Prospects for collaboration with Adamah’s Climate Action Fund (Speculation)

THE CLIMATE ACTION FUND of Adamah, the leading Jewish environmental organization, provides 50% matching grants (up to $20K) and 5-year interest-free loans (up to $250K) for projects that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

In our case, such reductions could result from three possible efforts:

• Improving energy efficiency;
• Converting stoves/ovens and water heaters from gas to electric power; and/or
• Installing solar panels. 

Below the jump, I explore the prospects for our participation in their program.…

Replacing the west windows of our school/office building (Speculation)

MOST OF THE WINDOWS in our school building were replaced under a state security grant in 2024. In order to meet the state standards, those new windows were of course much more energy-efficient than the original ones. 

Yet two large window bays that face an internal alley were left untouched. They are located in the hallway above the western door, and in the art studio. These windows were a less-obvious security risk because they don’t have direct access from the outside world, and Mishkon needed to be cautious about being able to secure reimbursement for its advance expenditures under the grant. 

Below the jump, this post records the dimensions of these older windows, reviews their condition, and examines the prospects for their eventual replacement.… 

The challenge of heating the sanctuary on Shabbat morning

IN THE WINTER, it’s a challenge to protect our worshipers from airborne illness while also keeping them warm enough, and while minimizing water damage to our facilities from rainfall. Fortunately, given the relatively temperate climate in Venice, we face this challenge only a few months of the year. Yet during those months, the situation requires active management. 

The HVAC control interface via the internet
(As usual, click/tap on an image to enlarge it.)

Each week during cold weather, the trade-offs need to be weighed. Factors include predictions for the outdoor temperature, the wind velocity and direction, the amount of rainfall — and how prevalent and how severe the covid-19, flu, and RSV infections are locally. 

Below the jump, this post discusses the challenges and trade-offs. It suggests some management guidelines, based on my experience last winter.

About the thermostats

WE HAVE THREE thermostats, all of which are the same model: a Honeywell Wifi 9000 Color Touchscreen. For the manual and online support, go HERE.

Below the jump, this post explains some features of our thermal comfort control system.…

About our air conditioning systems

Yesterday I spent the morning with Nathan Delgado, a service technician from Acme Heating & Air conditioning, with whom Mishkon has a service contract. 

Below the jump, this post describes what I learned from the experience.

Utilities Costs: Electricity and Water

BECAUSE I DON'T have ready access to our utility bills and usage records, I’m attentive when they do come my way. Recently, for a training project, I was given spreadsheets of what Mishkon spent on electricity and water (combined) during the past year. 

Below the jump, I briefly discuss the spreadsheets that I received from our bookkeeper.