Roadmap to Decarbonize American Jewish Life
Adamah, the largest Jewish environmental organization in North America,
Decarbonize all of American Jewish life by 2040.
Decarbonization means eliminating climate-warming emissions from how Jewish institutions power their buildings, heat and cool their spaces, and move people and goods. The Roadmap to Decarbonize American Jewish Life is a climate action guide for the American Jewish community.
Why Institutions are the Lever
Jewish institutions across North America are already experiencing climate disruption. Camps have faced destructive fires or closed temporarily due to smoke or extreme heat. Synagogues and schools face rising insurance premiums and emergency repairs after storms. Federations and social service agencies are responding to climate-driven economic instability.
At the same time, the Jewish community has extraordinary assets to bring to this moment: our institutions, our moral tradition, our philanthropy, and our history of collective action. We have a rare opportunity to lead.
Jewish institutions—synagogues, day schools, JCCs, camps, Federations, and community organizations—are the backbone of Jewish life. They are also one of the most powerful levers we have for accelerating climate action at scale. They have physical infrastructure: buildings, fleets, and equipment. They are also trusted community anchors: their choices shape what staff, members, students, and families see as possible.
Yeshiva University
New York, NY
Systemic Ambition to Decarbonize
Yeshiva University | New York, NY
Yeshiva University (YU) has set an ambitious goal of making its roughly 20 properties carbon neutral by 2040. These efforts reflect a pragmatic “do good and do well” approach: reducing environmental impact while responsibly managing operating costs for a large, complex institution.
With support from Adamah NY’s Climate Action Fund (CAF), recent projects include an LED lighting retrofit (reducing emissions by 19.5 metric tons of CO₂e per year) and a window replacement ($55.8k, 10-year payback made even shorter by utility rebates and Adamah Climate Action Fund grant).
“By using less energy, we are doing our part to reduce our environmental impact and set a meaningful example for our students.”
— Ruth Fried, Chair of the Science Department
Project Snapshot
- Institution: Yeshiva University (New York, NY)
- What they did: LED lighting retrofit and window replacement; goal of decarbonizing by 2040
- Total project cost: $142,000 combined
- Adamah support: $20,000 grant combined
- Projected financial impact: $20,000/year in savings
- Projected payback period (including rebates): combined < 3 years
- Projected climate impact: 29.5 tons of carbon emissions avoided annually
Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale
Bronx, NY
Rooftop Solar as Visible Jewish Leadership
Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale | Bronx, NY
When Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale explored rooftop solar, the opportunity was clear—but the upfront cost was a real barrier. With a grant from the Adamah NY Climate Action Fund, combined with state and federal incentives, the synagogue moved forward with a 50kW rooftop solar installation that delivers both environmental and financial benefits.
Beyond the balance sheet, the system has become a teaching asset. In the words of Rabbi Barry Dov Katz:
“The solar panels are a visible symbol of our synagogue’s commitment to sustainability. We can point to them and say to the children and adults of our community, ‘It is a Jewish value to take care of the earth — and this is one way we are doing it.’”
This case also shows how a relatively small philanthropic contribution can unlock a full project—reducing emissions, lowering operating costs, and strengthening the synagogue’s role as a moral and communal leader.
Project Snapshot
- Institution: Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale (Bronx, NY)
- What they did: 50kW rooftop solar installation
- Total project cost: $189,000
- Adamah support: $10,000 grant
- Projected financial impact: $12,000/year in savings
- Projected payback period (including rebates):15 years
- Estimated annual electricity savings: ~$12,000
- Projected climate impact: ~28 metric tons CO₂e avoided annually
Beth Israel Congregation
Detroit, MI
Solar as Resilience, Savings, and Mission Alignment
Beth Israel Congregation |Detroit, MI
The work began when Beth Israel Congregation worked with Adamah Detroit staff to hold a conversation on how the climate crisis was impacting the congregation and how the community wanted to respond. Momentum began to build with a teen-written environmental kavanah and climate themes in Shabbat sermons.
In 2024, the congregation received a grant from Adamah’s Climate Action Fund for an LED installation project (titled “Let There Be Light”), and went on to receive additional support to install on-site solar. As one lay leader put it:
“Adamah has provided critical insight and direction, start-up funds, and access to other like-minded organizations. We wholeheartedly encourage other congregations to join us in our work to save the planet for future generations. This is part and parcel of all our Jewish aspirations.”
Project Snapshot
- Institution: Beth Israel Congregation (Detroit, MI)
- What they did: LED lighting upgrade; and on-site solar
- Total project cost: $255,000 combined
- Adamah support: grants of $5,000 and $9,700
- Projected financial impact: $28,000/year in savings
- Projected payback period (including rebates): 6.4 years
- Projected climate impact: ~142.5 metric tons CO₂e avoided annually
Adamah’s Leadership Platform
Here is Adamah’s platform that we are building on to decarbonize American Jewish life:
- The Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition, with 500 Jewish organizations committing to take action to decarbonize, staffed by a national climate team.
- A set of national partners who are the umbrella organizations of American Jewish life.
- A Climate Action Fund that has deployed more than $1.8 million into decarbonization projects.
- Six Community Impact Hubs that supercharge the depth and reach of local climate work.
- A robust database of hundreds of climate action plans and project outcomes across the Jewish community.
Key Interventions
To prevent the worst impact of climate change, the world’s countries have identified a clear goal: reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Fortunately, the most effective pathway is now well understood:
- reduce energy demand through efficiency
- electrify buildings and transportation
- supply that electricity with renewable sources
A small set of proven technologies, deployed at scale, can deliver the bulk of emissions reductions needed for Jewish institutions to move toward net-zero. The core interventions are:
Learn how Camp Tawonga installed solar and increased their climate resilience. As climate writer Bill McKibben likes to say, we now live on a planet where “the cheapest way to produce energy is to point a sheet of glass at the sun.”
Solar as Resilience, Savings, and Mission Alignment
Camp Tawonga | near Yosemite National Park, CA
Camp Tawonga has experienced firsthand the destruction caused by climate-induced wildfires, including major fire events in 1999, 2013, and 2019 that limited operations, destroyed buildings, and underscored the camp’s vulnerability to climate change. In response, the camp set out to reduce its reliance on the fossil fuels driving those same risks.
With support from an Adamah grant, Tawonga installed a 125kW ground-mount solar array on its 160-acre property for approximately $750,000. During planning, the camp also made a resilience-driven design choice: locating the array near its water source to make the system more defensible in the event of wildfire and working directly with the utility for technical support.
For Tawonga, the project is not only an energy upgrade—it’s a long-term institutional resilience strategy that protects programming, strengthens financial stability, and models values for thousands of campers and families each year.
Project Snapshot
Project Snapshot- Institution: Camp Tawonga (San Francisco Bay Area; property near Yosemite National Park)
- What they did: 125kW ground-mount solar installation (with site planning for wildfire defensibility)
- Total project cost: $950,000
- Adamah support: $10,000 grant
- Projected financial impact: $70,000/year in savings today, projected to rise toward ~$90,000/year as electricity rates increase
- Projected payback period (including rebates): 8.9 years (conservative)
- Projected climate impact: ~84 metric tons of carbon emissions avoided annually
Upgrading insulation and air sealing, switching to LED lighting, and modernizing building controls reduces wasted energy and utility bills. Learn how the Merage JCC upgraded their lighting to LED and is saving $70,000 per year.
Efficiency Upgrades with Rapid Payback
Merage Jewish Community Center | Irvine, CA
One of the simplest climate interventions is often the most financially compelling: lighting efficiency. At Merage Jewish Community Center, leadership pursued a whole campus conversion to LED lighting, an upgrade that delivers immediate emissions reductions while freeing operating dollars for mission.
Merage JCC converted its entire campus lighting for $204,000, partially funded by an Adamah grant. The project is saving the JCC $70,000 annually, paying off the full cost in under three years, and preventing ~321 tons of carbon emissions each year. The success of the project also helped catalyze a broader energy strategy, including motion detectors, digital lighting controls, and high-efficiency pool equipment.
This kind of climate action is the lowest hanging fruit: high confidence, fast payback, and an upgrade that strengthens institutions for the long haul.
Project Snapshot
Project Snapshot- Institution: Merage Jewish Community Center (Irvine, CA)
- What they did: Whole campus LED lighting conversion (and follow-on efficiency planning)
- Total project cost: $204,000
- Adamah support: $10,000 grant
- Projected financial impact: $70,000/year in savings
- Projected payback period (including rebates): < 3 years
- Projected climate impact: 321 tons of carbon emissions avoided annually
Transitioning to electric appliances (including water heaters, kitchen appliances, and laundry) is necessary to eliminate reliance on fossil fuels. HVAC upgrades, replacing aging heating and cooling systems with high-efficiency electric options, can significantly reduce emissions and reduce operating costs. Learn how Congregation Or Shalom in Vancouver became one of the first completely decarbonized Jewish buildings.
A Fully Carbon-Free Jewish Institution
Congregation Or Shalom | Vancouver, BC
In 1994, Congregation Or Shalom purchased its building, which was formerly a Scottish Highland church. They continue to expand and renovate the building to make room for their growing congregation. As part of the renovation, they will decarbonize the building completely, becoming one of the first completely carbon-free Jewish institutions. They are replacing two gas furnaces with heat pumps, mini-splits, and an air handler, and replacing the gas stove and water heater with electric appliances. 97% of the electricity from their grid is generated from hydropower.
While the synagogue will save a minimal amount on their energy bill, they see decarbonization as a matter of social and environmental responsibility. Jewish teachings on sustainability are woven into education for children and adults, and they are lived out in the day-to-day food operations of the congregation.
“This project is about more than just bricks and mortar – it’s about building a future rooted in sustainability, inclusivity and connection.”
– Synagogue board member Mira Oreck
Project Snapshot
Project Snapshot- Institution: Congregation Or Shalom (Vancouver, BC)
- What they did: Renovate and completely decarbonize their building
- Total project cost: $340,678
- Adamah support: $100,000 loan
- Projected financial impact: $70,000/year in savings
- Projected payback period (including rebates): minimal savings (values-driven project)
- Projected climate impact: fully decarbonized building
Key Learnings
Adamah’s Climate Action Fund has funded nearly 80 projects. Adamah has collected a core set of data to begin to understand the impact of these key interventions.
The $1.8 million the Climate Action Fund has awarded to date includes $1.28 million in the form of no-interest loans and $560k for matching grants. Currently, across all of the projects Adamah’s Climate Action Fund has funded, we have received a return on investment for Jewish institutions of 6.3 years.
Different interventions serve different purposes. Energy efficiency measures have consistently delivered strong financial returns with quicker paybacks. Solar projects have offered high climate impact with moderate payback periods that vary by geography and available incentives.
Lighting upgrades perform especially well on both cost and emissions metrics, but they are less visible as educational or community-facing interventions. Even after these projects reach “years to payback,” they continue to produce value for Jewish institutions annually well beyond the payback period.
There are approximately 6500 Jewish institutions in America, of nearly a dozen common types. The most prominent are synagogues, Hillels, camps, Jewish Community Centers, Jewish Federations, and schools. Among the institutions who have submitted climate action plans to Adamah, approximately 70% own a building, 15% rent space, and 15% are virtual or remote with no building.
Climate Action Fund Grants and Loans
Decarbonizing the 6,500 Jewish institutions across North America will require capital at scale – both philanthropic and catalytic (interest-free or low-interest loans).
Grants play a critical catalytic role. In nearly every project funded to date, Climate Action Fund dollars covered only a portion of total costs. That early capital unlocked the remaining investment and enabled institutions to move forward. Our experience shows that many institutions are willing to act but need a targeted financial push to do so.
Loans, particularly zero-interest loans, are important for larger projects with strong long-term savings. These tools allow institutions to move ahead now and repay over time from energy cost reductions, turning climate action into a financially responsible decision. By growing both grants and concessionary loans, the Climate Action Fund can unlock significantly greater scale. This model has proven effective with the nearly 80 projects already supported.
With four years of demonstrated impact, Adamah aims to launch an expanded Climate Action Fund this fall, designed to meet the scale of the challenge ahead. This moment can accelerate climate engagement for Jewish institutions nationwide and help build an inspiring leadership model for faith-based climate action.
An Invitation to Lead
Adamah’s vision to decarbonize all of American Jewish life by 2040 is ambitious but achievable. This Roadmap focuses on Jewish institutions, as they are a key lever to create a multiplier effect and accelerate change across the whole Jewish world. It will require visionary philanthropy willing to invest early capital, structured to unlock action, and partners committed to building the field. Adamah stands ready to lead this work. We invite you to join us, not only to reduce emissions, but to help shape a resilient Jewish future.
The moment is now.
