THE COLLECTIVE CONVERSATION – January 2026 NEWSLETTER

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. 

If you’re thinking about getting solar for your nonprofit, you’re not alone! Many nonprofit organizations across the nation are going solar, and for good reason. Solar not only lowers your carbon footprint, supporting the environment — it can also lower your nonprofit’s electricity bills, allowing you to focus precious financial resources on your mission.

But the process of going solar may seem daunting.

That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive 62-page solar guide to give you the information you need, every step of the way. 

At CollectiveSun, we’ve helped hundreds of nonprofits across the country go solar. We can help you before, during, and after your solar is installed — helping you determine whether solar makes sense for your organization, explaining the available financing options and incentives, and even managing the project for you, if you pick a financing option that includes that service.

Now, the support we provide nonprofits includes our new 62-page guide, with information to support you wherever you are in your solar journey. The guide includes:

• Solar basics

• Financing solar for your nonprofit

• Preparing your nonprofit for solar

• What to do after you go solar

• And more things you need to know

​As a subscriber to our newsletter, you can download the 62-page guide for free below. Let us know if you have any questions or comments — we’re always here to help.

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CollectiveSun is here to help you with your solar financing.

| Interest Rates Start at 4.99% |

| Rates Are Based On Community Impact, Not Just Credit Score | 

| One Simple Payment | Term Length Up To 10 Years | 

| Payment Holiday Durning Construction of System | No Prepayment Penality | 

Our goal is for you to end up with a solar system that reduces your carbon footprint and is a $0 down investment with a positive cash flow from day one, so it has an immediate impact on your bottom line. That’s what we want most for the organizations that are the backbone of our communities — financial and environmental sustainability that allows you to concentrate on your mission and reach your sustainability goals. 

At CollectiveSun, we understand that every nonprofit is unique, and that’s why we offer a diverse range of financing options. Whether you’re considering a loan like our CollectiveSun Solar Loan designed to support your purchase of a solar system while allowing you to benefit directly from the Direct Pay Tax Rebate; exploring third-party ownership options like our CollectiveSun Solar Power Agreement (SPA); or seeking a hybrid funding model like our CollectiveSun Prepaid Solar Power Agreement (Prepaid SPA), we have the perfect solution to match your solar financing needs.

For those looking to dive deeper into how Direct Pay can benefit you, we’re excited to offer a free comprehensive course series on HeatSpring. This series covers not only Direct Pay but also the additional ITC bonus adders, providing you with all the information you need for when your filing is due.

📚 Enroll in the free courses here:

CollectiveSun HeatSpring Direct Pay & More Course Series 

You’ll discover how these incentives can make solar energy even more accessible and cost-effective for your nonprofit organization. Together, let’s harness the power of the sun to fuel your mission and create a brighter, more sustainable future for all.

Let’s connect and start the conversation!