Climate Change and the Jewish Question

Climate Change and the Jewish Question

by Rabbi Dr. Dov Maimon Despite everything they have in common, the Israeli Jewish experience differs greatly from the Diaspora Jewish experience. The two communities don’t always have the same interests or find the same issues compelling, and they disagree on quite a few matters, both those relating to values

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Reduce Our Carbon Footprint

Last fall, Rabbi Rain Zohav, Director of Jews of the Earth, led an intergenerational program at the Mishkan Torah Synagogue in Greenbelt, MD. Rabbi Rain served as the Education Director on how to reduce our carbon footprint. The format of the day was organized like this: – Meeting with both

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Jews of the Earth at Ohalah

A Conference for Rabbis and Cantors Dedicated to Renewing Judaism Jews of the Earth, also known as J.O.T.E., had a very visible presence at the Ohalah Conference which was held in January 2020. Before the planning for the conference started, the members advocated for the theme to be about the

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Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, Simchat Torah, and Veganism

~by Richard Schwartz Vegans and vegetarians eat plant-based diets. Vegetarians eat no animal flesh, while vegans also avoid dairy products and eggs, and many do not wear leather, fur, or silk. Many vegans and vegetarians avoid involvement in any activity that involves the mistreatment of an animal.  Some people may

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Earth Etude for Elul 29: Elul Unmasked

~by Judith Felsen, Ph.D. In rendezvous with You dare I reveal,  express the self behind the mask, the one not dressed in Yom Tov finery, but quarantined instead in tattered garb, clutching remnants of protection combat refugee within and out, who journeyed through the year  bracing challenge, tasks You offered?

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Shanah Tovah — May You Have a Good Year

by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen The world is on fire,     laying waste to forest and city. G!d is my life-force and my wholeness: whom would I fear? (Ps. 27:1)** May we remain ready and willing to engage with the world. The ice sheets are collapsing,      and

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Earth Etude for Elul 28: Dying. Birthing.

by Rabbi Robin Damsky ~ Burning. I am consumed by the burning. I lived in Santa Barbara and other parts of California for about 20 years. I remember the Painted Cave Fire in 1991 that started on “The Pass” – the way we Santa Barbarans referred to the San Marcos

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Earth Etude for Elul 24: Adamah v’shamayim (Earth and Heaven)

by Rabbi Louis Polisson I sit and look out over the green grass The grove of trees just in front of me, to the left I sing Adamah ve-shamayim [earth and sky] Ḥom ha-eish [heat of fire] Tz’lil ha-mayyim [sound of water] Ani margish zot [I feel this] Be-gufi [in my body] Be-ruhi [in my spirit]

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Earth Etude for Elul 23: Day of Atonement

by Carol Reiman The river sings to you, the voice of clear water, of ripples, of force over stones. Listen further, to sounds of children splashing in the great heat, where the flow is sullied from the waste of carelessness and greed. The gasping of those weakened by asthma in

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Earth Etude for Elul 22: Ani L’dodi V’dodi Li

by Daniel Kieval The Hebrew letters of “Elul” are said to spell out ani l’dodi v’dodi li — I am for my beloved and my beloved is for me. I invite you to listen to this song as a message of love being sung uniquely to you — perhaps from the Divine,

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Earth Etude for Elul 21: Of Fences, Barriers, and Trees

by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen לְדָוִ֨ד ׀ יְה ׀ אוֹרִ֣י וְ֭יִשְׁעִי מִמִּ֣י אִירָ֑א יְה מָֽעוֹז־חַ֝יַּ֗י מִמִּ֥י אֶפְחָֽד׃ Of David. Adonai is my light and my help; whom should I fear? Adonai is the stronghold of my life, whom should I dread? (v.1) Of David, God is my life-force and my

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Earth Etude for Elul 20: Elul 2020

by Judith Felsen, Ph.D. Is this You?  Your eyes behind the mask search lights beaming,  bridging gaps of social distance, gazes merge in glances  momentary soul connection  Is this You?  Body wracked breath ventilated clinging to existence space suited team in rescue heroism humbly shared   facing of death Is

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Earth Etude for Elul 19: A Tomato, A Single Tomato

by Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein Six months Inside, a cocoon Finding my authentic self Learning and relearning new skills Baking challah Chanting Torah Painting seascapes Planting Herbs for more flavor Cucumbers for pickles And tomatoes I’ve never done well at gardening But this year  This year Success! There, right there

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Earth Etude for Elul 18: Nature Meditation

by Rabbi Susan Elkodsi At a retreat two years ago, I was inspired by Rabbi Katy Allen’s “walking in nature” Shacharit meditation. I believe there’s power in being in nature, as Rabbi Nachman said, but it has been difficult for many during this pandemic. These photos were all taken by

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