By Mary Malloy
The report called: "Greening the Faith - A Long Island Environmental Stewardship Report," showcases progress made at local places of worship in reducing their environmental footprint. One of the places of worship highlighted in the report is Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre, which installed a 20 kw solar energy system and upgraded building lighting to efficient flourescents. They also adopted a green policy reflecting Jewish values on the environment.
"This is just the beginning of a multiyear solar project, Warmflash said at the ceremony. "The congregation recently adopted an environmental policy that recognizes the contemporary understanding of Jewish values Tikkun Olam - repairing the world - and Tzedek, which is justice," he said.
The Hewlett/East Rockaway Jewish Centre, he said, is striving to educate all of its congregants in environmental matters, so they can improve conservation in their homes and lives. He drew similarities between the celebration of Hanukkah and the installation of the solar panels.
The report was released in May at the 3rd Annual Conference of the Long Island Interfaith Environment Network (LIIEN), which was hosted at the Molloy College Suffolk Center, Republic Airport, in Farmingdale. The event featured speakers talking about energy efficiency and reducing toxins. Featured speakers were efficiency experts from the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) and National Grid, and a panel consisting of representatives of different faiths working to reduce utility bills by implementing efficiency renovations who shared the lessons they have learned from their efforts. Topics also covered included organic lawn care and "green" cleaners. Financial incentives available for places of worship to become more energy efficient were a central focus of the discussions, with the theme "be green to save green."
"The level of interest from places of worship located across Long Island in doing their part for the earth is inspiring," said Beth Fiteni of the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College, and co-chair of LIIEN. Over 130 people of faith attended this year's conference.
"One reason we started the Long Island Interfaith Environment Network a few years ago was because saving energy helps houses of worship to thrive," said the Rev. Tom Goodhue, Executive Director of the Long Island Council of Churches. "People are more likely to support your congregation in good times and bad times if they know that you are using their gifts wisely - and caring for the earth."
"We want to reduce our reliance on foreign oil," said the synagogue's president, Liz Kislik. "And we urge our congregants to conserve energy."
