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.
All images are courtesy of Congregation Beth Am.
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.
How will you use the savings generated by going solar to further support your mission?
As a nonprofit, our budget is so tight that sometimes it’s hard to implement new initiatives and programming. The savings from our solar system allow us to dream big for our programs and do things we couldn’t have considered before.
This year, for example, for the first time we added a visit to Prague to the trip to Israel. We have a Holocaust Torah at Beth Am from the once-thriving Roundice Jewish community near Prague, as well as a replica of a wall in that community. On the trip to Prague the kids got to see the original wall, which is an important part of Beth Am’s story.
Were there any special considerations for your solar installation?
We chose to install a solar carport rather than installing panels on our roof. In the early days of the synagogue, leaks in the sanctuary roof caused significant financial challenges, requiring fundraising efforts just to address the repairs — so our Board of Directors is very sensitive about putting anything on the roof.
When we were considering where to install the carport, location was important to us. We wanted to maintain the beauty of the entrance to Beth Am, but there’s also a certain beauty in seeing a solar carport and knowing that it’s sustainable.
We resolved this issue by installing a small part of the system at the front of our campus, with the majority installed at the back.
What does your solar system mean to you?
I’m very proud to be able to say that this project will be one of my legacies at Beth Am. Many schools and churches in our area had already gone solar, and we’re glad to join them.
How did you connect with CollectiveSun, and how was the experience?
We connected with CollectiveSun early in the process through members who knew Lee Barken. Matt and Lee at CollectiveSun were such mensches, so professional and kind. They guided us through the process, and when there was the opportunity to simplify things, they simplified them. They put us at ease and helped us realize the process of going solar does not need to be complicated. We’re beyond grateful for them; I highly recommend CollectiveSun.
What did you learn in the process of going solar that other nonprofits should know?
The whole project was an educational experience for us. Installing solar is a construction project, and we weren’t used to managing a construction project, so CollectiveSun’s help was crucial. Our local utility and the city were slow with approvals, and their instructions were sometimes unclear. Fortunately, CollectiveSun was able to expedite the process to prevent it from taking even longer.
For other nonprofits who want to go solar, I suggest that they use CollectiveSun and go with their recommendations, because they are usually right.
How would someone get in touch with your organization to learn more about your services?
The best place to start is by visiting our website at https://www.betham.com and calling the main number, or people can email me directly at gilad@betham.com.
