Change a Lightbulb, Light a Light

by Joanne Palmer

So how many Jews does it take to change a light bulb?

The Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL), as it tongue-twistingly is called – has asked the question lightly, but the answer’s entirely serious.

The organization, founded in 1993, headquartered in New York, and active in advocating for the environment on behalf of much of the organized Jewish world in Washington, represents 20 national Jewish organizations and is part of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. COEJL takes seriously our God-given mandate to take care of the earth, which, we are told, belongs to God. The issues that underlie environmentalism – human health and well-being, clean air, clean water, a commitment to using sustainable resources – are important to us as Jews, given that mandate.

The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism is one of COEJL’s partners. We share COEJL’s belief that such core Jewish values as tzedek, or justice; gemilut chasidim, performing acts of lovingkindness; and tikkum olam, helping to repair the world, demand that we take care of the world in which we live. If we do so, we will have come one step closer to shalom, the peace for which we all yearn.

How do we accomplish these lofty goals? There are many ways, some more difficult than others. One easy way to make a difference – and very seasonably, during this season of the Festival of Lights – is through the How Many Jews Does It Take To Change A Light Bulb, aka “A Light Among the Nations.”

The program is based on the fact that compact fluorescent light bulbs, also called CFLs, use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. That results in lessened greenhouse gas emissions, less air pollution, and less toxic waste. In fact, according to COEJL, if every North American household would replace one of its incandescent bulbs with a CFL, the effect would be the same as that produced by removing one million cars from our roads.

COEJL offers Jews a number of ways to buy CFL bulbs and to publicize their use. The bulbs can be bought through synagogues or ordered directly from COEJL, and the organization suggests that a bulb installation ceremony be held at synagogues on December 11, so that it makes it into the Jewish newspapers that appear in the community’s mailboxes on Friday – this year, that’s Chanukah. It also offers a suggested ceremony, which includes a schecheyanu, the blessing said over something new.

United Synagogue’s commitment to protecting the environment is as old as the organization; it was formally recognized by a resolution accepted at the board as it met at our biennial convention in 1999. “Our concern for environmental issues spans the gamut of issues that face us as Jews, as Americans, and as people,” said Dr. Richard Lederman, the director of our Seaboard region and also the director of our Committee for Social Action and Public Policy. “It includes such issues as welfare, social justice, national security, and even esthetics. Our dependence on foreign oil affects not only our national security but the national security of Israel. This project, A Light Among the Nations, is an easy and useful way to engage on this issue. And Chanukah is the perfect time to do it.

“It’s a celebration of light, and it allows us to address issues of human welfare, the welfare of the planet, our national security, and Israel’s security,” he said.