The Jewish Solar Challenge (JSC) announced the winners of its 2024 grant cycle. Seven Jewish organizations worldwide will be awarded money for the purchase and installation of solar panels and solar batteries. During this grant cycle, JSC is awarding a total of $318,000, and five of the seven organizations will receive the maximum matching grant of $50,000.
This year’s grantees include four temples, one camp, one Hillel, one community center and an international nonprofit:
- Temple Emanu El, a temple and early childhood center in Burbank, Calif.
- Beth El Congregation of South Hills, a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pa.
- Hillel at the University of California, Los Angeles.
- Tikvah Chadasha, a nonprofit focused on women and children with disabilities in Eastern Uganda.
- Valley Beth Shalom, a synagogue in Encino, Calif.
- Camp Jori, a summer camp in South Kingstown, R.I.
- Hamakom Synagogue in West Hills, Calif.
“We are honored to award grants to such an incredible and diverse range of organizations this year,” said Jewish Solar Challenge Founder Mitchell Schwartz. “These grantees exemplify our mission by demonstrating a deep commitment to sustainability that extends beyond the institution and into the greater community.”
The announcement of the grant winners corresponds with Hanukkah, often called The Festival of Lights.
“In many ways, Jewish values coincide with environmental issues and of being stewards of the land which God has given us, given to the people for future generations,” said JSC Board Member Miriam Prum Hess. “Through the gift of solar panels, we embody these values and the story of Hanukkah, by bringing the miracle of the sun, the light that doesn’t go out, to communities in a sustainable and impactful way.”
This brings the total amount awarded for solar panels to nearly $1 million since the Jewish Solar Challenge launched two years ago. Additional funds for winners were made possible by a $2,500 grant from the Jewish Community Foundation.
JSC chose winners based not only on their commitment to solar but other sustainability measures, as well.
