This article was originally published by our solar-finance partners, CollectiveSun and was written By Rosana Francescato.
Since 1982, Congregation Beth Am, a Conservative synagogue in San Diego, California, has passed its community’s rich traditions from generation to generation. Beth Am is home to members from diverse backgrounds, providing them an engaging religious life, opportunities for lifelong learning, and innovative social and youth programs.
In 2025, Congregation Beth Am added a new solar system to its campus in partnership with CollectiveSun. Gilad Hoffman, Executive Director at Beth Am, told us about the project and the organization’s programs.
Please tell us about your organization’s work, programs, and services.
Beth Am’s mission is to nurture an inclusive Jewish environment which connects our diverse community with passion and purpose through prayer, learning, love of Israel, friendship and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world).
Unlike many synagogues, whose biggest demographic is generally the 65+ age group, our demographic includes a high percentage of young families. We have a full-time preschool of about 150 kids on our site. We also have two supplemental schools: a kindergarten through sixth grade school with about 150 kids, and a seven through twelfth grade school with about 100 kids. In addition to education, we foster community building among the kids and the families.
We just took 20 high school kids on an educational trip to Israel, and we host many experiential activities. We have a retreat coming up that will include members of all ages.
Who benefits from the programs and services you provide?
In addition to serving our diverse members, we work with other Jewish organizations that host events on our site, and we rent space to non-Jewish groups, in particular choirs and music schools that hold classes, camps, showcases, and more. We try to help nonprofits like those.
Beth Am also participates in food drives and collections for families who need supplies like diapers and children’s clothing. These are usually done in partnership with other organizations, such as Jewish Family Services. Every Bar and Bat Mitzvah student at Beth Am has to fill two baskets with food that we provide to Jewish Family Services, which has a storefront where families in need can “shop” for supplies.
What sparked your organization’s interest in solar energy?
Sustainability is core to Beth Am’s values; before going solar, we were already recycling as well as replacing old light bulbs with LEDs. In the Jewish tradition, our responsibility extends beyond caring for ourselves and our communities to caring for the world we inhabit. This responsibility is captured in the concept of Tikkun Olam — the obligation to help repair and sustain the world. Protecting the Earth is therefore not separate from our Jewish values; it is a core expression of them.
Initially, though, economics was the driving force behind our solar system. As Executive Director looking at all the costs here, I realized our high electric bills provided a prime opportunity to cut costs.
With the help of CollectiveSun, we found a model that works, and now we should be seeing significant savings. At a minimum, we expect to save $70,000–$80,000 a year, while also making our campus more sustainable.
