Rabbi Daniel Swartz is the spiritual leader of Temple Hesed of Scranton and the executive director of the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life. He and his spouse, Rabbi Marjorie Berman, were recently part of the launch of the Women Faith & Climate Network, where the delegates closed the conference chanting Esther 4:14 (“umi yode’a im la’et kazot higat lemalkut/who knows — perhaps it is for just such a time as this you have attained Malkhut.”) to a melody composed by Rabbi Swartz.
Many national, regional and even local efforts within the Jewish community address environmental concerns in a variety of different ways, and all are worthy of support.
A scientific look at evolution does not show any directionality, let alone inevitable progress.
I’ve been part of a global, interfaith effort that has revived my hopes. It has also reminded me about the deeper power of small acts.
Serving as central organization of the Reconstructionist movement
Training the next generation of groundbreaking rabbis
Modeling respectful conversations on pressing Jewish issues
Curating original, Jewish rituals, and convening Jewish creatives
