Nature, Sustainability, and Sukkot: Rabbi Jessica Shimberg
Rabbi Jessica K. Shimberg showcases elements of Jewish holidays that remind us of our connection to nature. If you are interested in learning more about links between Judaism and protection our Earth and its environment, check out our video on the roots of Jewish ecology! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhSu9il1kmo Rabbi Shimberg shows the lulav and etrog for the Jewish Sukkot holiday. She serves as the grassroots organizer and leader of the Little Minyan Kehilah, a Eco-Conscious Jewish Reconstructionist & Renewal Community in central Ohio. She spoke at the Midwest Symposium on Ecologically Informed Theological Education: Implications for Teaching, Learning and Seminary Life. The Midwest Symposium was part of The Seminary Environmental Leadership Initiative, which was funded through a grant from the Luce Fund for Theological Education, an initiative of the Henry Luce Foundation’s Theology Program. Additional support was provided by The Julia Burke Foundation.
Importance of Harmony in Fighting Climate Change: Rev. Ken Kitatani
Ken Kitatani talks about our time of transition and the harmony needed to help combat climate change. If you are interested in learning more about climate change, check out our video on what impact it may have on the global economy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RlTtSrp88M Ken Kitatani currently serves as the Executive Director of the Forum 21 Institute. He is an ordained minister of Sukyo Mahikari Centers for Spiritual Development and is the Chief Administration Officer of their UN NGO (with special consultative status with UN ECOSOC). He also Co-chairs the Advisory Board of the Center for Earth Ethics of Union Theological Seminary and is on the Executive Board of the United Nations Committee for Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns and the Committee for Religious NGOs. He spoke at the Midwest Symposium on Ecologically Informed Theological Education: Implications for Teaching, Learning and Seminary Life. The Midwest Symposium was part of The Seminary Environmental…
Climate Change & Our Future with Dr. Lonnie Thompson
Dr. Lonnie Thompson speaks on the urgency and effects of climate change, as well as the steps that need to be made in order to have a more sustainable future. If you are interested in watching more educational environmental videos, check out our video on climate change in the Middle East: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ItarwR153s&t=36s Dr. Lonnie G. Thompson is a Distinguished University Professor in the School of Earth Sciences and a Research Scientist in the Byrd Polar Research Center at The Ohio State University. His research has propelled the field of ice core paleoclimatology out of the Polar Regions to the highest tropical and subtropical ice fields. The video was recorded at the Midwest Symposium on Ecologically Informed Theological Education: Implications for Teaching, Learning and Seminary Life. The Midwest Symposium was part of The Seminary Environmental Leadership Initiative, which was funded through a grant from the Luce Fund for Theological Education, an…
The Earth and Consumerism in Islam
Nazek Hapasha, a member of the Noor Islamic Cultural Center, speaks on environmental ethics and consumerism. She has for more than ten years done youth projects at the Center. If you are interested in learning more about the intersection between sustainability and Islam, check out our video on Islam and ecology with Dr. Mustafa Abu Sway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOByKmTyPfU Nazek Hapasha introduced the Faith & Environmentalism Summer program about 6 years ago. She spoke at the Midwest Symposium on Ecologically Informed Theological Education: Implications for Teaching, Learning and Seminary Life. The Midwest Symposium was part of The Seminary Environmental Leadership Initiative, which was funded through a grant from the Luce Fund for Theological Education, an initiative of the Henry Luce Foundation’s Theology Program. Additional support was provided by The Julia Burke Foundation.
Climate Change in the Middle East: Leading Scientists Share Insights
At the Interfaith Climate Change & Renewable Energy Conference, Plenary Session One focused on: Climate change and the Middle East — A Scientific Perspective. The listed figures presented on scientific evidence on climate change, and addressed whether recent conflicts in the Middle East been partially triggered by climate change. If you are interested in learning more about environmental issues around the world, check out our video on water issues in Rome! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqozivGkM70&t=15s Leading scientists presenting were Dr. Alon Tal (Chair, Department of Public Policy, Tel Aviv University), Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed (Director of the Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation, Arava Institute for Environmental Studies), and Dr. Pinchas Alpert (Professor of Geosciences, Tel Aviv University). Moderated by Robin Twite (Arava Institute).
Religion and Renewable Energy
At the Interfaith Climate Change & Renewable Energy Conference, Plenary Session Two focused on religious perspectives on renewable energy. Panelists are His Excellency Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Apostolic Administrator of Jerusalem and senior Catholic religious leader in the Holy Land), Yasmin Barhum (Facilitator at Living in the Levant), and Rabbi Yedidya Sinclair (Senior Rabbinic Scholar, Hazon). Moderated by Rabbi Yonatan Neril (Founder and Executive Director, Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development), second from left. If you are interested in seeing more from the conference, check out our video on Catholic teachings and renewable energy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3oO2jhQRaA
Parking Spaces vs Our World’s Green Space
In today’s world, the rapid increase in vehicle ownership is adding to deforestation, due to the growing need for roads and parking. How can we apply environmental ethics to this pressing situation? If you are interested in finding out more about sprawl and deforestation, check out our video on building takeover: Sustainability and Sprawl: Buildings Arise, Trees Demise.
Water Crisis In Rome
Rabbi Yonatan Neril visits Rome and finds the “Queen of Water” is now suffering the same signs of water stress as other major capital cities and he suggests some ways that we can all help to improve water supply. If you are interested in learning more about water issues around the world, check out our video on the water crisis of our world’s megacities! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2cQ6zYVARc
Educating Kids on Sustainability and Renewable Energy
At the Essex County Environmental Center, Rabbi Yonatan Neril sees how New Jersey is educating the next generation to understand the benefits of renewable energy. If you are interested in learning more about the involvement on young people in sustainability, check out our video on Kesem Bengiat, a young environmental advocate with a passion for environmental justice and protecting our home! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkya_E2bgk0&t=1s