How Celebrating Passover Can Help Heal Our Planet…
- Applying Passover Messages Can Help Heal Our Imperiled Planet
- Passover and Vegetarianism and Veganism
- Inconsistencies in Passover Eating
- Freeing Ourselves at Passover From Diets That Harm Us and the Planet
1. Applying Passover Messages Can Help Heal Our Imperiled Planet
There are many Passover-related messages that can be applied to help shift our imperiled planet onto a sustainable path: 1. Today’s environmental threats can be compared in many ways to the Biblical ten plagues: • When we consider the threats to...An Open Letter to Rabbis
Review of Animal Welfare in World Religion
Joyce D’Silva’s book Animal Welfare in World Religion; Teaching and Practice points out an anomaly that is the main reason that the world is rapidly approaching a climate catastrophe and facing other environmental threats. While about 80 percent of the world’s people belong to a religion and these religions have strong teachings about compassion for animals, the vast majority of the people have animal-based diets that involve great cruelty to animals.
Animal-based agriculture is the main cause of climate change...
Book Review of “Food For Thought: Planetary Healing Begins on Our Plate”
Food For Thought: Planetary Healing Begins on Our Plate
Camilla Perusello, PhD
Lantern Publishing and Media
2022.
F ood For Thought That Can Heal the Planet
At a time when animal-based diets are contributing very significantly to a potential climate catastrophe and other environmental threats, risks of future pandemics, the very wasteful use of increasingly scarce land, water, energy, and other resources, and the massive mistreatment of farmed animals, Dr. Camila Perussello’s wonderful book,...
Can We Avert a Climate Catastrophe?
by Richard Schwartz
The most critical issue facing the world today is the possibility of a climate catastrophe that threatens all life on our planet. This article discusses the seriousness of the threats; why they are likely to become far more severe in the future; and what needs to be done to provide a chance to avert the looming catastrophe.
First, it is important to recognize how strong the scientific consensus about climate change is. Science academies worldwide,...
How kosher plant-based diets help heal our imperiled planet and why it’s so important during Passover.
by Richard Schwartz
Take a look at the following 3 articles:
1. Freeing Ourselves at Passover From Diets That Hurt Us and the Planet
2. How Applying Passover Messages Can Help Heal Our Imperiled Planet
3. Passover and Vegetarianism or Veganism
=============
1. Freeing Ourselves at Passover From Diets That Hurt Us and the Planet
Jews commendably go to extraordinary lengths before and during Passover to avoid certain foods, in keeping with Torah mitzvot. But at the same time, many...
Ten Ways to Create a More Vegan World
There is increasing evidence that animal-based diets are causing an epidemic of life-threatening diseases, contributing to climate change and other environmental threats to humanity, and having other negative effects. Despite the increasing need for a shift toward veganism to counteract these problems, progress has been relatively slow. It is time to consider new strategies to promote veganism more effectively. The ten ideas suggested below are designed to start dialogues that will lead to positive changes. It is my hope that...
Freeing Ourselves at Passover From Slavery To Diets That Are Harmful To Us and Our Planet
Some Jews commendably go to extraordinary lengths during Passover to avoid certain foods, in keeping with Torah mitzvot.
But at the same time, many continue eating other foods that, by Torah standards, are far from ideal.
On Passover, Jews are prohibited from eating, owning, or otherwise benefiting from chometz , foods such as breads, cakes, and cereals, that are made from one of the five grains (wheat, barley, rye, spelt, and oats) that ferment...
An Open Letter To Rabbis
Shalom dear Rabbis,
Because of your collective wisdom, dedication to Jewish values, and valuable contacts, you are in a position to help shift our imperiled planet onto a sustainable path. This would help leave a decent, habitable, environmentally sustainable world for future generations. To paraphrase Mordechai’s plea to Queen Esther when the Jews of Shushan were in danger of annihilation, perhaps you were put into your present position for just such a purpose.
As you...
There is no ‘Planet B’ – My book review of “Vegan Voices” in the March 25 Jerusalem Post magazine
The French writer Victor Hugo famously wrote, “Nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come.” Vegan Voices: Essays by Inspiring Changemakers , through very insightful essays by dedicated vegan activists, provides many reasons why the time has come for a societal shift to veganism.
These include:
* There has been an explosion in the number of plant-based substitutes for meat and other animal products, some with the appearance, texture, and taste so similar to the animal products...
Parshat Tzav: Meat Consumption in Temple Days and Today
And that which is left thereof [from the meal-offering] shall Aaron and his sons eat; it shall be eaten without leaven in a holy place; in the tent of meeting they shall eat it. . . . it is most holy as the sin-offering and the guilt-offering. Leviticus 6:9.10 When the Jewish people were in the wilderness before they entered the land of Israel, the consumption of meat was associated with holiness. Every piece of meat consumed came from an...
A Vegan View of the Biblical Animal Sacrifices
“Now we come to the great embarrassment.” Those were the opening words of a sermon delivered years ago by an assistant rabbi at the Young Israel of Staten Island, referring to the biblical animal sacrifices discussed in Parshat Vayikra (Leviticus).
In his book, Jewish Law as Rebellion: A Plea for Religious Authenticity and Halachic Courage, Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo, Dean of the David Cardozo Academy, states: “Does Judaism really need animal sacrifices? Would it not be better off...
Interview with Rabbi Gabriel Cousens, a long-time vegan activist.
by Richard Schwartz
Rabbi Gabriel Cousens functions as a Holistic Physician, Homeopath, Psychiatrist, Family Therapist, Ayurvedic Practitioner, and Chinese Herbalist. In addition, he’s a world-leading diabetes researcher, ecological leader, spiritual master, founder, and director of the Tree of Life Foundation and Tree of Life Center US. In addition, he’s a bestselling author of There Is a Cure for Diabetes, Conscious Eating, Spiritual Nutrition: Six Foundations for Spiritual Life and Awakening of Kundalini, Rainbow Green Live Food Cuisine, Creating Peace by...
Compassion in the Jewish Tradition
Compassion is one of Judaism’s highest values. God is referred to in synagogue services as Ha - rachaman (the compassionate one) and as Av harachamim (Father of compassion). Since Judaism teaches that human beings, uniquely created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), are to emulate God’s positive attributes, we should also be compassionate.
The Talmud states that Jews are to be rachmanim b’nei rachmanim (compassionate children of compassionate ancestors) and that one who is not compassionate cannot...
Why Jews Should Be Vegans
This article was originally published in the February 18, 2022 Jerusalem Post
There is a widely accepted aspect of modern life that contradicts many Jewish teachings and harms people, communities, and the planet -- the mass production of meat and other animal products and their widespread consumption. Animal-based diets conflict with Judaism in at least six important areas:
1. While Judaism mandates that people should diligently preserve their health and their lives, numerous peer-reviewed studies in respected medical journals have...
Powerful sermon sent to me by NJ rabbi, Shammai Engelmayer
Shammai’s Shabbat Sermon for Mishpatim
I’m going to begin with a word of caution. Some of what I have to say may be difficult to listen to. You’ll understand why soon enough.
Today’s parashah unveils the Sefer Ha-B'rit, the Book of the Covenant—the foundation document for God’s mamlechet kohanim v’goi kadosh, God’s kingdom of priests and holy nation. It makes up the three complete chapters that are the bulk of Parashat Mishpatim.
As you’ve heard me say in the past,...
Is Eating Meat a Mitzvah that Comes from an Aveirah (Sin)?
Judaism is all about performing mitzvot, carrying out God's commandments. However, a mitzvah haba'ah b'aveirah - a mitzvah abetted by an aveirah (sin or "illegitimate means") - is forbidden and is not considered a mitzvah. For example, if one uses a stolen lulav and esrog on Sukkot, it is not a proper mitzvah. Similarly, if money is stolen, it cannot be used to give tzedakah (charity). In fact, the sages indicate that it is better not to do the...
Invitation to a Tu B’shvat Seder
Shalom,
I will be facilitating two Tu B’Shvat Seders using zoom:
One, for Israelis and UK residents, will be on Sunday, January 16, from 9 PM to 10:30 PM, Israeli time.
The other, for Americans, will be on Monday, January 17, from 1:30 PM to 3 PM, US eastern time.
I have conducted many Tu Bishvat seders in the past, both in rooms with attendees and by Zoom.
The ten pages of source sheets that will be the basis of the...
Eight Articles: Everything you need to know about Tu Bishvat
by Richard Schwartz
Tu Bishvat is the New Year for Trees. It honors trees, fruits and other aspects of nature. It is a Jewish holiday that is typically vegetarian or vegan as nuts and fruits are eaten as part of the ritual. To learn more take a look at the eight articles that follow:
1. Why Is This Night Different: Thoughts on Tu B’Shvat
2. Tu B'Shvat and Vegetarianism and Veganism
3. Preserving the Sacred Environment: A Religious Imperative – A Tu...
Pikuach Nefesh, Climate Change, and Veganism
Judaism stresses pikuach nefesh , the principle that everything possible must be done to save a life, even if Jewish law has to be violated to do so. Of the 613 Torah mitzvot (commandments), 610 of them can be violated if if it might help save a life. The three exceptions are the prohibitions against murder, idolatry, and sexual immorality, the three cardinal sins.
The Torah teaches that humans were created, “in God’s image,” (Genesis 1:26,...
First draft of my book, “Restoring and Transforming the Ancient Jewish New Year For Animals: An Idea Whose Time Has Come. Suggestions very welcome.
Shalom,
I would very much welcome suggestions on all or part of my draft below of a manuscript, tentatively entitled, “Restoring and Transforming the Ancient Jewish New Year for Animals: An Idea Whose Time Has Come.” I plan to send the final draft to MANY rabbis and Jewish veg and animal rights activists at least a month before Rosh Chodesh Elul, August 27 in 2022, when the ancient Jewish holiday occurred, hoping that would result in many holiday observances, and...
Complete text of the 3rd edition of my book, “Judaism and Vegetarianism”
Please see excerpt below. Thanks.
A Dialogue Between a Jewish Vegan and a Rabbi
It is vital to conduct respectful dialogues within the Jewish community
on whether Jews should be vegetarians, or even vegans. In the spirit
of this debate, I have imagined a dialogue as a means of encouraging
readers to conduct such debates with local rabbis, educators, and other
Jewish leaders. These are, of course, my own thoughts, and you are free
to adapt your own.
Scene: A Jewish vegan activist meets his or her rabbi in the latter’s office.
Jewish...
Eighteen Reasons Jews Think They Should Not Be Vegetarians or Vegans (and Why They Are Wrong)
Below are 18 reasons why many of my fellow Jews think they should not be vegetarian or vegan (henceforth veg*an) and my rebuttals to the reasons:
1) The Torah teaches that humans are granted dominion over animals ( Genesis 1:26 ), giving us a warrant to treat animals in any way we wish.
Response: Jewish tradition interprets “dominion” as responsible guardianship or stewardship: we are called upon to be co-workers with God in improving the world. Dominion does not mean...
Can We Avert a Climate Catastrophe?
The most critical issue facing the world today is the possibility of a climate catastrophe that threatens the viability of human civilization. This article discusses the seriousness of the threat s , why it is likely to become far more severe in the future, and what needs to be done to avert the looming catastrophe.
First, it is important to recognize the scientific consensus about climate change. Science academies worldwide, 97% of climate scientists, and virtually all the peer-reviewed...
Strategy ideas to get Veganism and related issues onto the agenda of the upcoming climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland
Strategy ideas to get Veganism and related issues onto the agenda of the upcoming climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland
I think it is urgent that shifts toward vegan diets as a way to reduce climate threats be on the UN Glasgow Climate Conference agenda, as part of efforts to make the conference a turning point in efforts to avert a climate catastrophe.
As stressed in the recently published book, “Food Is Climate Change,” the best and arguably the only way...My review of “Food Is Climate” By Glen Merzer, published in the October 11 Jerusalem Report
Can a Climate Catastrophe Be Prevented?
Food is Climate: A Response To Al Gore, Bill Gates, Paul Hawken, and the Conventional Narrative On Climate Change
Glen Merzer
ISBN: 9798507729623
Vivid Thoughts Press
2021; $10.95; Kindle copy, $5.95
Reviewed by Richard H. Schwartz
Every once in a while there is a book, such as Silent Spring , by Rachel Carson, Diet For a New America by John Robbins, and Diet For a Small Planet by...
Shanah Tovah
by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen
STOP!
Such we are commanded each week.
~
Stop taking from the land!
Such we are commanded each seventh year.
~
Why bother stopping?
Perhaps to see.
Perhaps to notice.
Perhaps to discover if we care.
Stopping draws us in.
Opens us to new life.
Deepens us to death
Reveals to us G!dness.
Brings us home.
Shanah tovah!
Rabbi Katy Allen is the founder and rabbi of Ma'yan Tikvah - A Wellspring of Hope , which...
Five articles related to the Jewish fall holidays
by Richard Schwartz
See below for the five op-ed articles related to the Fall Jewish holidays:
- Should Jews Become Vegetarians or Vegans at Rosh Hashanah?
- Rosh Hashanah Message: Is God’s “Very Good” World Now Approaching An Unprecedented Catastrophe?
- Why Perform a Rite That Kills Chickens as a Way to Seek God’s Compassion?
- Yom Kippur and Vegetarianism and Veganism
- Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah and the connection to Vegetarianism and veganism
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Should Jews Become Vegetarians or Vegans at...
Earth Etude for Elul 29: At the Hoh~A Rainforest in the Pacific Northwest
by Thea Iberall
The Amazon Rainforest is the most biodiverse region on Earth and provides shelter to three million species of plants and animals. Billions of trees absorb tons of carbon dioxide every year and produce 20% of earth’s oxygen. It’s been called the Lungs of the Earth.
But I read something most disturbing . The Amazon rainforest is now emitting about a billion tons of carbon dioxide a year. From its role...
Earth Etude for Elul 28: The Falls and the Pebbles
by Rabbi Michael Birnholz
It's not novel or unique. Judaism is built on riding the energy of oscillations between values and experiences. From every day to holiness or transcendence/ ein sof to shechinah/immanence or sadness/ tsuris to joy/ simcha , we flow from one state of being or perspective, generating energy as we move. One of these oscillations takes us from the big picture to the small detail and back again. We each have illustrations of this very motion, experiencing...
Earth Etude for Elul 27: At the Edge of the Sea
by Rabbi Louis Polisson
( Hebrew translation is after the English)
At the edge of the sea
On the sand, on the stones, on the shells
I stand
In prayer
But where should I look
What am I supposed to see
~
I want to contemplate
The sea
The reflections of the sun in her waves
Illuminate and entice my eyes
_
But the obligation of the East
Onward, eastward
Arises in my mind
And draws me
To turn away...
Earth Etude for Elul 26: The Teshuvah I Seek
by Maggid David Arfa
A verot - Transgressions committed under duress, with the awareness that the act is a transgression. Distinguished from those transgressions committed without awareness ( chayt ) or those committed in willful rebellion ( p’sha’eem ). -- Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi 1
Moral Injury - In the complex social arenas of daily living, we make constant trade-offs between what we think is best and what we actually do. The gap that arises in this territory is a form...
Earth Etude for Elul 25: Navel of the Earth
by Rabbi Ariel Wolpe
Midrash Tanhuma teaches that when the Holy One began to create the world, the Holy One did so as a child grows within the mother. Just as an embryo begins as a small cell and then expands in all directions, so too the world was created from a single point—from even shtiya , the foundation or “drinking” stone. This stone is the navel of the earth, nourishing us and connecting us to the Divine Mother.
According to...
Earth Etude for Elul 24: Harachaman for Shmita
by Rabbi David Seidenberg
As we approach Rosh Hashanah, we are also fast approaching the next Shmita year, when all the land in Israel was supposed to rest, all debts were supposed to be canceled, and all food was to be shared, even with the wild animals. Just like Elul through the High Holidays, the Shmita year itself was a long journey of t’shuvah , returning to God, during which our sense of business-as-usual could fall away, revealing what it...
Earth Etude for Elul 23: Teshuvah and Water
by Rabbi Steven Rubenstein
~Teshuvah is reflected in the power to change
And the waters that cleanse our souls.
Rabbi Steven Rubenstein recently celebrated his 25th anniversary since his ordination from the Academy for Jewish Religion. In that time he served congregations in San Francisco, CA, El Paso, TX, and Beverly, MA. In addition, he has served as Director of Spiritual Care at Shalom Park in Denver, CO and currently is performing a similar role at Jewish Senior Life in Rochester, NY. ...
Earth Etude for Elul 22: Healing in Nature and Helping Nature Heal
by Joan Rachlin
It has been just over 17 months since my husband suffered a stroke. It wasn’t just our lives that changed that day, though, as March 11, 2020 was also the day that Boston went into lockdown in an effort to stem the spread of Covid-19. We therefore found ourselves living in a bubble within a bubble and rehab services were consequently hard to find. All of the outpatient clinics were closed and home care was limited. In...
Earth Etude for Elul 21: Tikkun Olam and Climate Change
by Michael Garry
Tikkun olam , which in Hebrew means “repair of the world,” has always been a guiding principle of the Jewish people, one that we teach our children and try to practice in our everyday lives. In the modern era, tikkun olam means that Jews bear responsibility not only for their own moral, spiritual, and material welfare, but also for the welfare of society at large.
It is well known that the welfare of the planet is now threatened...
Earth Etude for Elul 20: Rolling
by Carol Reiman
Scroll turners, wooden handles, trees of life, our thumbs evolved, rolled down from years to screens;
Leading us through dry sands, streams, times of manna, now of drought;
Fires of the burning bush, now woods flaming by dream homes;
Wanderers yearning for place,
kinship of community, ability to thrive;
Where do we take our strength?
When do we listen to the land, to those who warn us of what comes?
Are we as sturdy as our hopes,...
Earth Etude for Elul 19: It’s All About the Soil
by Rabbi Robin Damsky
“It’s All About the Soil.” So reads the headline for a website discussing regenerative agriculture.
I’m torn between fear and possibility. Evidence of climate change worsens every place we breathe. I read several summaries of the most recent UN report on the climate crisis in which Antonio Guterres declares a “code red for humanity.”
Yikes.
I’ve always believed we have the power to heal our planet. I still do. But the window of opportunity is getting...
Earth Etude for Elul 18: Perfection
by Rabbi Katy Allen
Perfection.
I've been thinking about it a lot.
Intellectually, I know I can't be perfect. Inside me, in hidden spaces, I feel like I'm not supposed to make mistakes. Which would, of course, mean seeking perfection.
Perfection is supposed to belong only to G!d, though I'm not sure I know what that means. Sometimes, when I'm able embrace my humanness, it's incredibly freeing to acknowledge that I don't have to be perfect. But I also realize...
My strategy ideas to help get veganism and environmental sustainability onto Judaism’s agenda and society’s agenda/Suggestions are very welcome
Victor Hugo famously said, “Nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come.” Well, there is increasing evidence that the time has come to get veganism onto the Jewish agenda and, indeed, onto society’s agenda, in order to avert a climate catastrophe and help shift our imperiled planet onto a sustainable path. Here are some reasons why this is so:
1. Our arguments are irrefutable. The most recent evidence of this is that my article, Why Jews Should...
Earth Etude for Elul 17: The Birds
by Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein
“Return again. Return again.
Return to the land of our soul.” [1]
The liturgy sings.
I hear it in my head.
This is the season of returning.
~
It’s quiet here.
~
A steaming cup of coffee,
Billowing clouds of whipped cream.
We thought it would be different by now.
Stay at home. Wear a mask. Wash your hands.
No guests for Shabbat dinner.
~
Inside,
~
It’s quiet. So very quiet.
Too quiet.
And...
Earth Etude for Elul 16: Lessons Learned from my Garden
by Maxine Lyons
Reflecting on my connection to t’shuvah means returning more mindfully to positive words and actions and performing mitzvot - commandments. T’shuvah also includes recognizing our connection to the earth, and for me, learning what my garden has to teach me. In a short book, Don't Throw in the Trowel , the author quips, "a garden is a sublime lesson in the unity of humans and nature.” A good garden to me is one that is well planned and cared...
Earth Etude for Elul 15: Counting to the Next Shmita Year
by David Krantz
Among our more under-appreciated traits, we Jews are counters. We count for a prayer quorum, we count the omer , we count the days of the months to know when our holidays are. We might know the days of the week by their names – Sunday, Monday — but in Hebrew they are Yom Rishon, the First Day, and Yom Sheni, the second day. And before borrowing their current names from the Babylonian calendar, the Jewish months...
Earth Etude for Elul 14: Turkey Tails and Teshuvah
by Rabbi Marisa Elana James
In the park near my house is a large tree that fell last winter, the trunk slowly falling into decay thanks to four seasons of sun and rain and snow and wind slowly transitioning it back to the soil. When I pass it on walks, I always stop to see what’s new on the slowly-rotting trunk, because I’ve learned that it’s just as beautiful as the living, flowering trees that surround it.
Mushrooms can grow...
Earth Etude for Elul 12~Shmita: The Seven Year Switch
by Mirele B. Goldsmith
This Rosh HaShanah is also the start of the Shmita , the Sabbatical Year. The Torah’s Shmita focuses on land as the nexus of our relationship to Earth and demands that we let it rest from the damage caused by agriculture. To ensure that everyone can participate, all debts are released. During the Shmita year the produce of the land is shared so that everyone has what they need to survive. Today, Earth is threatened by...
Earth Etude for Elul 7: Trees from my travels spell hope for civilization
by Susie Davidson
- Desert trees in Los Cerillos, New Mexico
- Trees by the Mississippi River in Burlington Iowa
- Trees with a red bush accent in Yorba Linda, California
- Trees on a red rock in the American Southwest
When people admire my frequent traveling, I always say yes, but it's budget travel. "But that's the best way to really see places," they usually respond.
It's true. Not only do I get to mingle with locals and walk all over, but on...
Earth Etude for Elul 5: Choosing Life as Nerds for the Earth
by Harvey Michaels
~Moses’ final message from G-d: This day…I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. For millennia we have reflected on what it means to choose life; realizing that it is not always our life we’re choosing – our choices are more about our children and theirs; our communities, and our world.
What does it mean to Choose Life for the Earth? In...
Earth Etude for Elul 4: A Letter to Mother Earth
by Rabbi Judy Schindler
Dear Mother Earth,
As we spiritually make our way through the month of Elul and approach the anniversary of your and our creation, you are in our prayers for healing.
An illness extends across the globe – COVID-19. We know that you can feel it. You wonder why people wear masks when the air should be so perfect to inhale.
You cringe that we have come to fear rains and their floods, winds and their consequent...
Earth Etude for Elul 3: Joining Fifty Years of Mystic River Watershed Environmental Advocacy
by Karen L. Grossman
In 2009 I was invited to get involved with the Mystic River Watershed Association, established in 1972 with a long, hard mission of environmental advocacy. As a board member for 10 years, I was able to admire how we partnered with other groups to champion environmental changes for MA, pursuing concerns with land use and transportation, involving the location of the Alewife Red Line Station, a highway building moratorium, the Amelia Earhart Dam completion,
Earth Etude for Elul 2: Where Heaven Is Here…
by Andy Oram
What is heaven? How does one earn the right to enter heaven? I speculated on these questions by examining the Hebrew word for heaven, which is "shama'im" (שָׁמַיִם). The word is somewhat odd because it's plural, as indicated by the "im" (ים) ending. Here is my parsing of the word.
If "shama'im" (שָׁמַיִם) is plural, what's the singular? Take off the plural ending, and the singular appears to be simply "sham" (שָׁמ), which is Hebrew for "there."...
Earth Etude for Elul 1: An Etude is…
by Enid C. Lader
To listen to the Etude:
An etude is a short musical composition,
typically for one instrument,
designed as an exercise
to improve the technique
of the player.
Is it finger dexterity?
Bowing alacrity?
Air control?
Rhythmic concentration?
~
Standing beneath a canopy of trees
I hear the rhythm of their rustling leaves
I feel the heavenly breath of the breeze,
A breath so controlled...
Elul Is Coming and So Are the Etudes
by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen
We are rolling around to Elul now on the Jewish calendar. It feels too soon, and yet, it also feels right on time.
Too soon, because Elul always comes too soon. I'm never really ready. And right on time, because it's impossible to be ready.
The clock ticks, the calendar days fly by, and IT arrives, whatever IT may be. A wedding, a birth, death, the start of a new school year, Shabbat, a difficult...
An upcoming Zoom event that will help promote veganism.
Please share widely.
The Compassion Consortium is proud to feature the free Jewish Veg documentary A Sacred Duty: Applying Jewish Values to Help Heal the World, and Dr. Richard Schwartz’s new book Vegan Revolution: Saving Our World, Revitalizing Judaism, for your consideration. So, check out the film (links below) and read the book.
Then join us at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on August 15, 2021 via Zoom as Dr. Schwartz and Lionel Friedberg, the film’s writers and producers, discuss the...
Invitation to three Zoom events about restoring and transforming the ancient Jewish New Year for Animals
Shalom,
You are cordially invited to attend any or all of three Zoom events that will consider restoring the ancient Jewish New Year for Animals and transforming it into a day devoted to increasing awareness of Jewish teachings about compassion for animals and how far current realities for animals are from these teachings.
The teach-ins will consider how animal-based diets and agriculture seriously violate basic Jewish teachings about preserving human health, treating animals with compassion, protecting...
Plans for activities for restoring the ancient Jewish New Year for Animals and transforming it into a day devoted to improving conditions for animals.
I am working with other Jewish veg activists to organize many events in an 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. The events will also consider how animal-based diets and agriculture seriously violate basic Jewish teachings about preserving human health, treating animals with compassion, protecting the...
My cover story in the August 9, 2021 Jerusalem Report on “Why Jews Should be Vegans”
https://www.jpost.com/jerusalem-report/heres-why-jews-should-be-vegans-675135
Since you may not be able toopen the link because you are not a Jerusalem Report subscriber, I have pasted the article below.
Why Jews Should Be Vegans
Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D
I am proud to live in Israel, the eternal home of the Jewish people and arguably the vegan capital...
My letter in the July 28, 2021 Jerusalem Post on climate threats
Whither the weather?
Kol hakavod for your editorial “ A bigger step needed ” (July 27), which cogently argued that “Israel should step up its game” in responding to climate change.
Your article “Summer of disaster: Extreme weather wreaks havoc worldwide as climate change bears down,” (July 25) should convince everyone that the world is already suffering greatly from climate change. It seems like there are almost daily reports of severe heat waves, droughts, wildfires, storms, floods and other...
My Draft of a Haggadah for a Restored and Transformed New Year For Animals Event
Shalom,
Below is my very preliminary draft for a Haggadah’ for a future ‘Seder’ for a renewed and transformed New Year for Animals.
It is presented mainly to get people thinking about possibilities for future observances of the restored ancient Jewish holiday. We may end up with an approach or approaches very different from the one I am suggesting in this draft. And that would be fine with me.
I would very much welcome your input on this and suggestions...
Jewish Quotations About Animals and How Animals Are Treated Today
Jewish Quotations About Animals and How Animals Are Treated Today
A. Attitude Toward Animals
1. “A righteous person regards the life of his or her animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” ~ Proverbs 12:10
2. The Lord is good to all and His tender mercies are over all His creatures.” ~ Psalms 145:9
3. The tzaddik (righteous person) acts according to the laws of justice; not only does he act according to these laws...
3rd Jewish Climate Action Conference:
"Everything is Connected"
by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen
The JCAN-MA for the 3rd Jewish Climate Action Conference: Everything is Connected occurred April 25, 2021. Over 550 people attended. The 40 sessions focused on carbon reduction, advocacy, spiritual resilience, soil and agriculture, raised up the voices of youth, and addressed environmental justice. The day-long event was geared toward action solutions and strengthening the national Jewish climate action network. Opportunities are still available for connecting with other climate activists in your geographic region or...
Four-page review of my latest book, VEGAN REVOLUTION: SAVING OUR WORLD, REVITALIZING JUDAISM, in the semi-annual journal of the Central Conference of American rabbis (CCAR), a publication that goes to US reform rabbis
The Vegan Revolution
by Richard Schwartz
(Brooklyn, NY: Lantern Publishing and Media, 2020), 272 pp.
I’ve been a vegetarian for forty years. Inspired by a college boyfriend,
I then fully committed to it the year I was at HUC-JIRJerusalem,
walking down the meat aisle of the Old City Shuk with
its hanging animal carcasses. I married a man who was already a
vegetarian (thank goodness no “training” required!) and we raised
three vegetarian children who now, as adults, have all...
Honors thesis on the beginnings of Jewish environmental and vegetarian activism in the 1970s and 1980s
Renewing and Recycling:
The Formation of American Jewish Environmentalism
in the 1970s and 1980s
Gabrielle Plotkin
Advisor:
Keith Woodhouse
B.A. Thesis for Honors in History
Northwestern University
May 3, 2021
ii
Abstract
Few environmental historians have considered how American Jews interacted with the
postwar environmental movement. Those that have, often characterize American Jews as
“urban” and separate from nature. However, I demonstrate that American Jewry’s involvement
in left-leaning politics and inclination to both assimilate and remain committed to Judaism
primed...
Video of amazing Earth Day teach-in that involved talks by 22 fabulous speakers
Earth Day teach-in I aranged (on Earth Day, April 22, 2021), which involved 22 fabulous speakers .
The theme was "Applying Religiouis Values To Help Save the World."
Here is the list of speakers the order of their appearance.
Richard Schwartz : President emeritus of Jewish Veg and author of
“Judaism and Vegetarianism”and “Vegan Revolution”
Rev. Fletcher Harper: Founder and director of GreenFaith, a
national interfaith environmental coalition.
Rabbi David...
Three Shavuot Articles Related To Vegetarianism and Veganism
Below are three Shavuot-related articles. They are:
1. A Shavuot Message: Time to Apply Torah Values To Our Diets
2. Dialogue on Shavuot Night About Veganism
3. Shavuot and Vegetarianism and Veganism
=============
A Shavuot Message: Time to Apply Torah Values To Our Diets
Shavuot is "z'man matan Torateinu,” the time of the giving of the Torah to the Israelites on Mount Sinai. To honor the Torah, many dedicated religious Jews admirably stay up the entire first night of Shavuot...
Unique, potentially transformative Earth Day zoom event scheduled
In commemoration of the 51st Earth Day on Thursday, April 22, there will be a zoom teach-in, with the theme, “Applying Jewish and Other Religion’s Values to Help Save the World.”
The teach-in aims to increase awareness of the seriousness of climate and other environmental threats, and the urgency of applying religious Values to help shift our imperiled planet onto a sustainable path. It also aims to initiate the creation of a coalition of veg, animal rights, environmental, and other...
Rainbow Day is May 8-9 in 2021, the week following Shabbat Behar-Bechukotai!
On the 27th day of the second month, Noah, his family, and all the animals that were with...Jewish quotations about animals
| 1. God’s original dietary law And God said: "Behold, I have given you every herb-yielding seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree that has seed-yielding fruit - to you it shall be for food." Genesis 1:29 God did not permit Adam and his wife to kill a creature to eat its flesh. Only every green herb shall they all eat together. Rashi’s commentary on Genesis 1:29 You are permitted to use the animals and... |
1,600 word excerpt from my book, VEGAN REVOLUTION, SAVING OUR WORLD, REVITALIZING JUDAISM
LIVING AS A JEWISH VEGAN
In this book, I have attempted to present evidence that the world is in the throes of a climate catastrophe. Selfreinforcing positive feedback loops (vicious cycles) are moving the climate system toward irreversible tipping points. If we fail to act rapidly and decisively, these will bring massive climate disruptions, with calamitous results for all life on Earth.
Because animal agriculture is a major cause of global warming, a shift toward veganism is key to the...
My review of Eco Bible, edited by Rabbis Yonatan Neril and Leo Dee
Relating Biblical Teachings to Current Environmental Threats
Eco Bible: Volume 1: An Ecological Commentary on Genesis and Exodus
Editors and lead contributors: Rabbi Yonatan Neril and Rabbi Leo Dee
Publisher: The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development
No price indicate
As one who has long been advocating that Jewish values be applied in efforts to resolve current critical threats, I eagerly anticipated reading Eco Bible: Volume One: An Ecological Commentary on Genesis and Exodus ....
My three Passover related articles
The titles of the articles are:
- Freeing Ourselves at Passover From Diets That Hurt Us and the Planet
2. Applying Passover Messages Can Help Heal Our Imperiled Planet
3. Passover and Vegetarianism or Veganism
=============
Freeing Ourselves at Passover From Diets That Hurt Us and the Planet
Jews commendably go to extraordinary lengths before and during Passover to avoid certain foods, in keeping with Torah mitzvot. But at the same time, many continue eating other foods that, by Torah standards,...
Latest Review of My Newest Book, VEGAN REVOLUTION: SAVING OUR WORLD, REVITALIZING JUDAISM
Richard H. Schwartz, Vegan Revolution: Saving Our World, Revitalizing
Judaism. Brooklyn, NY: Lantern Publishing, 2020. xxxiv +230 pages.
$20.00 softcover.
This review appeared in the March/April online Quaker Publication, "Peaceable Table."
This is now one of the basic books on veganism and Judaism for the
general reader. With the passion of a convert--Schwartz became
vegetarian Jan. 1 1978 at the age of 41 and vegan in 2000--the author
presents a convincing case for Jewish observance of a plant-based
diet.
Along...
Complete text of my latest book, VEGAN REVOLUTION: SAVING OUR WORLD, REVITALIZING JUDAISM
“I consider it an honor and a mitzvah to commend Professor Richard Schwartz’s work and all his endeavors to bring Jewish teachings on diet, health, the environment, and related issues to public attention, especially to those of us who seek to lead a religiously observant lifestyle, in keeping with the precepts and goals of the Torah. May his efforts merit Divine blessing and success.”—Rabbi David Rosen, Former Chief Rabbi of Ireland; President for Israel of the International Jewish Vegetarian Society...
Hazon announces Shmita prizes
| View this email in your browser |
| March 4th, 2021 | 20th Adar Dear Richard,(If you want to go straight to info on The Shmita Prizes - click here .) But first, I want to put these prizes in context, beginning with a word about shabbat , shmita’s temporal Jewish sibling. The world needs shabbat right now. We need boundaries. We need rest. We need time when we switch off electronics. We need at least one day that we don’t buy stuff. We... |
Applying Jewish Values To Help Heal the World: Review of Rabbi Arthur Waskow’s book, “Dancing in God’s Earthquake”
Dancing in God’s Earthquake: The Coming Transformation of Religion
Rabbi Arthur Ocean Waskow
Orbis Books, 2020
US $25
I looked forward eagerly to reading Rabbi Arthur Ocean Waskow’s latest book, Dancing in God’s Earthquake , for two reasons. First, as one who has long argued that Jews should be doing far more to apply Jewish teachings in response to current environmental and other threats, I was intrigued by the book’s subtitle, “The...
Request That People Share PDFs of My Latest Book, VEGAN REVOLUTION: SAVING OUR WORLD, REVITALIZING JUDAISM With Many of Their Contacts
Shalom
Please do me a big, important favor that would take you just a few minutes, cost you nothing, and have a potentially transformative positive impact on our imperiled planet/MANY thanks/KOL tuv/Richard (schwartz)
Please forward the PDFs of the complete text and the cover picture of my latest book, VEGAN REVOLUTION: SAVING OUR WORLD, REVITALIZING JUDAISM, to all your contacts, or at least those you think would be interested in it, perhaps along with this message. [You can get the...
Purim and Veganism (followed by my Purimshpiel)
Purim and Veganism
The joyous festival of Purim shares many connections with veganism.
According to the Talmud (Megilla 13a), Queen Esther, the heroine of the
Purim story, was a vegetarian while she lived in the palace of King
Achashverosh. She was thus able to avoid violating the kosher dietary laws
while keeping her Jewish identity secret.
During Purim it is a mitzvah to give mat’not evyonim (added charity
to poor and hungry people). In...
Supporting statements about my latest book, VEGAN REVOLUTION: SAVING OUR WORLD, REVITALIZING JUDAISM
“I consider it an honor and a mitzvah to commend Professor Richard Schwartz’s work and all his endeavors to bring Jewish teachings on diet, health, the environment, and related issues to public attention, especially to those of us who seek to lead a religiously observant lifestyle, in keeping with the precepts and goals of the Torah. May his efforts merit Divine blessing and success.”— Rabbi David Rosen , Former Chief Rabbi of Ireland; President for Israel of the International Jewish...
Tu Bishvat Tu Tu Tu Tu with Ms. Eve baby shark tune !
Join Ms. Eve 🌟 and let's get ready to celebrate Tu BiShvat 🍃🌳🌺 singing and moving to the tune of baby shark in English, Hebrew, and Spanish!
Únete a Ms. Eve y recibe Tu BiShvat 🌱🌲🌻 cantando en español, hebreo e inglés!
A “Green Sabbath Project” aiming to combat climate threats
A message from Jonathan Schorsch :
Dear Friend,
I would like to introduce you to my initiative, the Green Sabbath Project ( www.greensabbathproject.net ). In brief, the Green Sabbath Project sees a weekly green sabbath or earth day as a day on which we strive to minimize our environmental impact as much as possible -- leaving things alone, “doing nothing” -- based on the biblical command to “do no work of any kind,” which was elaborated in the rabbinic concept...
