Rabbi Michael Melchior on Environmental Stewardship – “Earth is a Gift From God”
For more Jewish leaders speaking on environmental stewardship, please see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhSu9il1kmo Rabbi Michael Melchior, who also acted as moderator of the panel session, said that Jerusalem is a holy city and that it is supposed to be and can be a gate to heaven. Rabbi Melchior explained that we are currently in the Sabbatical year, highlighting how the world belongs to God and we are only temporary residents. Rabbi Melchior also shared some of his experience from an interfaith conference at Windsor Castle and how that conference and this conference in Jerusalem all have the feeling of togetherness, with environmental concern uniting all faiths.
Father Biju Michael Speaking at Faith and Ecology Conference Jerusalem
How can belief in a Creator translate into genuine environmental commitment? At the Faith and Ecology Conference in Jerusalem, Father Biju Michael explores this question by drawing on the words of Pope John Paul II, who taught that those who believe in a creator God carry an inherent responsibility to commit to caring for creation. Father Biju also highlights Pope John Paul II’s broader insight that the environment serves as a natural point of connection for interfaith dialogue, a theme central to the conference itself. Beyond theological reflection, Father Biju expresses a hope for moving beyond theory into practical, tangible action, emphasizing that environmental commitment must extend past belief and into concrete behavior. He closes his remarks with a prayer, reinforcing the deeply spiritual dimension underlying the call to environmental stewardship. His talk adds an important Catholic voice to the interfaith conversation on faith-driven ecological responsibility at the Jerusalem conference.…
Bishop Shomali Speaking at Faith and Ecology Conference Jerusalem
What environmental challenges are specific to Jerusalem, Israel, and Gaza, and how should people of faith respond? At the Faith and Ecology Conference in Jerusalem, Bishop Shomali opens by addressing this question directly, outlining many of the pressing environmental concerns facing the region. He argues that the scale and complexity of these issues demand collaborative action — not only among people of faith across different traditions, but also in partnership with politicians and policymakers who hold the power to enact meaningful change. Moving from regional analysis to theological grounding, Bishop Shomali then turns to biblical teachings on creation and human stewardship, reinforcing the idea that environmental responsibility is deeply rooted in scripture. His talk bridges the practical realities of environmental degradation in a politically complex region with the spiritual mandate to care for creation, offering a grounded, regionally specific perspective within the broader interfaith conversation on ecology. For more from…
Between Faith and Ecology – An Interfaith Women’s Seminar
On Thursday, December 19th, the ICSD brought together women from across the Holy Land for a seminar on faith, environment, and activism. For more on women’s eco gatherings, please see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLJno-xqK38&t=6s Over the course of seven hours, over thirty women took a deep look at their identities and respectfully explored those of their fellow sisters. They raised the challenging questions regarding faith’s role in environmental stewardship, women’s role in society and ecology, and the most impactful ways to elevate our influence in all of these sectors. Check out our website : https://www.interfaithsustain.com
Rev. Angela Zimmann Speaks on Faith and Sustainability
What unique perspective can Lutheran theology bring to the conversation around faith and sustainability? Reverend Angela Zimmann of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem addresses this question at the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development’s women’s seminar, “Between Faith and Ecology.” In her talk, Reverend Zimmann explores the intersection of Lutheran teaching and environmental responsibility, contributing a distinctly Protestant Christian voice to a seminar centered on women’s roles and perspectives within the broader interfaith sustainability movement. Her participation highlights the seminar’s commitment to amplifying diverse religious and gendered perspectives on ecological care, demonstrating how women faith leaders across denominations are actively shaping the conversation on environmental stewardship. This talk adds an important Lutheran theological perspective to the growing body of interfaith dialogue on faith, gender, and sustainability. Reverend Angela Zimmann from the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem at the ICSD’s women’s seminar “Between Faith and Ecology”. For…
Rana Khalef Speaks at the “Between Faith and Ecology” Seminar
Where does meaningful environmental change actually begin? Rana Khalef, principal of the Afack School for the Learning Disabled, offers a grounded answer at the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development’s women’s seminar, “Between Faith and Ecology”: it starts at home, with the people we can immediately influence. In her talk, Khalef explores how ecologically friendly living isn’t primarily about grand policy shifts, but about the everyday choices and habits modeled within families and close communities — particularly the influence parents, educators, and caregivers have on the next generation. Drawing on her experience as an educator working with learning-disabled students, Khalef brings a unique perspective on accessible, practical approaches to instilling environmental values close to home. Her talk contributes a grounded, community-level perspective to the seminar’s broader exploration of faith, ecology, and women’s leadership. Viewers interested in further seminar commentary can check out Naomi Tsur’s related talk. Rana Khalef, principal of…
Rabbi Naamah Kelman and Jewish Environmentalism
What can the ancient practice of Shabbat teach us about modern environmentalism? Rabbi Naamah Kelman, Dean of Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem, explores this question at the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development’s women’s seminar, “Between Faith and Ecology.” In her talk, Rabbi Kelman examines how Shabbat traditions — centered on rest, restraint, and stepping back from productivity and consumption — align naturally with contemporary environmental values. She draws out the deeper ecological wisdom embedded within this weekly practice, suggesting that Shabbat’s emphasis on pause and mindful living offers a model for more sustainable, less consumption-driven ways of life. Rabbi Kelman’s insights contribute an important Jewish theological perspective to the seminar’s broader exploration of faith, gender, and environmental stewardship, highlighting how ancient religious rhythms can inform modern ecological consciousness. Her talk adds meaningful depth to the growing conversation on Jewish environmentalism. Rabbi Naamah Kelman, Dean of Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem,…
Naomi Tsur on Interfaith Tolerance
In a city as religiously significant and diverse as Jerusalem, what does genuine interfaith respect look like in practice? Naomi Tsur, former deputy mayor of Jerusalem and head of the Jerusalem branch of the Green Pilgrimage Network, addresses this question at the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development’s women’s seminar, “Between Faith and Ecology.” In her talk, Tsur explores the importance of respecting the holy sites of every religion, drawing on her extensive experience in municipal leadership and interfaith environmental initiatives to examine how tolerance and mutual respect form the foundation for meaningful interfaith cooperation. Her perspective bridges civic governance and religious sensitivity, illustrating how sacred spaces themselves can serve as points of connection rather than division when approached with genuine respect. Tsur’s insights contribute a valuable civic and interfaith leadership perspective to the seminar’s broader exploration of faith, ecology, and women’s roles in sustainability. Naomi Tsur, former deputy mayor of…
Yasmin Barhum: Islamic Environmentalism
How do Islamic beliefs, environmentalism, and traditional lifestyles intersect in everyday practice? Yasmin Barhum, a landscape architect and facilitator at “Living in the Levant,” explores this question at the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development’s women’s seminar, “Between Faith and Ecology.” Drawing on her professional background in landscape architecture alongside her personal faith, Barhum examines how Islamic teachings shape her environmental values and connect to traditional ways of living that have long emphasized sustainability and harmony with the land. Her unique combination of professional expertise and lived religious experience offers a grounded, practical perspective on Islamic environmentalism, illustrating how faith, design, and traditional knowledge can work together to inform more sustainable lifestyles. Barhum’s talk contributes an important Islamic and professional perspective to the seminar’s broader exploration of faith, ecology, and women’s leadership in sustainability. Yasmin Barhum, landscape architect and facilitator at “Living in the Levant,” discusses the connection between her beliefs…