“That decision,” says Ben Gershowitz, vice president of facilities at The Associated, “is part of our corporate mission and values, which is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jewish culture. It drives our commitment to be good stewards of the environment.”  

Add Mark Smolarz, CFO of The Associated, “We recognize that by investing in the environment and safeguarding our resources today, we will leave a better, more sustainable world for our children and grandchildren.” 

Last year, The Associated became the only Jewish federation to be a founding member of the Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition, powered by Adamah, the largest Jewish environmental organization in North America. As a member, the organization released a Climate Action Plan that outlined the strategic efforts for The Associated network. 

Here are a few ways The Associated is leading the effort to address the growing threat of climate change. 

Green Loan Fund 

More than 10 years ago, The Associated established a Green Loan Fund to provide low-interest loans to Jewish organizations. Several years ago, they opened this fund to other faith-based nonprofits in greater Baltimore. 

Nonprofits can take advantage of up to $170,000 over a five-year period to improve their energy efficiency. 

Since its establishment, organizations such as Beth Tfiloh Congregation, Beth Israel Congregation and the JCC have used these loans to support energy conservation through lighting upgrades and renovations to heating and cooling systems, saving their organizations significant money in utility bills, while helping the environment. 

We are continuing to increase this fund—currently we have $1 million available. 

In addition, in recent years, Pearlstone, an Associated agency, has assumed the responsibility for the Green Loan Fund. Today, we have expanded it, taking it nationally so that organizations around the country can improve their energy efficiency. 

Launch of The Baltimore Environmental Sustainability Network (BESN) 

This fall saw the launch of the new Baltimore Sustainability Network (BESN), created to focus on implementing eco-friendly practices in the region.  

BESN aims to educate Jewish community members about Jewish views on climate activism. Adamah is the largest Jewish environmental organization in North America. 

In addition to education, BESN is engaging the community and promoting sustainability through legislative advocacy and community hands-on programming, 

This includes Adamah’s and the Baltimore Jewish Council’s (BJC) recent Annual Environmental Forum, where participants learned about our environmental advocacy efforts in the upcoming Maryland legislative session. Among its many efforts, BJC will be in Annapolis at the Maryland General Assembly this winter to testify in support of important environmental legislation.  

And on March 25, BESN is planning a program focused on food waste which reduces our carbon footprint. Other programs include a Green Mitzvah Fair the weekend of May 4 at the Myerberg Center.