Solar First for Reform Shul
Maidenhead Synagogue, a Reform community, has just become the first synagogue in the country to install solar panels on its roof.
The cost of £20,000 was recouped immediately thanks to a combination of grants, donations and savings in energy bills.
Members of the synagogue were encouraged to participate by buying a cell for £18 each, the number representing the Hebrew word 'chai' meaning 'life'.
However, according to Rabbi Jonathan Romain it was not inspired by economics: "The main motive was fulfilling Jewish teachings about preserving the environment and a desire to play a part in the fight for sustainability. The panels also serve as a powerful message to individual
congregants about Jewish eco-values, and if it leads to all 800 of our households installing their own solar panels, it will have a massive knock-on effect".
The synagogue now not only generates its own electricity but also sells its excess to the national grid, which earn it £1,500 per annum.
Other measures that have been taken to make it an eco-synagogue has been installing low energy lighting, lagging pipes and insulating the loft and cavity walls. In addition, any purchases for the shul kitchen are Fairtrade products.
At the same time it has planted a vegetable garden and grows tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, lettuce, marrow, carrots and onions. The produce is used for both the Shabbat kiddush and the weekly lunches for the homeless that the synagogues organises. There is also a wormery for decomposing wastage.
The project was piloted by former chair of the synagogue, Danny Allen. Rabbi Romain concluded that "the venture has proved a wonderful mix of being financially canny and going green. We have managed to lower both our costs and our carbon footprint at the same time".
Find out more about Maidenhead Synagogue.
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