Contact: Max Rosenblum or Liya Rechtman
202.387.2800 | news@rac.org
Washington, D.C., April 16, 2015 – Today the Religious Action Center awarded 11 congregations and Reform Movement affiliates across the U.S. and Canada Travel Justly grants, which are designed to support grassroots engagement in environmental justice initiatives. The projects supported are wide ranging and include congregational and community gardening, installing low-energy products, and developing a ride-sharing program for synagogue events.
Since its establishment in 2008, the Travel Justly carbon-offsetting fund has provided over $20,000 to Reform Movement environmental initiatives in North America and Israel. The Fund is supported by donations from participants in Reform Movement events and conferences who elect to contribute as a means of offsetting emissions from their travel.
Barbara Weinstein, Director of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, congratulated the Travel Justly award recipients:
“Travel Justly grant recipients are Reform Movement leaders in the essential work of environmental sustainability. They understand that each of us has a role to play in ensuring that we reduce our carbon footprint and pass down a habitable earth to our children. We are excited to watch their initiatives succeed – and grow – with the support of Travel Justly grants and look forward to others replicating their success.”
Rabbi Shoshanah Conover, chair of the Travel Justly Grant Committee, said of the recipients, “We have known for a long time that Reform synagogues and camps lead the way in adopting righteous policies and practices. These grants will strengthen our congregations and Reform Movement affiliates, providing them the recognition they deserve as they model this sacred work for all of us in the Reform Movement, and beyond.”
The congregations and affiliates honored with this round of Travel Justly grants are:
- Am Shalom - Glencoe, Illinois
- Congregation Shir Hadash - Los Gatos, California
- Mitzvah Corps - New York, New York
- Shaarei Beth El - Oakville, Ontario
- Temple Beth Emeth - Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Temple B’nai Israel - Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Temple Israel - Rogersville, Missouri
- Temple Shalom - Chevy Chase, Maryland
- Touro Synagogue - New Orleans, Louisiana
- URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp - Utica, Mississippi
- URJ Camp George - Toronto, Ontario
