Kosher Food for Thought

What does keeping kosher have to do with living a meaningful, sustainable life? In this talk, Dr. Josh Holo, Dean of Hebrew Union College, explores the deep connection between Jewish dietary law and a life of purpose, arguing that sustainable living and sacred living are ultimately one and the same. He examines how the principles embedded in kosher food practices — mindfulness, discipline, and reverence for what we consume — offer a spiritual framework that naturally aligns with sustainable habits, reframing everyday food choices as sacred acts rather than mundane routine.

This talk was recorded at the Los Angeles Symposium on Ecologically Informed Theological Education, part of The Seminary Environmental Leadership Initiative, funded through a grant from the Luce Fund for Theological Education, an initiative of the Henry Luce Foundation’s Theology Program, with additional support from The Julia Burke Foundation. Dr. Holo’s reflection adds an important Jewish theological perspective to the growing conversation about faith, food, and environmental responsibility.