The JRF-GreenFaith Partnership

GreenFaith and the JRF through the Department of Congregational Services and Tikkun Olam are pleased to announce a three-year partnership to promote a deepening of JRF’s existing environmental initiatives. GreenFaith is a leading national interfaith environmental coalition whose mission is to help diverse religious communities become environmental leaders.  GreenFaith is a leading interfaith environmental coalition whose mission is to educate, equip and empower diverse religious communities for environmental leadership.  Founded in 1992, GreenFaith offers a range of programs that help faith-based groups nationwide put their beliefs into action for the earth.  The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation has had a long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and the role of the Jewish people in building sustainable communities (http://jrf.org/Sustainable_Synagogue_Resources).

We are delighted to announce that String of Pearls in Princeton, New Jersey, http://www.stringofpearlsweb.org/), became the first Reconstructionist community to apply and be accepted to the two-year congregational certification program as part of the JRF-Greenfaith partnership in the fall of 2011. Rabbi Donna Kirshbaum, String-of-Pearl's rabbi is also a graduate of the Greenfaith two-year individual fellowship (see Rabbi Kirshbaum's statement of commitment below). The next deadline to apply to this program is May 1, 2012.                                                                                

 Through the partnership, GreenFaith is offering the following opportunities:

    * Three 50% tuition scholarships/year to the GreenFaith Fellowship Program for Reconstructionist leaders. 

The GreenFaith Fellowship Program is the only comprehensive interfaith environmental education and training program in North America, with a network of over 70 Fellows nationwide.  Over 18 months, Fellows attend three retreats, write their own eco-theological statement, carry out a leadership project, and much more.

The GreenFaith Fellowship Program is the first comprehensive education and training program in the US to prepare lay and ordained leaders from diverse religious traditions for religiously based environmental leadership. Through this program, GreenFaith offers religious leaders a unique opportunity for educational, spiritual and vocational growth and skill development in religious environmentalism.  Using insights gained by successful religious leadership development programs, the program educates leaders from diverse backgrounds to develop and implement plans to address environmental issues in their vocational settings. 

   * Four 50% tuition scholarships/year to the GreenFaith Certification Program for Reconstructionist congregations. 

The GreenFaith Certification Program is the only interfaith environmental certification program designed specifically for houses of worship.  Through a 2-year process, participating congregations undertake a range of environmental initiatives to become a GreenFaith Sanctuary.

The GreenFaith Certification Program is the nation’s first interfaith environmental certification program designed specifically for houses of worship.  The program helps synagogues, churches, mosques and temples become strong environmental leaders by carrying out numerous environmental leadership activities over a two year period. 

To listen to a webinar to learn more about the Certification Program, click on https://greenfaith.webex.com/greenfaith/lsr.php?AT=pb&SP=EC&rID=3056972&rKey=437ba2436424435a for the audio and webinar slides or just follow the webinar pdf below.

Jewish Teachings on the Environment Webinar

In January of 2012, JRF and Greenfaith offered a webinar featuring Rabbi Fred Dobb, highlighting key Jewish teachings on the environment, and providing numerous practical tips and resources for your synagogue.  Along with time for discussion and questions, it will also highlighted the partnership between GreenFaith and the JRF, as well as the opportunities that are available for synagogues to join the GreenFaith Certification Program with a 50% tuition subsidy. View the webinar and other resources from the Reconstructionist movement at: http://greenfaith.org/programs/denominational-partnerships/the-reconstructionist-jewish-movement

To view resources from the 2011 Greenfaith Philadelphia Conference, "Ground for Hope" supported by JRF and RRC see http://greenfaith.org/success-stories/presentation-materials-from-ground-for-hope-philadelphia

For further information on the congregational certification program contact Stacey Kennealy at certification@greenfaith.org and Rabbi Shawn Zevit at szevit@jrf.org.