News Highlights “Greening Judaism” Grant to Survey Eco Kashrut and Climate Science

The Miller Center for Interreligious Learning and Leadership at Hebrew College, in partnership with the ALEPH Ordination Program, have received a grant from the American Association for the Advancement of Science for a project to survey the state of science education and eco-theology in North American Jewish seminaries. Hebrew College joins a cohort of predominantly Christian seminaries to represent a uniquely Jewish perspective in the exploration of climate science and religion in higher education and faith communities.

Led by Rabbi Or Rose, Founding Director and the Miller Center and Rabbi Dr. Natan Margalit Founder and President of Organic Torah of ALEPH (Alliance for Jewish Renewal), the project aims to increase awareness of climate science among Jewish seminary students, faculty, and administrators, as well as Jewish leaders more broadly. “There is an urgent need among emerging Jewish spiritual and ethical leaders to gain a basic understanding of science and to deepen their knowledge of eco-theologies,” Rabbi Rose said.

As part of the grant, Rabbis Rose and Margalit will also convene Jewish leaders to reflect on the topic of “eco-kashrut”, the movement to extend the traditional Jewish system of dietary laws (kashrut) to address contemporary theological and ethical issues about consumption and resources in an age of climate crisis.

Read the press release.

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