Transforming Jerusalem’s Kidron Valley from Sewage Stream to Thriving Ecosystem
Ricki Silber – The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development co-organized and co-guided a tour of the Kidron Valley, together with the renowned Israeli guide Avner Goren, for 40 Jordanian, Israeli, Palestinian, and international students of the Arava Institute of Environmental Studies.
How Can We Keep the Holy City of Jerusalem Clean?
Rabbi Yonatan Neril – am writing to encourage an expanded religious sensitivity concerning our waste—how much garbage we produce, and where our garbage and sewage go. Why, because in this week’s Torah portion, Shemot, it is written, “They gathered them into many heaps, and the land stank” (Exodus 8:10) While the Bible is referring to the frogs that died in the second plague, this verse also describes the present situation in Jerusalem, where in some neighborhoods garbage has not been removed in eight days.
Will God, Technology, Politicians or Eco-Billionaires Alone Save Us From Our Ecological Crisis?
Rabbi Yonatan Neril – I want to share with you and debunk a few commonly held views about how others will save us from our ecological crisis, in the hope of empowering us to take action ourselves. One: God will save us, and therefore we don’t have to do anything.
Jerusalem Climate Action Highlights Urgency of Addressing Climate Crisis
Rabbi Yonatan Neril – About 60 people of different faiths came together today in Jerusalem calling for action on climate change, as global negotiations by 200 countries to address the climate crisis began in Paris. The event took place at Zion Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem, and was one of 2000 actions in 140 cities worldwide, including Tel Aviv and Ramallah.
Amidst Hottest Year on Earth, Faith Leaders Unite and Call for Climate Action
Rabbi Yonatan Neril – In light of new evidence that 2015 will be the hottest year ever recorded, Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and Jain leaders joined together at the Parliament of World Religions pledging faith-based action to combat climate change.
Islamic Call on Climate Appeals to 1.6 Billion Muslims
Rabbi Yonatan Neril – Muslim clergy issued a bold Declaration on climate change at the Islamic Climate Change Symposium this week. ICSD’s director, Rabbi Yonatan Neril, had the honor of participating in the Symposium in Istanbul and speaking as the Jewish representative in the interfaith session of the event.
The Summit of Conscience for the Climate in Paris
Rabbi Yonatan Neril – Last week, ICSD director Yonatan Neril attended The Summit of Conscience for the Climate in Paris. Over 500 people attended the Summit, from a range of sectors– governmental, faith-based, civil society, media, and business.
Eco Tourism Programs in the Holy Land
Our eco-tourism and educational branches offer hikes, eco-volunteering, site tours, and text study to expose tourists to the natural beauty of the Holy Land and to its expanding culture of environmental innovation.
Interfaith Eco Slam Attracts Muslims, Christians, and Jews in Jerusalem
Hannah Kober – On June 4th, 2015, I joined over 60 residents from Israel, and the West Bank for the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development’s Interfaith Eco Slam, held in Hebrew, Arabic, and English. The diversity of voices present and the multiple social and political angles that were mentioned made it particularly unique.