Environmental Justice Work in the Jewish Community
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, and to the whole body of divine wisdom and law that has been handed down from generation to generation. Jews today have found a rich variety of ways to weave care and appreciation for Creation into the religious life of families and individuals, congregations and communities. Whether in worship, service projects, education programs, advocacy, or the design and operation of their facilities, they have found ways to bring to light the significance of traditional Jewish teachings, celebrations, and practices.
In recent decades, Jewish rabbis and scholars have shown that traditional Jewish teachings about God, humanity, and nature contain much wisdom that can inform a spiritual and ethical response to present-day environmental concerns, particularly the principles of tzedakah (justice) and tikkun olam (repairing the world). Serious and careful study of both Torah and the environmental situation has informed the statements issued by Jewish leaders and organizations and the work of Jewish scholars. In response, a variety of educational and worship resources and programs have been developed.
Playing a key role in stimulating and supporting environmental work in the Jewish community is the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL). As part of its mission, COEJL deepens and broadens the Jewish community's commitment to stewardship and protection of the Earth through outreach, activism, and Jewish learning. Through a network of Jewish leaders, institutions, COEJL is mobilizing the Jewish community to conserve energy, increase sustainability, and advocate for policies that increase energy efficiency and security while building core Jewish environmental knowledge and serving as a Jewish voice in the broader interfaith community.
In recent decades, Jewish rabbis and scholars have shown that traditional Jewish teachings about God, humanity, and nature contain much wisdom that can inform a spiritual and ethical response to present-day environmental concerns, particularly the principles of tzedakah (justice) and tikkun olam (repairing the world). Serious and careful study of both Torah and the environmental situation has informed the statements issued by Jewish leaders and organizations and the work of Jewish scholars. In response, a variety of educational and worship resources and programs have been developed.
Playing a key role in stimulating and supporting environmental work in the Jewish community is the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL). As part of its mission, COEJL deepens and broadens the Jewish community's commitment to stewardship and protection of the Earth through outreach, activism, and Jewish learning. Through a network of Jewish leaders, institutions, COEJL is mobilizing the Jewish community to conserve energy, increase sustainability, and advocate for policies that increase energy efficiency and security while building core Jewish environmental knowledge and serving as a Jewish voice in the broader interfaith community.
The Jewish community has issued various statements including A Jewish Response to the Environment (1992) Living in God's World (1995) and A Common Declaration on the Environment (1998). For additional statements visit the COEJL website.
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COEJL's Jewish Energy Guide presents a comprehensive Jewish approach to the challenges of energy security and climate change. The Guide offers a blueprint for the Jewish engagement on energy issues. For a copy of the Jewish Energy Guide, click here. For additional Jewish educational and worship resources click here.
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