Birkat HaHammah at Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills

Temple Emanuel Executive Committee President Sue Brucker, Incoming Board of Rabbis President Rabbi Denise L. Eger, Board of Rabbis Executive Vice President Rabbi Mark S. Diamond, Temple Emanuel Rabbi Laura Geller, Board of Rabbis Past-President Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben.

More than 50 people gathered at Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills on Tues., April 7 to celebrate Birkat HaHammah, and unveil one of a dozen "solar ner tamid" lamps that have been installed throughout Southern California as part of a joint project by the Board of Rabbis of Southern California and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

While largely symbolic, the solar lights are a launching pad for more "green" initiatives by synagogues everywhere and showcase the Jewish community's commitment to environmental stewardship.

"I can think of no finer way to celebrate the power of the sun than to harness its energy in new and creative ways," said Rabbi Mark. S. Diamond, executive vice president of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California, who recited the oseh ma'aseh bereshit prayer at last week's event.

Rabbi Laura Geller welcomed the crowd and served as the event's emcee. Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben chanted Genesis 1:14-18 from the Torah, followed by Rabbi Denise L. Eger, who read Psalm 148:1-6.

School kids sang "Here Comes the Sun" adorably and almost on key, and proclamations were given to the AQMD and the Board of Rabbis by the offices of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, State Senator Fran Pavley, and Congreswoman Jane Harman.

We thank the AQMD, Temple Emanuel, Rabbis Geller, Carr Reuben, and Eger and all the participating synagogues for their help and support.

Several media outlets picked up the story, see links here.

Posted by Eric at April 8, 2009 10:09 AM