Focus Areas > Social Justice > Jewish Environmental (JEI)
Jewish Environmental Initiative (JEI)
NEXT MEETING IS THURSDAY, JUNE 18TH FROM
11:00 A M TO 12:30 PM
As Jews, we are commanded to preserve and restore God’s wondrous creation - the Earth! The Biblical injunction, b’al tashhit, is a prohibition against wasting resources. The concept of tikkun olam mandates that we repair the world.
"Do not destroy and desolate My world, for if you corrupt it, there is no one to set it right after you."
Midrash Ecclesiates Rabbah 7:13
CANDIDATE FORUM ON THE ENVIRONMENT
More than 125 area residents attended the first ever "Candidate Forum on the Environment" to hear the environmental viewpoints of 18 area office seekers. The Forum, held last night in St. Louis , provided an opportunity for candidates to present their positions on environmental issues and respond to questions from the audience.
Candidates were asked to share what they considered the biggest environmental challenge facing Missouri today. In follow-up questions, they also expressed concerns about Missouri's leadership on global warming; the need for energy efficiency programs and clean, safe, renewable energy; growing Missouri's green energy economy through investment in research and its manufacturing sector; the public health impacts of excessive pollution; poor air quality in urban areas; the need to protect the safety of food and water supplies; and education to meet the environmental and economic challenges.
“We are very pleased that so many candidates and members of the public attended this first ever St. Louis area-wide candidate forum on the environment,” said Gail Wechsler of the JCRC’s Jewish Environmental Initiative, one of the organizations presenting the event. “This is a testament to the importance that environmental issues hold in the eyes of both those running for office and those in the general community.”
Teri Miller, a member of the audience, said, “I thought it was very well organized. I was pleased to see that the candidates there were concerned about protecting the environment the same way I am.”
Candidate Jill Schupp said she was glad to know that people are really engaged on the environment. "The questions raised [by audience members] help us learn more about what people care about,"' Schupp said. "So much depends upon our will to make change and about the importance of education [on this topic].”
The Forum, held at Central Reform Congregation in St. Louis , was moderated by Jean Ponzi, community environmental educator and host of FM-88 KDHX “Earthworms” environmental talk show. It was presented by: the Jewish Environmental Initiative (a committee of the Jewish Community Relations Council), Missouri Coalition for the Environment, Missouri Votes Conservation Education Fund, and Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice. Additional co-sponsors included Central Reform Congregation, Ethical Society of St. Louis, First United Methodist Church of Webster Groves, KDHX Community Media, and St. Louis Audubon Society.
See the video of the candidate forum at ... http://www.kdhx.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6815&Itemid=345
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Top Left:
Congressman Russ Carnahan
Top Right: MO House Candidate Randy Jotte
(R)--running in District 91
Bottom Left: MO House Candidate Vicki Englund (D)--running in District 85 |
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Project Noah: A week for the Environment - October 26-November 1
Climate change continues to threaten to irreparably alter our planet, undermining the core Jewish value of providing for future generations and tending to the Earth. During the week of October 26, area congregations and day schools engaged in activities related to the environment. On October 29, JEI organized a group to tour the Alberici Building, a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified Platinum building (the most "green" rating possible). Participants heard a presentation from Christy Cunningham-Saylor about the construction and design of Alberici and toured its indoor and outdoor grounds, learning more how it was designed to use natural lighting, renewable energy sources (including on-site wind and solar power) and innovative water-saving measures. Every aspect of the building and the grounds, from the heating and cooling systems to the garage and landscaping, was designed with the environment in mind.
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JEI Chair, Rabbi Randy Fleisher (right) at Alberci Headquarters, the site of this year's community event for Project Noah |
Community Resources for Project Noah—There are many ways that synagogues, day schools and others in the Jewish community can do more to protect the environment. Below are materials that offer a variety of ways you can increase your awareness and act to better protect the planet:
Eco-Friendly Educational Ideas for All Ages
Green Tsuvah Survey for Teens
Tips for an Eco-Friendly Simcha
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Links
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Contact Us
For more information contact Gail Wechsler (314) 442-3894 or gwechsler@jcrcstl.org
