Speaking Out for Children's Health

The California Interfaith Partnership for Children's Health and the Environment, California
Interfaith, with Jewish participation

“Judaism affirms that the world is God’s creation and that whoever helps to preserve it is doing God’s work. We who inherit a tradition that is marked by a reverence for life must preserve the earth and all its varied life for our own sake and for generations yet unborn.”

Women of Reform Judaism quoted this statement from a 1983 United American Hebrew Congregations resolution in their own statement on Children’s Health and the Environment. These Jewish women have not only affirmed their commitment to the health and well being of all children and to a healthful environment, but they have joined with others to make children’s health a priority for environmental policy.

The California Interfaith Partnership for Children's Health and the Environment ("Interfaith Partnership") was started by a collaboration among Women of Reform Judaism, the National Council of Catholic Women, National Environmental Trust, and the National Religious Partnership for the Environment. The California Council of Churches, Orange County Interfaith Coalition for the Environment, and Presbyterians for Restoring Creation have subsequently joined. Staff members include its Director, Suellen Lowry, and the National Environmental Trust California organizer and Interfaith Partnership Public Policy Associate, Nick Guroff.

Work of the Interfaith Partnership focuses on public education presentations by a volunteer speakers bureau and support of public policy efforts. Since early 2002, the Interfaith Partnership has been made presentations at faith community gatherings across California: e.g., at luncheons, committee meetings, adult education hours, and conferences. Through these programs, people have an opportunity to learn more about connections between exposures to synthetic chemicals and children's health. These presentations also contain practical tips on how to protect children from exposures to harmful chemicals -- in homes, schools, and faith community facilities. In addition, the Interfaith Partnership urges policy makers to identify and reduce chemicals that pose the greatest threat to health.