Brighton and Hove Progressive wins gold at environmental awards

Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue (BHPS) has won a prestigious gold award at a ceremony in north-west London this week.

Along with guests including renowned ecologist Hugh Warwick, the community received the award at the EcoJudaism Awards, which honor steps taken by congregations across the Jewish community to move toward an environmentally responsible future.

Benita Matofska, BHPS Board Member responsible for EcoJudaism and Sustainability, said: “This is a very proud moment for our synagogue. I am thrilled that our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, protect and preserve our planet and become more sustainable have paid off.

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“It’s been a long journey, with some challenges, so to see our collaborative efforts to do better for people and the planet being recognized in this way makes us very proud.”

BHPS becomes only the third winner of an EcoJudaism Gold Award – following West London Synagogue and New North London Synagogue. New North London won the award last year and also received its award at the event.

Each year, EcoJudaism awards Bronze, Silver and Gold to Jewish communities and organizations that achieve 40, 60 and 80 percent, respectively, on its Environmental Audit.

Other winners at this week’s ceremony included Barnet United Synagogue (Silver), Belmont United Synagogue (Bronze), Etz Chaim Synagogue (Bronze), Golders Green United Synagogue (Silver), Liverpool Reform Synagogue (Bronze), Maidenhead Synagogue (Silver), Potters Bar & Brookmans Park United Synagogue (Bronze) and Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community (Silver).

There are currently over 70 synagogues – of all denominations and across the UK – registered with EcoJudaism.

The charity’s new chief executive, Naomi Verber, said the rise in numbers reflected the community’s desire for a better relationship with the environment: “The more than 70 synagogues now working with EcoJudasim to reduce their environmental footprint are testament to the fact that Jewish climate action is real and is now happening at a rapid pace across the British Jewish community.

“Every congregation that has participated in the EcoJudaism project will attest that their shul’s operations, reputation, and membership engagement have improved as a result of the environmentally friendly changes they have made. Being an eco-shul is not a chore, it is a win-win for the community and the planet.”

“The words that sum up the work of our award winners are ‘hineh ma tov a na’im Shevet achim gam yachad‘ – ‘behold, how good and how pleasant it is when brothers (and sisters) dwell together in unity.’ By working in unity and learning from one another, we are making progress together on this vital issue.”

In September, EcoJudaism will launch a series of campaigns – from ‘River Rejuvenation’ to ‘Sustainable Food Consumption’, open to everyone, regardless of synagogue affiliation.