Environment, Sustainability & Climate Change

As religious women, our efforts to protect the environment are rooted in our understanding of our covenantal relationship with God, our obligation to serve as wise stewards of Creation, and our deep sense of interdependence among our earthly home, humanity, God, and nature. Jewish tradition tells us that the world is God’s creation, and we must cherish and preserve it. “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,” declares the Psalmist (Psalm 24:1). Talmudic law prohibits the destruction of natural resources. In rabbinic literature, a story is told that when God showed Adam all that was in the Garden of Eden, God said: “See My Work, how good it is. Know that everything which I created, I have created for you. Now take care, lest you spoil and destroy My world. For if you spoil and destroy it, no one will rebuild it after you (Ecclesiastes Rabbah 7:13).”

In fulfillment of these Jewish values, WRJ works with others to preserve our natural resources, safeguard our air, water, and land from pollution and other damage, support research and technology that will repair the damage done by past practices, and encourage a more sustainable lifestyle. 

Power for Purpose Campaign

The Reform Movement’s Power for Purpose Campaign is building power to advance environmental justice, stave off climate change’s devastation, and protect democracy. Through training and action in communities across our network, we are building power to move the White House to reflect the voters’ will and strengthen climate change regulations.

Image
A person talking into a megaphone next to a photo of the US Capitol

Resolutions, Statements, and Advocacy Alerts

2023: Tell the EPA to Adopt to a Strong Mercury Rule to Cut Pollution

2013: Supreme Court, Immigration Reform, and Alberta Flood Victims

2013: Boy Scouts of America, EPA Regulations

2013: State of the Union, Going Green

2012: Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Food Day, RAC Webinar

2012: Post-Election Webinar and Hurricane Sandy Relief

2012: Update from UN Rep, IRAC Op-Ed from Anat Hoffman, Fair Minimum Wage

2012: High Holy Days Social Justice Guide, Environmental Standards for Drilling, IRAC Petition

2012: Student Non-Discrimination Act, Childhood Obesity, Jewish Energy Covenant Campaign

2012: Sustainable Consumption and Production - Take Action Now

2012: Or Ami Awardees Continued (Jewish Women's History, WRJ-Israel Twinning Retreat), Disaster Relief

2012: Advocacy Recommendations Regarding Sustainable Consumption and Production

2012: Important Notice: Hold the Date for Israel, Or Ami Award Winning Projects (Youth Holocaust Education, Bag Recycling)

2011: WRJ 48th Assembly Delegates Adopt Resolutions on Sustainability and Employee Rights

2011: The Durban UN Climate Change Conference Opens

2011: Support the UN Climate Change Conference, WRJ South Africa Leader Wins Prestigious Award

2011: Plan a Mindful Eating Sisterhood Dinner for the Full Harvest Season

2011: Paycheck Fairness Act, Sacred Conversations, A Student Rabbi's Experience in Joplin, MO After the Disaster

2011: WRJ Board Issues Statement on Reproductive Rights, Deadly Storm Ravages Joplin, MO

2011: Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan, Conference Call with the President of Planned Parenthood

2011: Plan a Program on Jewish Food: An Entree to Judaism and the World of the Diaspora

2010: Carmel Fire in Israel, Israeli Sisterhood to Plant Trees

2010: Nashville Flood Relief, Muslim-Jewish Interreligious Dialogue, Radio Canada Interview with Dr. Abuelaish

2010: Aid Earthquake Victims, Women of Faith Leadership Summit, Women, Faith, and Development Alliance Paises WRJ

2010: Cancel Super Bowl Anti-Abortion Ad, Funds for Haiti and Long Term Relief, Haiti Update

2010: Haiti Relief Fund, Child Trafficking: Canadian Sisterhood Advocacy Needed