Manchester rabbi receives award
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Published: December 3, 2008
MANCHESTER — Rabbi Michael Cohen was awarded a Jewish Reconstructionist Federation Sustainable Synagogue honor at the federation's biennial convention last month in Boston for his commitment to the environment through his work with the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, the Green Zionist Alliance, the Arava Power Company and Jewish Environmental Education.
In 1990, the Reconstructionist movement passed a resolution on the environment and congregational life. Since 2006, the foundation has been working on its "Sustainable Synagogues and Living a Jewish Life Rooted in Ecological Values" program as part of its Sustainable Synagogue initiative.
Cohen also was a semifinalist for the Eliav-Sartawi Journalism Awards for articles written about the Middle East, which were printed in the Middle East and the United States including the Rutland Herald.
The Eliav-Sartawi award is presented by the Search for Common Ground, a group with offices in Washington, D.C., and Brussels, to celebrate journalism that contributes to better understanding between people in the Middle East.
Cohen is the director for special projects of the Arava Institute and the Rabbi Emeritus of the Israel Congregation of Manchester Center. He also sits on the board of trustees of Burr and Burton Academy and Manchester's municipal tree and energy committees.
— Staff reports
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