ASSOCIATED Establishes Sustainability Department

THE ASSOCIATED has launched a sustainability department, the first of its kind for any Jewish Federation across the country. The new department is being headed by Aleeza Oshry and overseen by THE ASSOCIATED’s Community Planning & Allocations Department.

The concept of working toward a sustainable Jewish Baltimore came to THE ASSOCIATED several years ago, in 2007, when it launched its Green Task Force and then the “Going Green Campaign.” Since then, THE ASSOCIATED has increased its efforts to not only provide a human and social services safety net for our community, to care for Jewish people in need, but also to care for our planet.

We started by converting our light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. We now use biodegradable paper products and have eliminated plastic water bottles at our headquarters on Mount Royal Avenue and at most of our 14 local agencies.

Last year, we opened a new facility for Comprehensive Housing Assistance Inc., (CHAI), designed in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, which evaluates buildings based on energy performance, water efficiency, material consumption, indoor environmental quality and integration with location. CHAI received its LEED Silver certification in May 2011.

With Aleeza in her new role, a move from her position as Green Coordinator at Pearlstone Conference & Retreat Center (an agency of THE ASSOCIATED); and the department now a permanent fixture in THE ASSOCIATED system, we are expecting to see more innovation out of THE ASSOCIATED in the green arena.

“Working out of THE ASSOCIATED, Aleeza and the dedicated members of our committee are now poised to establish partnerships with other local nonprofits to help them reduce their carbon footprint and pursue a host of sustainability goals,” says Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin, Chair of the Sustainability Committee. “THE ASSOCIATED recognizes that sustainability is not a one-time project, but an ongoing effort with new ideas and concepts that will help us flourish.”

Being green is just part of what we offer at THE ASSOCIATED to encourage healthy living—physically and emotionally. Learn more about our healthy living programs and services.

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