Judaism and Global Survival: Urgent Action Needed to Protect the Planet, Says Jewish Vegetarian Advocate
In a recent dialogue between Professor Richard Schwartz, President Emeritus of Jewish Vegetarians of North America (Jewish Veg), and Dr. Irene Lancaster, Chair of the Broughton Park Jewish Christian Dialogue Group and author of Deconstructing the Bible, they discussed the pressing need for urgent action to protect the planet. Richard Schwartz, who is known for promoting the humane treatment of animals and advocating for social justice, emphasized that the books of the Torah are not mere words but calls to action. He highlighted the importance of religious people getting involved in addressing the challenges facing our planet today.
The 20th-anniversary edition of Schwartz’s book, Judaism and Global Survival, received acclaim from notable individuals such as Susannah Heschel, daughter of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, and Martin Luther King, who considered Heschel a great influence in his life. Heschel and Martin Luther King marched together for justice, with Heschel famously proclaiming that his legs were praying during the historic Selma to Montgomery march. The African American community drew inspiration from Heschel’s emphasis on solidarity and protest as forms of prayer.
The book and Schwartz’s message highlight Judaism’s advocacy for caring for the entire planet. The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Williams of Oystermouth, praised Schwartz’s recent dvar Torah (sermon) on this subject, citing his own involvement in an environmental campaign to protect the polluted Wye River in the UK. The pollution, which includes contaminants from battery chicken farming, aligns with Schwartz’s message of justice for both humans and the planet.
Schwartz’s book also garnered support from Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen, the late Chief Rabbi of Haifa and President of the Israel Vegetarian and Vegan Society. In a video called A Sacred Duty: Applying Jewish Values to Help Heal the World, Chief Rabbi Cohen attributed his youthful appearance and good health to his parents’ strictly vegetarian diet, which he maintained throughout his life. Schwartz and Cohen share the belief that justice for animals and the environment is inherent in Jewish teachings.
The dialogue between Schwartz and Lancaster also touched on their opposition to the proposed Holocaust Memorial adjacent to the British Parliament in Victoria Tower Gardens, London. They considered it a desecration of an important park and a disservice to the memory of the abolitionists, as well as a threat to the environment. Holocaust survivors and their families have joined their voices in opposition to the project.
In conclusion, Richard Schwartz’s book serves as a call to action for people of faith to protect the planet and promote social justice. With endorsements from influential figures like Heschel and recognition from individuals dedicated to environmental causes, Schwartz’s message resonates across different communities. By emphasizing the values of compassion and kindness towards animals and the environment, he aims to mobilize religious communities around the world to address the urgent issues facing our planet.
