New Year for Animals Zoom Discussion in Israel

From Uncertainty to Action: What You Can Do About Climate Change

Hebrew College 160 Herrick Road, Newton, MA, United States

The Jewish Climate Action Network (JCAN) is sponsoring its first conference, a time for community members from across New England concerned about climate change to come together. The conference will focus on a Jewish response to climate change, ideas for action, and how climate change is fundamentally a social justice issue. It will provide organized opportunities to connect with others interested in working together. Summery of the conference: Panel exploring what Judaism adds to our understanding and ability to respond to climate change Two rounds of workshops, each of which will provide concrete information about a specific way to respond to the threat of climate change and to connect with others Opportunity to speak with community organizations and businesses involved in environmental work Special workshop for teens and tweens Short wrap-up program highlighting what has been accomplished and providing a send off Facilitation of informal gatherings for dinner at nearby restaurants those who want to continue the conversations. A schedule and descriptions of workshops and bios of workshop leaders can be found at http://www.jewishclimate.org/may-2015-conference.html When: Sunday, May 17, 3-7 PM Where: Hebrew College, Herrick Road, Newton Registration: https://secure.hebrewcollege.edu/form/uncertainty-action-what-you-can-do-about-climate-change Cost: $18 donation (optional); students are free. Co-sponsors include: Hebrew College, Center for Global Judaism, Hazon, LimmudBoston, Shomrei Bereshit: Rabbis and Cantors for the Earth, and others.

$18

Yom Kippur at the Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln Memorial Washington, DC, United States

YOM KIPPUR Day of Atonement/ At-Onement Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC September 22-23, 2015 Sundown to Sundown For more information, and to RSVP, please visit the Facebook event page: Yom Kippur 2015 at the Lincoln Memorial   Kol Nidre  6:30pm to 8:30pm Morning Service with Yizkor   10am to 1:30pm Minchah/Neilah  5:00pm to 7:45 pm, concluding with shofar blasts followed by a multi-faith vigil   Yom Kippur is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, a fast day for seeking both Atonement and At-Onement.  At this moment in history, we humans are in need of atonement for the ways in which we have desecrated the Earth; this desecration is the result of our lack of at-Onement – our separation from one another, from all living beings, and from the Earth. This year, Yom Kippur falls immediately prior to Pope Francis’s unprecedented address on September 24 to a joint session of Congress. We offer this Yom Kippur service as an invitation to the Jewish community, along with people of all faiths, to come together, acknowledging our profound need for interconnection and atonement.  This service will be part of a series of faith-based events planned for the week of September 24 in support of Pope Francis.   Why the Lincoln Memorial? The Lincoln Memorial is the pre-eminent American symbol of our collective responsibility to work for freedom and democracy for all people with “malice toward none, and charity for all.”  It is where millions of Americans have gathered to stand for the dignity of each person.   A Contemplative, Inspired Yom Kippur Service We will draw from the traditional liturgy of Yom Kippur and will also include chanting, contemplative practices, and opportunities for reflection and sharing.  Words from Pope Francis’ Encyclical will be interwoven throughout the day, and faith leaders from other traditions will also offer reflections.  This invitation to all people of faith is an acknowledgement that our world view is not particular to Judaism, or to Catholicism, or to any one tradition; and rather, together we will engage our hearts and spirits for this sacred moment in time.     Please be aware: Yom Kippur is a day of fasting and we prefer that you not bring food or drink with you.  If you need to eat or drink for health reasons during the service, please use discretion and step away from the congregation while eating or drinking. Many worshipers will wear white clothing to signify our intention to purify our souls and our lives. You are encouraged to: Invite friends, family and colleagues who may want to join us for any part of the Yom Kippur services. Bring a chair or a cushion to sit on.   Wednesday night around 7:45PM: Conclusion of the Service Yom Kippur services will conclude when three stars appear in the sky on Wednesday night, a fitting affirmation of our interconnection with the movement of the universe.  We will then join with the Franciscan Action Network and others for a multi-faith vigil in preparation for the Pope's address. We will break our fast with people of faith who have been fasting for as long as ten days near the White House calling attention to the need for action the sake of life on Earth.   Sponsored by the Shalom Center, in partnership with IMAC and MAC RSVP at the Facebook event page: Yom Kippur 2015 at the Lincoln Memorial

Free

Light the Way: Support Pope Francis’ Call for Climate Action

Dag Hammarskjold Plaza 47th Street and First Avenue, New York, NY, United States

Pope Francis is speaking to world leaders at the UN on September 25 with a simple message for politicians: There is no more time for talk.  Now is the time to act on climate change. In his recent encyclical on climate change, Pope Francis wrote that “…faced as we are with global environmental deterioration. I wish to address every living person on this planet.”   His impassioned message to humanity was drawn from Torah.  He wrote that Genesis 2 teaches us that we are required to respect and protect the dignity of every human being.  And Psalm 148 is a powerful lesson in the interconnection of all life.  He wrote about the implications of the Sabbath, the Shmita Year, and the Yovel, for a world faced with climate change. Let’s make sure his message is heard!  On the evening of Thursday, September 24, the night before Pope Francis speaks at the UN, Jews will be joining with other people of faith to Light the Way at a multi-faith Festival of Prayer and Music, just a few blocks from the United Nations.  The program will continue into the evening with in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which will also be released on September 25.  Following the Festival, a vigil will be held at the Church of Our Saviour at 59 Park Avenue. As we celebrate this season of teshuvah, tefilah, and tzedakah  —  repentance, prayer, and justice – let’s put our words into action.  Meet us at Light the Way to offer prayers, meditations, and music, and to show the leaders meeting at the UN that we support a 100% renewable energy, zero poverty future. Light the Way Multi-faith Festival of Prayer and Music  Thursday, September 24, 2015 at 4:30 pm Dag Hammarskjold Plaza 47th Street and First Avenue Information about the Light the Way Festival of Prayer and Music is available at http://ourvoices.net/newyork-lightstheway .  For more on Pope Francis’ Encyclical, see What the Pope’s Climate Change Edict Means for the Jews and Three Gifts From Jewish Tradition.  Here is a climate-themed kavanah you can offer during your services.

Free

The Jewish Veg Event of the Decade

Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion 1 West Fourth Street, New York, United States
$70

The Jewish Imperative of an Animal-Free Diet

Congregation Beth Sholom 354 Maitland Avenue, Teaneck, United States

Jeffrey Cohan, the Executive Director of Jewish Veg, is coming to Teaneck, NJ. He will be leading an hour-long, interactive presentation at Congregation Beth Sholom on the significance of Tza'ar Baalei Chayim (the Jewish mandate to prevent animal suffering) in our contemporary world. This event begins at 7 pm and is free and open to the public.

What can we do to save the environment as a Jewish community?

Birmingham, UK , United Kingdom

Come and hear David Krantz, and our other panelists Yonatan Neril and Frauke Ohnholz discuss the biggest environmental issues we are facing in the coming years and what we can do as a community to improve the wider environment that we live in. The Limmud Festival 2018 (December 22 - 27 in Birmingham, UK) is one of the biggest celebrations of Jewish learning and culture in the world. David Krantz leads Aytzim (Jewcology, Green Zionist Alliance, EcoJews, and Rabbis and Cantors for the Earth) and serves on the boards of the American Zionist Movement and Interfaith Moral Action on Climate. He’s also a National Science Foundation fellow at Arizona State’s School of Sustainability. For more information and to register: https://events.limmud.org/limmud-festival-2018/apply/

A tree of life: mapping the growth of the Jewish-environmental movement

Speaker: David Krantz From pickle makers to bicyclists to farmers to environmental-policy wonks to Yiddishists, learn more about the nascent Jewish-environmental movement. What initiatives are working in the field? Where are they? What are their strengths and challenges? And how can you become involved? The Limmud Festival 2018 (December 22 - 27 in Birmingham, UK) is one of the biggest celebrations of Jewish learning and culture in the world. David Krantz leads Aytzim (Jewcology, Green Zionist Alliance, EcoJews, and Rabbis and Cantors for the Earth) and serves on the boards of the American Zionist Movement and Interfaith Moral Action on Climate. He’s also a National Science Foundation fellow at Arizona State’s School of Sustainability. For more information and to register: https://events.limmud.org/limmud-festival-2018/apply/

New Year for Animals Zoom Discussion in Israel

You are cordially invited to attend a Zoom discussion of the historic, potentially transformative initiative to restore the ancient New Year for Animals and to transform it into a day devoted to increasing awareness of Jewish teachings about compassion to animals and how far current realities are from these teachings. It will also consider how animal-based diets and agriculture seriously violate basic Jewish teachings about preserving human health, treating animals with compassion, protecting the environment, conserving natural resources, helping hungry people, and pursuing peace. The event will take place on August 20, Rosh Chodesh Elul, when the ancient holiday was observed, at 8 PM Israeli time. To join the meeting,  click on the ZOOM link at the bottom of this page. The scheduled speakers are: Miriam Maisel, MD, family practitioner, with emphasis on nutrition and lifestyle; Rabbi Yonatan Neril, founder and director of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development; Richard Schwartz, PhD, president emeritus of Jewish Veg and author of Judaism and Vegetarianism; Yael Shemesh, professor of bible at Bar Ilan University; Alon Tal, PhD, chairman of the Public Policy Department at Tel Aviv University and author of Pollution in the Promised Land; Isaac Thomas, director of Vegan Nation  

New Year for Animals Zoom Discussion in USA

You are cordially invited to attend a Zoom discussion of the historic, potentially transformative initiative to restore the ancient New Year for Animals and to transform it into a day devoted to increasing awareness of Jewish teachings about compassion to animals and how far current realities are from these teachings. It will also consider how animal-based diets and agriculture seriously violate basic Jewish teachings about preserving human health, treating animals with compassion, protecting the environment, conserving natural resources, helping hungry people, and pursuing peace. The event will take place on August 20, Rosh Chodesh Elul, when the ancient holiday was observed, at 9 PM Eastern time, 6 PM Pacific time. To join the meeting click on ZOOM link at the bottom of this page. List of speakers: Dan Brook, professor of sociology at San Jose State University; author of  An Alef-Bet Kabalah  and Eating the Earth; maintainer of  The Vegetarian Mitzvah. Lewis Regenstein, author of Commandments of Compassion: Jewish Teachings on Protecting the Planet and Its Creatures, Replenish the Earth, and other writings on Judaism and animals; Richard Schwartz, PhD, president emeritus of Jewish Veg and author of Judaism and Vegetarianism; Jeffrey Tucker, director of Florida Earth Save Will Tuttle, Ph.D, visionary author of the international best-seller, The World Peace Diet; worldwide lecturer on veganism; recipient of the Courage of Conscience Award and Empty Cages Prize. (He will discuss how non-Jews will react to efforts to restore and transform the holiday.) Aharon Varady, community planner & Jewish educator; founding director, The Open Siddur Project; a pioneer in efforts to restore and transform the ancient holiday. Jonathan Wolf, founder of Jewish Vegetarians of North America; co-founder of L’Olam: The Jewish Environmental Network; executive director of Yashar: The Institute for Jewish Activism.