Cleaner energy for 100 Jewish homes

A new initiative will support 100 Jewish families in replacing gas appliances with efficient, electric alternatives powered by clean energy.

Participants will be guided through the full electrification process — from home energy assessments to upgrading solar panels, heat pumps, and cooling systems — all with expert advice and practical support.

The Jewish Climate Network (JCN) has launched an ambitious new community electrification project titled It’s Time: Smarter Energy. Trusted Support. Real Savings., aimed at accelerating the shift to renewable energy in Jewish households across Australia.

“This campaign is designed to cut through the noise,” said JCN CEO Joel Lazar. “Too many people in our community are still plagued by the ‘who, what, why, when and how’ of electrification. It’s Time will give them the confidence to act quickly, benefit fully, and lead by example.”

The launch comes as Australia sees a nationwide surge in home electrification. By the end of 2023, more than 3.6 million Australian homes and businesses had installed rooftop solar, and 135,000 had adopted high-efficiency air source heat pumps. Government incentives — including a new federal 30% discount on home batteries — are fuelling momentum, alongside growing awareness of the environmental and health risks of gas use.

Partnering with the social enterprise Goodbye Gas, JCN’s initiative is more than a climate solution — it’s a model of community leadership. The program not only aims to slash emissions and reduce power bills but also to future-proof homes against energy price hikes.

Rolling out initially in Melbourne and Sydney, It’s Time is envisioned as a national blueprint, one that could be replicated across Jewish — and broader — communities.

“This is about making climate action tangible, accessible, and local,” said Lazar. “We’re calling on philanthropists, changemakers, and policymakers to take note: meaningful change can start at home — and inspire a nationwide shift.”