The portion of Noah is the perfect time to discuss climate change. After all, there can be no more drastic change than a flood that wipes out nearly all life. But the flood, and subsequent rainbow covenant carry much deeper meaning than simply to watch the sky for ominous clouds. In light of the upcoming conference on the climate crisis scheduled for Copenhagen in December, this Shabbat has become a time of activism and awareness for synagogues everywhere.
And not just in synagogues. Tomorrow, October 24, has also been declared an International Day of Climate Action by 350.org. whose goal is to reduce carbon emissions worldwide to the acceptable standard of 350 parts per million, which is what many scientists, climate experts, and progressive national governments are now saying is the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere.
Here at Beth El, we'll commemorate this special Shabbat tomorrow morning by unveiling a special new project, a community garden, which is to be constructed over the next several weels. Mark Teich, a congregant who has constructed many such gardens, will tell us about it.
Here are some resources for your own celebration of this special Shabbat:
Learn more about the Parshat Noach Global Climate Healing Shabbat
Downloads from The Jewish Climate Change Campaign
Sign the Jewish Climate Change Campaign Pledge.
Hazon
For Project 350:
What does the number 350 mean?
What's the day of action?
How can I get involved?
How will this make a difference?
Jewish Climate Campaign Launch in The Jerusalem Post
Noach and Climate Change in The Jewish Week
Noach and the Next Flood in the Jewish Exponent
Benefits of Community Gardens
A Prayer for the Earth
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