Seeking Forgiveness for Our Transgressions
Top of the Crop
The High Holy Days and Yom Kippur are upon us. And with them comes a time for introspection and a time to seek forgiveness for our transgressions from the people in our lives, and perhaps more importantly from God. It is well known that we humans have caused much destruction to God’s Creation. From mountaintop removal, to the dumping of toxins in our rivers and oceans, to the tremendous overuse of carbon-based fossil fuels polluting our seas and skies, we have done much to harm and little to help Creation as a species. And along with these harmful actions we are now heating up the planet and beginning to witness disastrous results as the floods in Pakistan and fires in Russia exemplify. As Jews we need to think about ways in which we can change this dilemma. In fact we are obligated to follow the principle of bal tashchit, do not destroy (Deuteronomy 20:19) and instead to till and to tend the land as its protector. In his article Jews, Jewish Texts, and Nature: A Brief History, Rabbi Daniel Swartz quotes the following from the Torah: “When Noah came out of the ark, he opened his eyes and saw the whole world completely destroyed. He began crying for the world and said, God, how could you have done this? … God replied, Oh Noah, how different you are from the way Abraham … will be. He will argue with me on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah when I tell him that I plan their destruction… But you, Noah, when I told you I would destroy the entire world, I lingered and delayed, so that you would speak on behalf of the world. But when you knew you would be safe in the ark, the evil of the world did not touch you. You thought of no one but your family. And now you complain? Then Noah knew that he had sinned (Midrash Tankhuma, Parashat Noach).”
As we consider our own actions we too can consider the errors of our ways and seek means to correct our path. We can support efforts to reduce our use of energy in all its forms. We can push our government to build alternative-energy infrastructure and stop using fossil fuels to light, heat, and transport us in our daily lives. We can upgrade and build sustainable buildings and cities that are self sufficient in every way. We can help support emotionally, physically, and financially those people and nations who will suffer the most as the climate changes. And finally, we can reach out to those same souls and ask their forgiveness for our transgressions. Go to www.coejl.org/covenant and take the pledge to do your part. G’mar Chatima Tova.
Word on the Hill
Democrats in the Senate Seek Action on Energy Measures
Though their time may be limited due to other priorities before the November elections, the Senate may consider measures on U.S. EPA climate rules, power plant pollution curbs and energy tax incentives. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) last week acknowledged that the Senate’s chances of passing sweeping or even scaled-back climate legislation this year are slim to none, but he held out hopes for moving forward on a slimmed-down energy package soon or perhaps in a post-election lame-duck session. Reid suggested last week that a narrow energy bill could see floor action before the election. “I think we should take a run at it,” he said during a clean energy meeting in Las Vegas. “Even Washington is ready for that, so I’m going to try.” (NY Times)
The EPA is Authorized to Regulate Greenhouse Gasses, but Some in Congress Wish to Slow it Down
In the absence of comprehensive energy and climate policy, it falls on the EPA and President Obama’s administration to curb carbon emissions by implementing the Clean Air Act. Now that the Senate has returned from recess, those opposed to greenhouse gas regulation, are seeking to strip or delay the EPA’s ability. But EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson sent a warning shot to Congress that any efforts to remove authority from the EPA would be vetoed by the President. “The President and the White House have been clear that they would veto any attempt to take away authority here,” Jackson said. COEJL has been outspoken in its position against the “Dirty Air Resolution” and other attempts at banning EPA regulation of the Clean Air Act. (NRDC Switchboard), (Bloomberg Businessweek)
White House says “No” to Carter’s Solar Panels
Bill McKibben, the founder of 350.org, led a group of environmental activists to Washington in a bio-diesel van hoping to persuade President Obama to re-install a set of solar panels originally put up by then President Jimmy Carter in the late 1970s. But the recent initiative ended in disappointment when the White House declined to accept the panels last Friday. (The Guardian UK) The panels had been stored at Unity College in Maine where COEJL board member Mitch Thomashow presides as president. Read more at Unity College’s website on this story: (Unity College)
Community News and Views
Shabbat Noach Resource Guide from the Green Chevre
COEJL and the Green Chevre network that includes, among others: Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Canfei Nesharim, Hazon, the Shalom Center, and the JRF and the Reconstructionist Movement, have combined their efforts to compile a resource guide around Shabbat Noach.
Go to Shabbat Noach to learn more and share it with your community.
Upcoming Webinar on “The Story of Noah and its Relationship to Climate Change.”
By focusing on the Torah portion and story of Noah as a parable, we will seek to reach out to Jews about how we can be active as a community in responding to climate change by having an engaging discussion on the issues with experts on climate policy and science, as well as Jewish life. This webinar is part of a broader series of events leading up to the Jewish reading of the Torah portion of Noah on October 9th and the secular www.350.org global day of action on October 10th. It is one of numerous programs being conducted by diverse Jewish groups with different types of audiences in mind during the same time period. The webinar will be open to the general public but focused on the Jewish communities and their leadership. Flag the date October 7th at 10:30 AM EST (subject to change) Check back soon for details.
Green Israel Summit 4: Green Renewal Shabbat!
When: Shabbat Noach, Oct. 8 — 10, 2010
Where: Eden Village Camp, just north of New York City
Who: Young Jewish environmentalists, ages 18-40 *
As we read about the Biblical flood and the renewal of the earth on Shabbat Noach, we will learn how to renew ourselves and the environment. Celebrate Shabbat Noach with stories, lectures and discussions in a welcoming, pluralistic setting. Explore the Jewish back-to-the-land movement and what Zionism means today. Learn about energy conservation, population growth, suburban sprawl, Negev preservation, and environmentalism during a time of war. Meet other young Jewish environmentalists from across North America. Green Israel Summit (GIS) 4 is run by the Green Zionist Alliance and co-sponsored by COEJL, the American Zionist Movement and Hazon.
Arava Institute for Environmental Studies “With Earth and Each Other: A Virtual Rally for a Better Middle East,”
On November 14th, the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies based at Kibbutz Ketura (www.arava.org) is hosting “With Earth and Each Other: A Virtual Rally for a Better Middle East,” with top speakers and performers, celebrating AIES’s groundbreaking work and its larger commitment to both ecological and communal coexistence. Visit www.withearthandeachother.org for more information.
Boston COEJL Works with the Synagogue Council of Massachusetts to “Pledge to Green”
In conjunction with the Synagogue Council of Massachusetts, Boston COEJL has been conducting a “Pledge to Green” drive among state synagogues. Thus far, 29 synagogues have pledged with more expected. Those who have not yet pledged will be contacted after the holidays as the council is seeking 100% participation. Some of the tips recommended to the synagogues have been simple money saving green efforts such as the “three basics”: recycling, changing light bulbs to CFLs, and using power strips that you can plug everything into and shut off when leaving (these last two steps are guaranteed to cut your electric bill by half within the first month!). For more tips, please check out Boston COEJL’s Green Guide at http://bostoncoejl.org/rich_text_2.html.
Hazon Bike Ride
Hazon hosted the 10th Annual New York Jewish Environmental Bike Ride over Labor Day Weekend, September 3-6, 2010. The NY Ride Jewish Environmental Bike Ride was more than a ride on a bike – it was a four-day event that included a Shabbat retreat at Workmen’s Circle’s Camp Kinder Ring, and a trip to Camp Eden Village, the new Jewish environmental summer camp. More importantly, the event raised money for cutting-edge Jewish environmental projects in the United States and Israel. Learn more here. (Hazon)
