CHIGWELL and Hainault United Synagogue was among the winners at the EcoSynagogue Environmental Awards.
The awards, which celebrate the synagogues who are doing the most in their communities to help combat the climate emergency, took place at Cambridge Cottage, Kew Gardens.
To qualify, a community had to score 80% (Gold), 60% (Silver) or 40% (Bronze) in EcoSynagogue’s Environmental Audit.
Andrea Passe, EcoSynagogue Project Manager, said: “Chigwell and Hainault United Synagogue is a great example of how the EcoSynagogue partnership with the Board of Deputies has been so successful. They full deserve to be recognised with this Bronze Award.”
Those winning Silver Awards in June 2022 were Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation, Kol Chai Hatch End Reform Jewish Community, Newcastle Reform Synagogue and Oxford Jewish Congregation.
Joining Chigwell picking up Bronze Awards were Barnet United Synagogue, Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue, Golders Green United Synagogue, Kol Nefesh Masorti Synagogue, Magen Avot United Synagogue, Maidenhead Reform Synagogue, Muswell Hill United Synagogue, North West Surrey Synagogue and St Albans United Synagogue.
The event also gave a chance for November 2021’s winners – including EcoSynagogue’s only ever Gold Award recipient West London Synagogue – to collect their certificates, after previously only receiving them virtually at the EcoSynagogue stand at COP26 in Glasgow.
Michael Wegier, Chief Executive of the Board of Deputies was in attendance and added: “The Board of Deputies are proud of our partnership with EcoSynagogue which has resulted in measurable environmental changes in registered communities, providing the framework for the UK Jewish community to play our part to halt the climate crisis.”
The ceremony was hosted by broadcaster and journalist Jonathan Sacerdoti with guest speaker Benita Matofska, a writer and activist. The awards were presented by EcoSynagogue’s Rabbinic Team.
Earlier that morning EcoJudaism – the new umbrella organisation incorporating the EcoSynagogue project – held its first event, a panel discussion on the climate energy and energy crisis.
Pictures by Susannah Fields Photography
