join the TST team and gain points by taking green actions in your own home!
TST Dayenu Circle
Dayenu is an organization mobilizing the Jewish community to take Climate Action on a national scale, and working with the Jewish community to help support and implement national environmental policy. To learn more, contact TST Dayenu Circle Leader Max Klau at
No Mow May
Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators need time to grow and develop through the first weeks of spring. To participate in the national effort to protect pollinators and educate the public, TST participates in “No Mow May”, an initiative that encourages individuals and organizations to allow their lawns to grow without mowing during the month of May. We invite all congregants to implement No Mow May at their own homes – a great way to save time and help the environment!
Resources
Take Action
Want to get involved in environmental action on the local or national levels? Here are some resources to get started:
Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action
Mass Energize
Sao Paulo Declaration on Planetary Health
Green Your Home
Want to take steps to green your own home? Here are some resource that may be helpful:
PlugIN Metwrowest
A wealth of resources for greening your home through solar power, heat pumps, and more.
Black Earth Composting
(This is the service that TST used for Composting).
Town of Natick Sustainability Resources
Town of Wayland Sustainability Resources
Town of Sudbury Sustainability Resources
Our Green Commitment
We are Shomrei Adamah (stewards of our Earth) who have the holy task of working towards the Jewish ideals of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), Tzedek (justice), and Ba’al Tashchit (prohibition against wanton destruction).
Relying on science-based evidence, we are committed to reducing our congregation’s environmental impact, being visible leaders within our communities, and partnering with local, national, and global organizations to advocate for a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future.
We seek to educate our community and integrate these values into Temple operations and our daily lives. As we make decisions at Temple Shir Tikva, we will work to identify, carefully consider, and implement options to reduce climate impact.