9/15/2008 JVNA Online Newsletter

Shalom everyone,

This update/Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA) Online Newsletter has the following items:

1. Addressing Rabbis and Others Re Global Warming and Dietary Connections

2. Time Magazine Article Connects Meat Eating to Global Warming

3. U.N. Climate Change Panel Encourages Vegetarianism

4. A Jury Decides that Global Warming Justifies Breaking the Law/JVNA Response

5. World Vegetarian Month in October

6. Video Shows Harm Done by Western Ranching

7. Imprisoned Austrian Animal Rights Activists Freed

8. What a Vegan World Would Look Like

9. Update on Agriprocessors' Glatt Kosher Slaughterhouse in Postville, Iowa

10. Challenging the Media on Lack of Coverage of Agriprocessors Abuses of Animals

11. Group Certifies That Animals Are Raised Humanely/Connect to Hechsher Tzedek?

12. Greenpeace Activists Protest at Coal-Burning Plant in Ashkelon, Israel

13. Ecological Program in Israel Announced

14. Group Promotes Healthy Lunches in Schools

15. Rabbi Reassesses 'What is Kosher' in View of Agriprocessors Controversies

16. Video Has D'var Torah Based on Torah Teachings

17. Jewish Groups Express Concerns re Agriprocessors Charges

18. Action Alert: Chance to Sign a Petition to the UN Urging End of Animal-Based Agriculture to Reduce World Hunger

19. Horrible Abuses of Animals in Greece

20. Marvelous Video Shows Mistreatment of Farmed Animals

Some material has been deferred to a later update/newsletter to keep this one from being even longer.

[Materials in brackets like this [ ] within an article or forwarded message are my editorial notes/comments.]

Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the JVNA, unless otherwise indicated, but may be presented to increase awareness and/or to encourage respectful dialogue. Also, material re conferences, retreats, forums, trips, and other events does not necessarily imply endorsement by JVNA or endorsement of the kashrut, Shabbat observances, or any other Jewish observances, but may be presented for informational purposes. Please use e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, and web sites to get further information about any event that you are interested in. Also, JVNA does not necessarily agree with all positions of groups whose views are included or whose events are announced in this newsletter.

As always, your comments and suggestions are very welcome.

Thanks,

Richard

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1. Addressing Rabbis and Others Re Global Warming and Dietary Connections

As I write this, television news is filled with pictures of the devastating effects of Hurricane Ike. Israel is now suffering from the worst drought in its history, and many other countries are also suffering from severe droughts, in what some are calling “the century of drought.” And the recent severe flooding in Iowa and other US Midwestern states and the widespread wildfires in California are still relatively fresh in our minds. These are all factors that have been related to global climate change, and projections are for far worse. For example, a 2007 report from the Israel Union for Environmental Defense (IUD; Adam Teva v'Din) projects that, unless major changes soon occur, Israel will experience major heat waves, droughts, storms and flooding from a rising Mediterranean Sea.

Hence, it is essential that we respectfully address rabbis and other leaders, Jewish and non-Jewish, and respectfully urge them to address the impending crises and especially consider the need for a major shift toward vegetarianism as part of efforts to respond effectively to global warming. Please consider meeting with your local rabbis, educators, reporters and editors, environmentalists, politicians and other influential people. Of course, please consider using any of my over 130 articles at JewishVeg.com/Schwartz and other material at the JVNA website www.JewishVeg.com. Please also let people know that they can see the entire documentary A SACRED DUTY: APPLYING JEWISH VALUES TO HELP HEAL THE WORLD at ASacredDuty.com, and that they can also get further information about the documentary and order a complimentary copy there. Please let us know of actions that you are taking and any responses. Many thanks.

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2. Time Magazine Article Connects Meat Eating to Global Warming

Meat: Making Global Warming Worse
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1839995,00.html?cnn=yes

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3. U.N. Climate Change Panel Encourages Vegetarianism

Thanks to vegetarian and Earthsave activist Jeff Tucker for the material below:

Other big news this week comes from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It has called for a worldside move toward a vegetarian diet, to combat climate change. Last year, the Panel earned a joint share of the Nobel Peace Price. It's chairman, Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, is recommending that people have at least one vegetarian meal a week. He's not alone. The WorldWatch Institute, the Food Climate Research Network and the Sierra Club and others also echo this recommendation.

This week, news stories on this subject have been appearing all over the world. The United Kingdom's Observer (Guardian) offers the most informative article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/07/food.foodanddrink

You can also find a list of media coverage on this subject on this Google page:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&tab=wn&ned=us&ie=UTF-8&ncl=1243234597

Thank you to Karen Dawn of DawnWatch for bringing our attention to this coverage! Read her alerts and check out her website at http://www.dawnwatch.com

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4. A Jury Decides that Global Warming Justifies Breaking the Law/JVNA Response

Forwarded message:

Jury decides that threat of global warming justifies breaking the law
The threat of global warming is so great that campaigners were justified in causing more than £35,000 worth of damage to a coal-fired power station, a jury decided yesterday. In a verdict that will have shocked ministers and energy companies the jury at Maidstone Crown Court cleared six Greenpeace activists of criminal damage.Jurors accepted defence arguments that the six had a “lawful excuse” to damage property at Kingsnorth power station in Kent to prevent even greater damage caused by climate change. The defence of “lawful excuse” under the Criminal Damage Act 1971 allows damage to be caused to property to prevent even greater damage - such as breaking down the door of a burning house to tackle a fire.

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/cleared-jury-decides-that-threat-of-global-warming-justifies-breaking-the-law-925561.html

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JVNA response to the Jury's decision:

This message above is really incredible!

I do not support vandalism, except perhaps under very extraordinary immediate circumstances, but in view of the unprecedented catastrophe the world is rapidly approaching from global warming and other environmental threats, perhaps it is time for a reassessment of tactics, and a consideration of civil disobedience and other more aggressive tactics, within the law.

I think it is essential that the veggie/animal rights and other groups do more to wake people up to the imminent dangers and the need for changes very soon.

Let us hope that Hurricane Ike will be a wake-up call.

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5. World Vegetarian Month in October

Forwarded message from John Davis, International Vegetarian Union Secretary:

The month from October 1 to November 1 is variously known as WORLD VEGETARIAN/VEGAN MONTH, REVERENCE FOR ALL LIFE MONTH, WORLD VEGETARIAN AWARENESS MONTH, starting with World Vegetarian day on Oct 1 - and culminating in World Vegan Day on Nov 1. For more details of events that are happening around the world see http://www.ivu.org/vegmonth - and let me know if you have anything to add! John Davis davis_manager@ivu.org http://www.ivu.org

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6. Video Shows Harm Done by Western Ranching

Forwarded message from author and vegetarian activist Mike Hudek:

Now on the Internet--one of my presentations from last month's national animal rights conference turned into a QuickTime video. See the many harms inflicted by Western ranching on dozens of wildlife species. Here's the link: http://mikehudak.com/Presentations.

Technical problems viewing the video? Please email me. Thanks.--Mike

--

Mike Hudak, PhD
Chair, Sierra Club National Grazing Committee
Director, Public Lands Without Livestock
Author, Western Turf Wars

Binghamton, NY 13904-1516

Personal website: http://mikehudak.com
Biome Books: http://biomebooks.com
MySpace Profile: http://www.myspace.com/plwl
Facebook: http://facebook.com Mike Hudak (Binghamton, NY)

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7. Imprisoned Austrian Animal Rights Activists Freed

Thanks to JVNA advisor Ron Landskroner for alerting us to this information:

http://ga0.org/indefenseofanimals/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=15000059

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8. What a Vegan World Would Look Like

Forwarded message from www. All-creatures.org (Frank and Mary Hoffman):

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF OUR CHURCHES AND GOVERNMENT PROMOTED VEGANISM?

http://www.all-creatures.org/gcm/articles-whatwould.html

Factory farming would disappear and the economy would keep going!
We would have more food for the poor.
We would have cleaner water.
We would be healthier.
We would have a more balanced eco-system.
We would allow 3rd world countries to keep their habitat.
We would be teaching peaceful living to our kids.
We would be better stewards of God's animals used in research, and in the clothing and food industry.
We would have a closer relationship with God.
We would reflect more of God's image - compassionate, kind, peaceful and loving.
We would be letting everything that has breath praise the Lord. (Psalm 150:6)
We would be merciful, and would obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7

+++ Animals are part of the economy, the environment, our health, the poor in our world, our relationship with God, and world peace. +++
Billions of animals suffer needlessly for us every day. Let's stop the suffering, one choice at a time - and allow everything that has breath to praise the Lord!

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9. Update on Agriprocessors' Glatt Kosher Slaughterhouse in Postville, Iowa

September 11, 2008
Meatpacker May Lose Kosher Certification
By JULIA PRESTON

[*** Note that there have been many recent media article re Agriprocessors. For greater coverage, please do an Internet search or go to www.failedmessiah.com. Since this issue first broke, following an underground video showing mistreatment of animals in the slaughtering process, JVNA has sent many letters and press releases to the media. We have generally stressed that the many alleged abuses of animal and people should be wakeup calls to the many abuses of animal-based diets and how they violate at k]least 6 basic Jewish teachings.]

The leading Jewish authority in charge of certifying kosher food has threatened to withdraw its certification from the products of Agriprocessors Inc., the nation's largest kosher meatpacker, after criminal charges for more than 9,000 child labor violations were brought against the company and its owners in Iowa this week.

Rabbi Menachem Genack, who is in charge of kosher supervision for the Orthodox Union, the major kosher certifying organization in the United States, said he had set a deadline of “several weeks” for Agriprocessors to name a new chief executive, or the group would suspend supervision of kosher production at its plants.

“Because of the new charges in the state of Iowa, we believe it is in the best interest of the kosher consuming public to have new management with a new C.E.O., that will give people a new sense of confidence that all laws and regulations are being completely complied with,” Rabbi Genack said in an interview on Wednesday.

Losing the kosher certification of the Orthodox Union would be a potentially crippling blow to Agriprocessors, whose meat and poultry - sold as Aaron's Best and Rubashkin's, among other brands - are staples in Jewish households nationwide that observe kosher practices. The company is by far the largest producer of kosher meat, with annual kosher sales estimated at $80 million. Although other groups provide certification, they are less widely known, and the loss of the familiar circled-U seal on the company's products could drive away many customers.

Agriprocessors has been struggling to maintain its production since 389 illegal immigrant workers were detained at its plant in Postville, Iowa, in a raid on May 12. On Tuesday, Iowa's attorney general brought 9,311 criminal misdemeanor charges that accused the company of employing 32 workers under the legal age of 18 in Postville. Many of the youths worked night shifts in dangerous jobs that exposed them to hazardous chemicals, according to the charges.

Aaron Rubashkin, the Agriprocessors owner, who is a Hasidic Jew, and his son Sholom, the former chief executive of the Postville operation, were named as defendants in the criminal cases.

The Orthodox Union's ultimatum was first reported on Tuesday by JTA, the Jewish news agency. The agency also reported that a second kosher certifier working in the Postville plant said that he would not withdraw.

Rabbi Menachem Weissmandl, the other certifier, said he would remove his seal of approval only if the company failed to follow strict procedures for slaughter and packing mandated by Jewish dietary ritual laws, JTA reported.

Rabbi Genack said he had told the Rubashkins after the raid that he expected them to seek new leadership for the company. Shortly after, Aaron Rubashkin announced that he had fired Sholom Rubashkin as chief executive, and was seeking to replace him, but no new executive has been named.

Agriprocessors has already met another condition laid down by the Orthodox Union, Rabbi Genack said, by hiring James Martin, a former United States attorney from Missouri, as a compliance officer to enforce labor and safety standards.

For the top manager, Rabbi Genack said, “We want to see a new face, somebody independent who can give new direction to the company.”

The pressure from the Orthodox Union added to criticism of Agriprocessors from a movement led by Conservative Jews that is seeking to create an additional seal for kosher food to show it was produced according to ethical standards for wages and worker safety. The movement, Hekhsher Tzedek, praised the Orthodox Union's “no-nonsense action,” saying it showed that the concept of ethical standards in kosher food “transcends denominational boundaries.”

Late Tuesday, federal prosecutors in Iowa announced the arrests on immigration harboring charges of two human resources managers at the Postville plant, Laura Althouse and Karina Freund, who were also named in the state criminal charges.

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10. Challenging the Media on Lack of Coverage of Agriprocessors Abuses of Animals

Forwarded message from JVNA activist Laura Slitt:

Hello Everyone!
As I drove to work this morning, Jennifer Ludden, an NPR correspondent, was reporting on the so called "Kosher" slaughter plant in Iowa now under scrutiny again for violating child labor laws. Before it was immigration laws.

The absence of full coverage regarding the HEINOUS and speakable torture the owners and workers inflicted upon cows, was predictably left out.

We in the animal rights movement are not surprised that people whose business it is to use huge chain saws and carving tools to dismember sentient beings, can also treat human workers with cruel abuses and reckless policies, at ANY age. The links below are first, the NPR stories about this plant, and secondly, the equally important news listeners are spared from hearing, about the grotesque abominable and sick treatment of cows in this concentration camp.
HOW DARE any Jews participate in this perversion of the essence of religious teachings, kindness and mercy to animals. How DARE a news avenue that touts being unbiased in telling the entire story and informing the public, leave out the facts about macabre animal abuse. Please tell them there IS a fundamental connection between violence against humans and animals.
morning@npr.org jludden@npr.org or go to www.npr.org click on contact us, choose Morning Edition, and tell them to tell the ENTIRE story.
THANKS...
Laura Slitt
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94449437
http://getactive.peta.org/campaign/agriprocessors_investigation_2008

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11. Group Certifies That Animals Are Raised Humanely/Connect to Hechsher Tzedek?

Forwarded message from JVNA advisor Steve Schuster:

Hi Richard,

Are you familiar with this?

http://www.certifiedhumane.com/

What do you think about us advocating making this the new standard for kosher meat?

[It would be great if perhaps this group worked with the group “Hechsher Tzedek” in seeing that conditions at slaughterhouses and other food-related facilities met both humane and Jewish standards. We are currently looking into the possibility of facilitating this connection. Suggestions welcome. Thanks.]

Best regards,

Steve

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12. Greenpeace Activists Protest at Coal-Burning Plant in Ashkelon, Israel

'Rainbow Warriors' Arrested
by Nissan Ratzlav-Katz

Police arrested fourteen activists from the Greenpeace organization at the Ashkelon harbor, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, on Monday after their ship, the Rainbow Warrior, docked in a prohibited area and the activists proceeded to vandalize another ship at the port. Those arrested include Israelis and foreign nationals.

The Israeli Coast Guard was alerted and sped to Ashkelon when the Rainbow Warrior entered a restricted area of the city's port. Police boarded the vessel and arrested the Greenpeace activists. In addition to entering an area prohibited to general civilian traffic, the activists spray-painted the words "Quit Coal" on the side of a ship that was unloading coal. The vandals also apparently planned to launch small boats or dinghies from the Rainbow Warrior towards a power station operating at the Ashkelon harbor.

The Greenpeace activists undertook Monday's actions in protest against the use of coal for energy production at the Ashkelon power plant. The Israeli government has plans to build a second electric power plant, also to be fueled by coal, alongside the existing one.
The Rainbow Warrior docked at Haifa Bay on Saturday on the open and legal leg of its visit to Israel. The crew opened the ship to Israelis and set up exhibits on board explaining their views on climate change and coal fuel. It may have been at this stage that the ship picked up Israeli Greenpeace activists for the next, illicit leg of the ship's voyage.

This is far from the first visit of the Rainbow Warrior to Israel. It is not even the first attention-grabbing "direct action" executed by Greenpeace activists in Israel this year. In May, three Greenpeace activists repelled from the roof of the National Infrastructure Ministry in Jerusalem. They draped a huge banner across the front of the building with a message in Hebrew, "In one week, Fuad will kill Ashkelon," followed by the words, "COAL KILLS!" in English. "Fuad" refers to National Infrastructures Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, who was set to approve the second coal-based power station in Ashkelon at the time.

As the banner-hangers jumped, Greenpeace activists blocked the entrance to the Ministry with ten kilograms of coal with two protruding dummy legs, "intended to represent the fact that Fuad's head is buried deep inside the coal industry," Greenpeace activists explained on an enviromentalist website.

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13. Ecological Program in Israel Announced

Forwarded message:

Explore the connections between new forms of ecological identity and stewardship, social justice and community in Israel. Work alongside Palestinian-Arab, Bedouin and Jewish Israelis who are striving for a just and lasting peace. Gain hands-on experience in ecological design, green building and sustainable agriculture and put permaculture into action in a Bedouin Village in the Negev Desert.

Through engagement with a holistic approach to world issues that encompasses inner, cultural, and outer processes, you will broaden and deepen your understanding of sustainability and ecology. Hands-on experience with habitat restoration, local organic food production, teaching in village schools, working with village action groups and more, help build a growing theoretical understanding of issues relating to global sustainability.

Learn from experts about cutting-edge ecological building techniques such as adobe, straw bale, and geodesic domes, as well as permaculture design.

Engage in peace dialogues with marginalized groups around their experience and ideas for creating peace and justice in the region. This program emphasizes critical thinking, open-mindedness, consensus decision-making, community living and non-violent communication in order to explore sensitive international, community and personal dynamics.

Highlights

Gain hands-on experience with organic gardening, adobe brick and straw bale = construction, building with recycled materials and more at the Center for Creative Ecology at Kibbutz Lotan.

Experience environmental justice issues first-hand in the Negev Desert with Bustan L'Shalom, a local environmental justice organization.

Live in a mixed Arab and Jewish community in the center of Israel, meet with municipal representatives and community groups, and experience Arab culture.

Visit old and new Jerusalem, tour the separation barrier, and float in the
Dead Sea.

Put permaculture into action working on a community project in a Bedouin
village in the Negev Desert.

Experience the School for Peace's unique approach to dialogue between groups in conflict at Neve Shalom - Wahat al-Salam.

http://livingroutes.org/programs/p_lotan.htm

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14. Group Promotes Healthy Lunches in Schools

From Barbara Gates, Director of Lean and Green Schools (formerly Project Healthy Beginnings),

...advocating for healthy veg school lunches that will give ALL kids and their planet a brighter future!

Lean and Green Schools passed the first state resolution calling for veg school lunches... now 4 states have!

The cause needs just 3 minutes of your time...

ACTION ALERT: With the link below, it will take JUST 3 minutes to send the USDA your written comments calling for an amendment to the Child Nutrition Act that would include plant-based school lunches. The CNA is coming up for re-authorization in 2009 and taking comments from the public is part of that process, but only until October 15th, 2008. The CNA directly impacts the National School Lunch Program and what is served at school. This is our chance to join together and raise our voices for children, the animals, and the environment.

At the last re-authorization the USDA made amendments calling for more fruits and veggies and also - finally - made soymilk a part of the National School Lunch Program. We can make a difference!

Please send in your comments of support for "plant based school lunch entrees" to this USDA web page formatted to take comments:

http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=SubmitComment&o=09000064805f47dd

Tell them that you are tired of your tax dollars being thrown into the garbage when kids throw away the healthy fruits and vegetables because those healthy foods can't compete with pizza, burgers, and chocolate milk. And let them know that its time for the USDA to create school lunches that nourish ALL children and do not exclude families who avoid eating animal foods for health or ethical reasons. Please mention the FOUR STATE RESOLUTIONS which now call for alternative plant-based lunches.

If you live near Chicago or Denver - we have a chance to make our case for veg school lunches powerfully - in person - this week, as the USDA holds their final 2 listening sessions (out of 7 held around the US) on the CNA Re-authorization. I went to the San Francisco session and it was an awesome experience. Another Lean and Green Mom was heard powerfully and in person in Georgia - she made the news! Please make arrangements to go and speak if you live near one of these cities!! I can email you a script. Just go to the USDA website linked from the LnG's website and call to register.

And please check out the new LeanandGreenSchools.com website. I'm especially proud of the home page and its message about why veg lunches needs to be a major area of environmental focus!! Please let me know what you think :) I welcome constructive criticism and the chance to get to know you better.

below is an alternative route - really simple:

Go to:

www.fns.usda.gov/cga/Sessions/default.htm ... then click on the link in the text that reads:

"regulations.gov" ... and you're there.

If you are still having problems (you shouldn't, I have checked it several times) you can simply email your comments to:

CNDproposal@fns.usda.gov

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15. Rabbi Reassesses 'What is Kosher' in View of Agriprocessors Controversies

http://www.jewishinstlouis.org/page.aspx?id=144166&page=7

Ask Rabbi Ari
Send your questions anonymously to Rabbi Ari Vernon, Click here.

Agriprocessors: What's "Kosher?" What's Not?

http://www.jewishinstlouis.org/page.aspx?id=144166&page=7

Dear Rabbi Ari,

I'm hearing all the stories about Agriprocessors, the kosher meat processing plant in Iowa - raided for hiring hundreds of illegal immigrants, accused of breaking child labor laws, inhumane treatment of workers, etc. As a Jew, I'm embarrassed and angry. We tell the world "kosher" standards are set by "a higher authority." Yet look what this plant has been accused of. Shouldn't Jews let the world know we are outraged and that this is not acceptable?

Sincerely,

Concerned About Kosher

Dear Concerned,

I too am dismayed about the same concerns you have about Agriprocessors, and I have several thoughts on the subject. The first is to be wary of what is reported in the news media. There are multiple sides to every story. Our free press, which usually reports the truth, is not immune to embellishing and exaggerating the headlines to sell papers, magazines, subscriptions, and advertising. Because I am entirely dependent on the media for details, I'm going to withhold specific criticism about Agriprocessors. They are obligated, like any company, to follow the law. If it turns out they violated the law, they should be prosecuted and punished.

Your deeper question about the intersection between Jewish law and ethics has been an ongoing "conversation" for some time. It is a theological debate over the definition of ethics. Can a person act "more ethically" by following the laws that God commands? In the last few centuries, several groups have emerged out of the traditional community in response to a sentiment -- there is more to ethics that
just following Jewish law. The Hasidic movement, founded by Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, and the Mussar movement, founded by Rabbi Israel Salanter, were both efforts to reform the traditional world and re-invigorate Jewish ritual observance with a greater sense of ethical obligation.

Unfortunately, there are still many Jews who carefully adhere to the letter and spirit of the law and even go beyond it when it comes to ritual practice, but who push Jewish law to its limits when conducting their business.

When we think of kashrut, we often think of higher moral and ethical standards for the production of our food products and, in the case of meat, the treatment of the animals as well. In reality, however, the measure of the kashrut of meat is based entirely on the health of the animal and the way it was killed. Meat products may be kosher for eating regardless of the working conditions of employees, the
manufacturer's hiring or business practices, or most of the conditions in which the animals are kept. That is why liberal Jewish movements have been working on a certification system that would recognize producers of kosher products for not only fulfilling the letter of the law but for going beyond it as well.

Finally, there is the question of eating meat altogether. We have the ability to choose what we eat, and while our American diet would seem to imply otherwise, there is no physical need to eat meat. In fact, it is far healthier for us and far better for the environment for us to abstain from meat.

According to traditional interpretation of the Torah, humans were originally intended to be vegetarian and were only later permitted to eat animals. In Temple times, we were only supposed to eat the leftovers from animals that were sacrificed to God. Throughout most of history, the value of livestock and the relative cost of eating them made it an extreme delicacy that was reserved for Shabbat and
Holidays, and even then we usually ate the more readily available and less costly chicken. Only in modern times - with our efficient methods of raising, slaughtering, processing and distributing meat that have distanced the average consumer from everything but consumption - has meat become so regular a staple.

So, considering the health and environmental impact of eating meat as well as the treatment of the animals we eat, the question really isn't whether we should boycott one particular slaughtering and processing company but whether we should even eat meat at all.

Keep the Faith,

Rabbi Ari Vernon is a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary, the Rabbi of Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Community, and has served as the Director of Secondary Education at CAJE and Director of the St. Louis Jewish Community High School working with teen and youth workers to improve the quality and number of opportunities for local Jewish teens to explore and connect with Judaism. He is the proud father of Lev and Eiden and is married to Rabbi Annie Belford of Congregation Shaare Emeth. He enjoys playing guitar, reading sci-fi novels, and spending time with his family and their dog, Kaylee.

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16. Video Has D'var Torah Based on Torah Teachings

Hi Richard,

I thought you'd appreciate this seven minute video dvar-Torah I recorded on this week's parsha called "Kindness to animals in this week's Torah portion [Ki Teitze]."

I hope you enjoy.

Kol tuv,

Adam Leventhal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wo71pJX_Qo

[I found the 7 minute video very interesting and instructive.]

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17. Jewish Groups Express Concerns re Agriprocessors Charges

August 8, 2008

Jewish groups add voices to green concerns

Ed Stoddard

Reuters

http://blogs.reuters.com/environment/2008/08/08/jewish-groups-add-voices-to-green-concerns/

Published: 09/09/2008

Following the filing of criminal charges against Agriprocessors, the Orthodox Union may withdraw its kosher certification of the company.

On Tuesday, the O.U. announced it would withdraw certification from the kosher meat company, the nation's largest, unless new management is hired.

The announcement came just hours after Iowa's attorney general filed criminal charges against Agriprocessors and its owner, Aaron Rubashkin, for child-labor violations.

"Within the coming days, or lets say a week or two, we will suspend our supervision unless there's new management in place," said Rabbi Menachem Genack, the O.U.'s head of kosher supervision.

On Tuesday, the attorney general's office charged Rubashkin, his son Sholom, and three human resources employees with more than 9,000 violations of Iowa's Child Labor law, according to a statement from the attorney general's office.

Former workers had alleged child labor violations at Agriprocessors almost immediately after a massive immigration raid at the plant in Postville, Iowa, the country's largest kosher meatpacking plant. The company has denied having knowingly hired underage workers.

“All of the named individual defendants possessed shared knowledge that Agriprocessors employed undocumented aliens," said the affidavit filed Tuesday in Allamakee County District Court. "It was likewise shared knowledge among the defendants that many of those workers were minors. The company's hiring practices encouraged job applicants to submit identification documents which were forgeries, and known to contain false information as to resident alien status, age and identity.”

The alleged violations, which date back to September 2007, are each punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of between $65 and $625, the attorney general's office said. An initial court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 17.

Agriprocessors has been under the gun since a raid on May 12 resulted in the arrest of nearly 400 employees on illegal immigration charges. Following the raid, employees alleged they were shorted on pay, forced to work long hours and were the targets of sustained sexual harassment.

In May, the company announced that the Postville plant's manager, Sholom Rubashkin, would be replaced. Months later, Rubashkin is still a regular presence at the plant and no replacement has been named.

The attorney general's complaint represents the first criminal charges to be brought against the company's owner and senior management.

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18. Action Alert: Chance to Sign a Petition to the UN Urging End of Animal-Based Agriculture to Reduce World Hunger

Forwarded message from the European Vegetarian Union (EVU)

Please sign the petition here:

http://www.evana.org/UN/sign.php?lang=en

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~------------------

Petition Text:

Dear Mr. Secretary-General,

In 1996, the "Rome Declaration of World Food Security" reaffirmed "the right= of everyone to have access to safe and nutritious food". The signatories also pledged their political will "to eradicate hunger in all countries."

In 2008, malnutrition and starvation in many parts of the world are not only increasing but are set to reach new peaks of suffering. Dwindling and wasted crops, soaring prices, unsustainable farming practices are just some of the factors which combine to put vulnerable people at life-threatening risks.

It is not acceptable that even in a grim situation with hunger and malnutrition killing nearly six million children each year, huge percentages of available crops are still being fed to farm animals.

In the name of humanity, a responsible global community can no longer afford to invest 7-16 kg of grain or soya beans, up to 15,500 liters of water, and 323 m2 of grazing land in the production of just one kilo of beef for those with the means to pay for it. More accessible and sustainable avenues to secure food for all are desperately needed.

Unfortunately, even though the experts of the FAO consider 'Livestock a major threat to environment', they merely recommend different farming techniques, some of which entail the risk of damaging an already vulnerable environment even more, perhaps beyond repair.

All hungry people, many million of vegetarians and those looking for wholesome alternatives to destructive traditions have the right to expect from decision makers, governments and international bodies a scientific investigation of all available options, including vegetarianism. This resource- and life-saving lifestyle is worthy of unbiased research and promotional effort, not last because of its potential to decide the raging battle of 'food vs feed' in favour of humanity.

For this reason, we appeal to the United Nations and its agencies to stop ignoring vegetarianism and instead study its multi-faceted benefits, with the aim of incorporating them into future strategies for a world without hunger.

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19. Horrible Abuses of Animals in Greece

Thanks to JVNA advisor Rn Landskroner for forwarding the following to us:

This article contains incredibly shocking and sad (what an insufficient word in this case) photos and description of animal cruelty in Greece. But people need to know.

http://www.abolitionist-online.com/interview-issue05_street.animals.greece.marijo.g.shtml

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20. Marvelous Video Shows Mistreatment of Farmed Animals

http://www.chooseveg.com/animal-cruelty.asp?gclid=CJ2MkIWB1JUCFQZqswod-31sig

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