Draft:ReJews

ReJews, also known as ReJews Recycling & Solar, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes sustainability and social entrepreneurship in the Jewish world. Founded by Henry Goodelman, it helps develop community and family campaigns focused on reducing our carbon footprint through environmental action initiatives in homes, schools, synagogues, offices, restaurants, and community centers. In 2018, as part of an effort to have sustainability create a more direct impact into the lives of families, ReJews launched a renewable energy program to help homeowners get solar panels throughout NY, NJ, PA, CT, MA, FLA, AZ, CA, GA, NV, AZ, & TX. In English, ReJews rhymes with "reuse."

History

Having evolved from a summer 2012 recycling program in an Aish HaTorah residence hall in the Old City (Jerusalem), ReJews launched its Facebook page in December 2012, registered as a not-for-profit PA organization with a federal EIN in 2013, and was recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) in March 2015.

In 2012, Jerusalem "Deputy Mayor Naomi Tsur, who held the environmental and urban planning portfolio and was a past director of the Jerusalem branch of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel" "commended the Aish HaTorah initiative and urged other residents to follow their example until the city can provide other solutions."

In an interview with Shira Feder for The Forward, Jacob in the Torah is referenced. In Vayishlach, before the story of Jacob wrestling with the angel occurred, Jacob had been going back across a river to fetch a few tiny jugs that were left behind. Highlighting Bal tashchit, the Biblical directive to not waste, this principal has served as a guide for the organization.

In 2015, the White House featured a sustainably made, steam-punk designed Hanukkah menorah to highlight the balance between industry and environmentalism, and highlight the ReJews work efforts promoting sustainability and social entrepreneurship. The same year, the Philadelphia Jewish Voice reported that Israeli-American Jewish rapper Kosha Dillz was using the menorah at a Hoodies for Hannukah clothing drive fundraiser concert.

When Mishpacha covered the organization in their 10 Questions segment, it was revealed that Blue Moon (beer), Google, and Walgreens have participated as sponsors and supporters for the "Chosen Organizations" program.

In 2023, it was revealed in an interview that ReJews has also received support from Microsoft through its Ads For Social Impact program.

Recognized on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals platform for its efforts connecting with schools to better serve communities around the world to achieve sustainability goals, the ReJews SDG partnership campaign has been tasked with promoting awareness locally, and increasing support globally. Matched with Sustainable Development Goal 11, which focuses on creating inclusive, safe, and resilient cities with a balance of social, economic and environmental sustainability, Sustainable Development Goal 12, which aims to ensure responsible consumption and production patterns, including the improvement of energy efficiency, sustainable infrastructure, as well as the creation of green and decent jobs, and Sustainable Development Goal 17, for the overarching goal partnership to create new multi-stakeholder public-private partnerships to share knowledge and expertise, ReJews has held relationships with the Lemba people and Igbo Jews.

While no roll-out of a custom bin design has been announced, the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle reported on plans to design, manufacture, and provide custom recycling bins to coincide with the launch of the "Chosen Organizations" program.