Green Chavurah  The Bamboo Beneath My Feet    by Betsy Rosenberg Zimmerman Sometimes dreams do come true. When they do, it usually takes awhile.  Such is the case with my green dream; to build a shul that would be a showcase of sustainability. Not only did we do that but within the first two months of operation, our newly rebuilt Kol Shofar has been the recipient of two prestigious awards – see sidebar  for the exciting details. But if outside recognition is ‘icing on the cake’, what went into ‘making the cake’ is worth recapping for it contains a recipe for success: Start with a vision, put in one part each of hard work and perseverance, add more than a dash of patience, and good results should follow. It was nine years ago when Howard Zack announced to the congregation that we were embarking on a multi-year effort to raise funds to construct a new building on the Via Los Altos site. A building committee was assembled and our first task was to find an architect.  Another of the early decisions made by committee members was to remodel the original structure rather than destroy the old building and start from scratch. That was our first green step since we’d be keeping construction materials out of the landfill. Next, our architects - from the firm of Herman, Coliver and Locus - turned out to be a green dream team. Their expert staff was quickly becoming fluent in all aspects of eco-friendly building. Our sustainable shul was envisioned top down, with the environment in mind, beginning with restoration of a majestic dome that had been obscured by a low ceiling in our old sanctuary.   Several years - and town council meetings - later, Cahill Construction broke ground and the rest is history. When our new building was commemorated two years later, the beauty of both design and decor instilled awe, but also, a great sense of pride. We had built a stunning place to gather and worship, and had also created sacred space with enough green features to reflect who we are as community; a congregation concerned about the world around us even as we look inward to pray. As I had asked years earlier on the building committee; ‘If not us, whom? If not here, where? And if not now, when? Who knew ‘now’ would take so many years to manifest but it was well worth the wait, and the work – as anyone who has been to the new Kol Shofar will surely agree. And so it was on Yom Kippur as the sun was setting, stomachs growling and congregation swaying in the lovely pre shofar blowing trance-like state. That’s when I had a ‘religious’experience, or at least a moment that was very moving and magical. I had kicked off my shoes - after all the rising and sitting  - and then came my favorite moment of High Holy day services; the singing of Avinu Malkeinu. In mid-song, with arms around the waists of my husband and daughter, I suddenly became aware of the bamboo floor beneath my bare feet and realized - with a start - that we had, at long last, created a place of worship more beautiful than most had ever imagined, and greener than even my wildest dreams. I burst into tears of joy with the realization that all those meetings, hours and advocating that so many congregants put into this project, had paid off, big time. That emotion was followed by deep sense of gratitude, that our community had been so blessed with visionary Rabbis, architects, construction crews, committed congregants, and a dedicated ‘green team’* to build a place that symbolized, if not embodied, Tikkun Olam.  It also was palpable proof of the possibilities that come from vision, persistence, pride and purpose. So Mazel-tov to all who gave so generously on this project, in time, effort and dollars. G-d willing, may we next year have solar panels in Tiburon – that would truly be the green icing on our cake! Kol Shofar's Green Chavurah is a dedicated and enthusiastic group of individuals, committed to transforming the synagogue into a model of eco-sustainability. We believe that by seeing green principles demonstrated in every area of synagogue life, congregants will be more likely to take these ideas and practice them in their homes, schools, businesses and greater communities. Want to do your part to stop global warming? We welcome congregants of all ages. Join others from Kol Shofar to take action, educate others, and make changes in our community. Currently our main focus is on ensuring that our new building, which breaks ground at the beginning of next year, be as green as possible. We meet periodically (about once a month) to talk about our ideas for greening the new building. We not only discuss our ideas for making Kol Shofar a shining example of the best ideas of green construction, but also how our congregation can become the leader in sustainable  congregations. If you have ideas for the new building, or if you have ideas of how we can practically achieve our goals (by raising funds or contacting suppliers) please join us. *The Green Team is led by Sarah Rose and Betsy Rosenberg. Members include Rico Hurvich, Michelle Samuels, Susan Schneider, Jay and Harriet  Schnitzer Phil Walters, Ellen Tobe and Rabbi Chai Levy. Your help is needed now! Getting involved in this project is a way to impact Kol Shofar's eco-imprint for years/decades to come, and also a great opportunity to practice Tikkun Olam in our own backyard. For more information, please contact Sarah Rose through the Kol Shofar directory, or by emailing green@kolshofar.org TWICE BLESSED Kol Shofar has Energy On November 9th Kol Shofar tied for first place in the Green Building category at the ‘Energy Oscars’. The event was hosted by Reverend Sally Bingham’s California Interfaith Power and Light and Regeneration Project. A group that included President Karen Hirsch and Kol Shofar’s architects and ‘green team’, accepted the award from actor and eco-activist, Ed Begley Jr. The plaque and certificate were proudly presented to the board for display in our new gorgeous and green building. ONE AWARD LEADS TO ANOTHER Each year, California Construction Magazine conducts a statewide competition to recognize construction and design excellence in projects completed in that year. This year, projects honored by the magazine varied from an airport terminal improvement project in San Jose to a dam outlet modification in Los Gatos.  The winner in the Worship category was our own Congregation, Kol Shofar.  On December 1, Ron Brown was pleased to accept that award on behalf of the Congregation at a ceremony at the San Francisco Marriot Marquis Hotel. Surrounded by our architects and contractors, Ron told the assembled audience of the dedication and professionalism of all those who had worked on the project, and of the pleasure of the entire Congregation at the beautiful finished product of their work. Green Links Hazon.org Canfeinesharim.org - Connecting traditional Torah texts with contemporary scientific findings, Canfei Nesharim educates and empowers Jewish individuals, organizations and communities to take an active role in protecting the environment, in order to build a more sustainable world. Our synagogue is part of a pilot program, one of six in the Bay Area.   See Rabbi Chai Levy's Drash from 10/24/09 on Parashat Noach, on the International Day of Climate Action. hyperlocavore.ning.com/ Open garden project is a vegetable exchange and gleaning and gardening. opengardenproject.org Open garden project is a vegetable exchange and gleaning and gardening. arbolmarin.org This website, run by Flor, in our congregation, teaches people to garden on plots of land respectingourelders.org This is a group to feed disabled and seniors. www.gardeningwithnatives.com/resources/buy_plants.htm Where to buy native plants. interfaithpower.org – California Interfaith Power & Light arava.org – Arava Institute for Environmental Studies jnf.org/goneutral – Jewish National Fund Go Neutral Campaign greenfaith.org – Interfaith partners in action for the truth coejl.org – Coalition on the Environment & Jewish Life coejl.org/~coejlor/greensyn/gstoc.php – Greening Synagogue resources theshalomcenter.org – Green Menorah Covenant