October 24, 2011 | 1:48 pm

Temple Judea Wins Energy Oscar

Posted by Dikla Kadosh

Follow JewishJournal.com on

Temple Judea, whose recent renovation was featured in TRIBE’s September issue, has received recognition for incorporating green strategies in its rebuilding project. The Reform synagogue, located in the West San Fernando Valley, celebrated the new year in September with a new $26-million campus, after a decade of careful planning and 18 months of construction.

And now, according to a press release on Judea’s website, the temple has been named a finalist for an “Energy Oscar,” awarded by the California Interfaith Power & Light (CIPL) commission.

“Since we began initial discussions nearly 10 years ago to expand and rebuild our Tarzana campus, our focus has been on community responsibility with energy conservation as an key ingredient of that commitment,” explained Temple Executive Director Ellen Franklin in the press release.

Some of the synagogue’s green features include:

• On-site storm water infiltration pit which prevents storm water from entering and polluting city streets and sewers,

• 25% fly ash content in concrete mix, in lieu of cement, reducing greenhouse gases,

• Formaldehyde-free plywood,

• High efficiency heating and cooling systems,

• Thermal Break aluminum window frames with low-e coating,

• Bamboo flooring, a rapidly renewable source,

• Low VOC paints,

• Drought-tolerant, locally-sourced planting including original San Fernando Valley citrus trees and an edible vegetable garden

Temple Judea will receive the CIPL award at the “Energy Oscars” on Tuesday, November 15, at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.

To read the entire press release, go to templejudea.com and click on the Community tab.

0 Comments — Leave your comment

Share this post: del.icio.us Digg Facebook Google Reddit StumbleUpon Technorati YahooMyWeb