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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.
For general background on Jewish
beliefs and practices, visit MyJewishLearning.com, a transdenominational
website of Jewish information and education geared
toward learners of all ages and educational backgrounds.
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