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# Putting the screws to global warming
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/putting-the-screws-to-global-warming/
- Published: 2006-12-15T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T23:22:44.000Z
- Author: Melody Hanatani
- Tags: Environment, Pacific Palisades, #archive-import

PACIFIC PALISADES — This year, menorahs across the nation will be aglow with environmentally friendly light bulbs.

More than 500 synagogues across the United States are expected to participate in the campaign “A Light Among the Nations” — comically referred to as “How Many Jews Does It Take To Change a Light Bulb” — to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save the environment one small step at a time.

Launched by the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the campaign will encourage synagogues to hand out or sell compact fluorescent light bulbs during their Hanukkah ceremonies after sundown tonight.

“Climate change is always a big part of our agenda,” said Barbara Lerman-Golomb, executive director of the COEJL, an organization that connects environmentalism with Judaism. “The idea of changing a light bulb is a small step that can lead to greater action.”

Compact fluorescent light bulbs consume 75 percent less energy than an incandescent bulb and last eight times longer. The average fluorescent light bulb will save its owner $55 in energy costs during the lifetime of that bulb, according to officials at the COEJL.

COEJL estimates it will sell 50,000 light bulbs through this campaign into the new year, Lerman-Golomb said on Thursday.

The goal ofthe campaign is to encourage Jews to not only make changes in their lifestyles, but to approach their legislators about adopting more sustainable energy policies.

“Once they become aware of the problem of how much energy we use in the country and at home,they could possibly be interested in making bigger changes, such as buying energy efficient appliances...or buying a more energy efficient car,” Lerman-Golomb said.

Many synagogues will incorporate the fluorescent light bulbs into the Hanukkah ceremony, using tear drop-shaped fluorescent bulbs on the menorah,including the eternal light.

One of the synagogues participating will be the Kehillat Israel, a reconstructionist congregation, in the Pacific Palisades.

Part of Rabbi Steven Reuben’s sermon today at Kehillat Israel will focus on global warming.

“The Jewish community needs to take responsible action immediately to help stop the devastating effects of global warming,” Reuben said.“Climate change is causing climate injustice around the world.

“As Jews, we cannot stand idly by as others suffer.”

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 15, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/121506.pdf?ref=smdp.com)