A synagogue planned for southwest Evanston could become one of the most environmentally friendly houses of worship in the nation.

The Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, plans to raze its current synagogue and build a self-sustainable one on the same site at 303 Dodge Ave. Demolition is slated to begin this summer, with construction lasting until fall of 2007.

When completed, the new structure will be gold-certified, the second highest level for environmentally friendly buildings, according to the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standard. The synagogue will be the first LEED-certified religious institution in the U.S., according to the congregation.

The $8.75 million project is largely being funded by grants, donations and pledges. Last week the congregation received a $105,000 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation and has raised about $6 million from its own members.