🌞 Bringing Light All Year: HBT’s Solar & Sustainability Campaign

We are illuminating a more sustainable future through our Bringing Light All Year campaign— a community-wide effort to care for our aging building and invest in long-term environmental and financial resilience.

For over 70 years, this building has sheltered Jewish life in West Roxbury. For 55 of those years, Temple HBT has filled it with community. Now, it is our legacy to make this home stronger, greener, and more efficient by replacing the roof, installing solar panels, and upgrading the heating system.

Thanks to generous support from our community, and a $40,000 sustainability grant from the Jewish Solar Challenge, a project of the Schwartz-Rosman Foundation, we are moving forward with an energizing plan to fully electrify our building and power it with renewable energy.

This project will help HBT shine for decades to come — not just in moments of celebration, but every day of the year.

Financial Impact: Responsible, Sustainable, Forward-Thinking

• Annual solar loan payment: ~$14,000

• Current electricity budget: ~$15,000/year

Over time, our solar savings will offset these costs and help protect HBT from rising energy prices. Every dollar raised now reduces what we need to borrow — keeping more resources in our community and building toward long-term stability.

This project is a strategic investment in HBT’s future — grounded in Jewish values, environmental responsibility, and financial resilience.

Phase 1 Complete: $100K Raised!

Thanks to your generosity, we have completed Phase 1 of HBT’s Solar & Sustainability Campaign — raising over $60,000 from our community and securing a $40,000 grant from the Jewish Solar Challenge.

This milestone allows us to move forward with the next steps: applying for federal tax credits, finalizing our solar loan, and coordinating the timeline for roof replacement, solar panel installation, and heat pump conversion.

We are one step closer to becoming a fully electrified, climate-conscious building — and a model of Jewish sustainability for the future.

Ways to Support Temple HBT

Your generosity helps make Temple HBT stronger, greener, and more resilient — supporting both our sustainability efforts and the vibrant Jewish life we share.

• One-time Donation

  Support the work underway and reduce long-term borrowing.

• Multi-year Pledge

  Sustain our solar transformation and long-term planning.

• Tribute Gift

  Honor a loved one with a gift that powers our community’s future.

• Gifts of Appreciated Stock

  Maximize your impact and receive potential tax benefits.

• Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts

  Leave a lasting legacy to support HBT for generations.

Every contribution helps power the future of our synagogue — spiritually, environmentally, and financially.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is HBT going solar?

We’re taking bold steps to care for our building and our planet. Solar panels, heat pumps, and a new roof will reduce our carbon footprint, lower operating costs, and align our physical space with our values.

Is this financially responsible?

Yes. Our solar loan payment will be roughly equivalent to what we currently pay for electricity. Over time, we expect meaningful savings and insulation from rising energy prices.

How does this project reflect HBT’s mission?

HBT has always evolved with purpose. This project is an investment in our future—grounded in Jewish values of stewardship, justice, and care for generations to come.

Didn’t this start during Hanukkah?

Yes! While our “Bringing Light All Year” campaign was launched in October, the lights of Hanukkah inspired the theme. This work continues year-round as we move into implementation.

What’s happening now?

We’ve completed Phase 1, raising $100,000 through community support and a $40,000 grant from the Jewish Solar Challenge. We’re now preparing for Phase 2: securing our solar loan, filing for federal tax credits, and coordinating installation.

What is the Jewish Solar Challenge?

The Jewish Solar Challenge, a project of the Schwartz-Rosman Foundation, helps Jewish communities go solar through matching grants and support. Temple HBT is proud to be a recipient—strengthening our sustainability work through values-aligned funding.

Can I still give or get involved?

Absolutely. Every contribution—large or small—helps us borrow less and sustain more. If you’re considering a leadership gift, multi-year pledge, or legacy commitment, contact [insert contact here]..