Jewish environmental engagement is characterized by a consciousness of the universal human responsibility to care for creation, on the one hand, and on the other, the distinctive ways that the Jewish people have embodied their sense of a special relationship to the Creator of heaven and earth.

Central to that relationship is the divine gift of the Torah, which refers both to the first five books of the Bible as the “written Torah,” and to the whole body of divine wisdom and law, written and unwritten, that has been handed down from generation to generation. Through centuries, even millennia, Jewish faith has expressed itself in a dynamic process of interpretation and debate as rabbis (teachers) have reflected deeply on the Torah in order to discern how the community should follow its precepts in changing historical circumstances.

The rich variety of ways that Jews today have found to weave care and appreciation for creation into the religious life of families and individuals, congregations and communities, is a continuation of this process. Whether in worship, service projects, educational programs, advocacy, or the design and operation of their facilities, they have found fresh and lively ways to bring to light the environmental significance of traditional Jewish teachings, celebrations, and practices. Serious and careful study of both Torah and the world environmental situation has informed the statements issued by responsible Jewish leaders and organizations and the work of Jewish scholars.

Playing a key role in stimulating and supporting environmental work in the Jewish community is COEJL, the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life. The COEJL website provides abundant resources for learning, worship and action that can be used across the whole range of Jewish audiences and settings — many of which can be adapted for use in other faith communities as well.