May 31, 2009

5/31/2009 JVNA Online Newsletter

Shalom everyone,

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

1. New Internet Web Site for Jewish Social Justice Sources Established

2. My Open letter to President Obama Urging Him To Become a Vegetarian

3. Statement by JVNA Activist to Her Discussion Group re Eating Meat

4. Green Zionist Alliance Collection of Videos on Israel's Environmental Problems

5. Environmentally-Friendly Community Being Built in Israel

6. Powerful Vegetarian Documentary Released

7. You Can Sign a Petition That Advocates That People Stop Rating Meat

8. Global Warming Threatens Public Health

9. Documentary Considers All Phases of Meat Production

10. Quotation Provides Food for Thought

11. New Group Stresses Immediate Actions Needed to Address Climate Change

12. New Podcasts Have Interviews With Leading Vegetarian Activists Howard Lyman and David Cantor

13. New Journal on Animal Ethics Seeks Articles and Reviews

14. Global Climate Change Leadership Summit Scheduled

15. More on Weekly Veggie Day in Ghent, Belgium

16. Global Climate Event Scheduled for October 24/Make it a Global Warming Shabbat?


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. New Internet Web Site for Jewish Social Justice Sources Established

Subject: Announcing On1Foot: Jewish Texts for Social Justice


Original Message ----- From: "American Jewish World Service" jws@ajws.org

This looks like a great source for information and also for spreading vegetarian messages. My quick scanning did not reveal many vegetarian-related quotes, but there are possibilities for our inputs.

Thanks to JVNA Founder and president Jonathan Wolf for making us aware of this valuable new site.
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Forwarded message:

As we prepare to celebrate Shavuot, the holiday that marks the receiving of the Torah, AJWS is proud to present On1Foot (www.On1Foot.org), an educational resource that will help the Jewish community apply the Torah's wisdom to the pursuit of social justice.

On1Foot is an online, open source database of Jewish social justice texts. We invite you to visit www.On1Foot.org to explore this exciting new resource for Jewish social justice education.

On1Foot allows users to:

* Search and browse hundreds of biblical, rabbinic and contemporary Jewish > texts about social justice
* Upload new texts
* Comment on existing texts
* Create custom source sheets using the texts and suggested discussion > questions

We hope that On1Foot enriches your learning and teaching about Judaism and > social justice and look forward to your active participation on the site!

On1Foot is a project of American Jewish World Service and is co-sponsored by AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps, Hazon, Tzedek, Mechon Hadar and Uri L'Tzedek.

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American Jewish World Service
www.ajws.org
45 West 36th Street, New York, NY 10018
Tel: 212.792.2900

Copyright American Jewish World Service 2009. All rights reserved.

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2. My Open letter to President Obama Urging Him To Become a Vegetarian

Please consider writing similar letters. Thanks,.

January 20, 2009

President Barack Obama
Office of the President
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. NW
Washington, DC 20006

Dear President Barack Obama:

On behalf of the Veg Climate Alliance (www.vegclimatealliance.com), a group that represents the views of many environmental, health-related, vegetarian, animal rights and other groups in promoting a societal shift to plant-based diets as an essential step in responding to global warming and other current threats, I want to join many other people of good will in congratulating you on your historic election and wishing you the best of luck in all of your future activities.

In this critical time, when the US and the entire world face so many serious problems, we, along with so many others have been very impressed by your initial efforts to address today's urgent issues, and we wish you continued success.

We would like to very respectfully suggest an action that is seldom considered by our leaders, but one that can help dramatically in responding to many of today's threats -- that you (and possibly your wonderful family) seriously consider switching toward a vegetarian diet and that you urge the American people to also sharply reduce or eliminate their consumption of animal products. This would be consistent with your desire to re duce diseases by stressing prevention and the recent statement of Chicago Health Commissioner Terry Mason, whom you know, encouraging Chicagoans to join him in going vegetarian for at least January, 2009.

In your response to Nikki Benoit, that young lady in the “Vegan Outreach” T-shirt (http://vegclimatealliance.org/video-obama-tacklesagribusiness/), you showed that you are well aware of the issues. As you pointed out in that response, “Americans would benefit [health wise] from a change of diet.” At a time when there is an epidemic of diseases related to animal-based diets and medical costs are soaring, a shift to plant-based diets would reduce medical costs, and thereby help reduce the massive budget deficits that are currently projected and help enable you to carry out your objectives of providing tax cuts, improving our nation's infrastructure, and creating good jobs.

In your response, you also indicated that current food system is under enormous pressure in that so much grain is being fed to animals at a time when hunger is spreading, food prices are soaring and there have already been food riots in Haiti and other poor countries. In addition, at a time when droughts are spreading and increasing numbers of people will soon live in areas chronically short of clean water, an animal-based diet requires up to 14 times as much water as a vegan diet. Perhaps most important, as we increasingly see the effects of global climate change and when some climate scientists are projecting that global warming could spin out of control within a few years, with potentially disastrous consequences, unless major changes soon occur, a 2006 UN report “Livestock's Long Shadow” indicated that animal-based agriculture emits more greenhouse gases (in CO2 equivalents) than all the cars, planes, ships and other means of transportation worldwide combined (18% vs. 13.5%). That UN report projects that the number of farmed animals will double in the next 50 years, with the result that the increased greenhouse gas emissions would negate many positive changes and make it almost impossible to reach the greenhouse gas emission reductions that you and others seek.

As you know, in 2007, eleven retired U/S. generals and admirals indicated that global warming, by increasing the number of hungry, thirsty refugees fleeing global warming-related droughts, storms, flooding, diseases and wildfires, makes instability, violence, terrorism and war more likely. Hence, a societal shift toward plant-based diets could help you accomplish your desire to reduce terrorism and reach a more peaceful, harmonious world.

So, in many ways, a dietary shift by you and an education campaign to incr ease awareness of the urgency of a major shift toward plant-based diets would be a great step toward reaching many of your goals.

In addition, your response to Nikki Benoit mentioned the importance of getting more fruits and vegetables into school lunch programs and subsidizing healthier plant-based foods rather than animal products and processed foods, so we also hope you will follow up on these important initiatives.

One other thought: as you get a dog for your charming daughters, they would probably be happy to know that switching to nutritious, delicious plant-based foods can reduce the current mistreatment and slaughter of ten billion farmed animals in the US annually.

Thank you for your kind consideration. We would be very happy to provide further information and/or help in any other way. We believe that the future of the US and, indeed all future generations depends on your putting our suggestions into practice.

Very respectfully,

Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D.

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3. Statement by JVNA Activist to Her Discussion Group re Eating Meat

Please use the material below as a model to start chats on vegetarianism with your discussion groups and other groups. Thanks.

Forwarded message from vegetarian activist Sheila:

Hi Richard, I sent your press release "Animal-based Diets are Madness and Sheer Insanity" to my discussion group and it started an interesting discussion, during which I was able to make significant points about the importance of a switch toward vegetarianism. The idea is that this latest statement is based on the totally urgent situation regarding our planetary survival, so it's something new and very worthy of attention and careful consideration. I just think one thing is important, and that is to always give sources that they can access. And to keep things positive, like not being judgemental. Backing up the statements on global warming with sources, I thought mainstream press like Time magazine is best. Giving suggestions as to different veg material they can access, like lists of veg restaurants in the city, is very good.

This was my first email to the rabbi, to ask him if I could put it in: This is the latest release of Dr. Richard Schwartz. I would like to put it in the group chat. Would you feel fine about me putting this in? The situation is getting more urgent every day vis-a-vis global warming, and we must all do whatever we can now. This statement was released in on-line Tikkum. Thanks so much,

The rabbi asked me to introduce myself before I put the statement in, so this is what i sent:

Hi Friends, I am Sheila ______, who Rebbe David kindly invited to join this chat awhile ago. I have immensely enjoyed getting the emails of your synagogue, and it seems like so much of intelligence and goodness is going on.

I have been a vegetarian for a long time. Since it is becoming increasingly clear that impact of global warming was greatly underestimated, and we are facing the most serious threat to our global survival that has ever been known, we are all, I am sure, looking for the solutions. By many scientific reports, it is clear that the animal industry is hugely responsible for the greenhouse gas emissions, especially the very dangerous methane. The solution is also very clear: that the world population needs to become vegan preferably, and if not, vegetarian, very quickly. I am sending this latest press release from Dr. Richard Schwartz of Jewish Vegetarians of North America. He has been fully dedicated for many years to showing the Jewish mandate for vegetarianism. I think the point is now that because of the urgency of the situation, it is the time not only to be vegetarian, but to convince as many people as possible that this is the only sane path. I think we could adapt his suggestions to Canada, and send letters to Prime Minister Harper.Thanks so much, and all best wishes, Sheila
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This is my initital response to the woman who said she liked the idea, but it wasn't likely. Hi Celia, Thanks so much for your reply. I can understand that habit is deep, and people are reluctant to change. However, given the urgency of the situation, if people clearly see animal agriculture's contribution to global warming, I think they would prefer to forsake meat rather than give up our beautiful planetary home. That's really how serious it is! We just have to rely on people's intelligence to realize the truth. The reason the statement is made that a true environmentalist has to be a vegetarian, is because the connection between the meat industry and global warming is so strong. And it's the one thing we can do now, without any government action, is to just vote with our forks. Yes, I want to save this beautiful planet for present and future generations. The most important thing I can do is give up meat --- I will do it! If so many esteemed scientists and people that have researched the topic deeply come to this conclusion, and the evidence is so clear, that we do not have long now to keep talking about it. So many scientists are saying that the reality is much more serious than the worse case scenario we were earlier given. Since so much of global warming is caused by the meat industry, I will not support it anymore. We are relying on people's innate goodness and intelligence to save this incredible planet. Please help by adopting a vegetarian, and if possible, vegan diet. Thank you! Best wishes,Sheila

This is in reply when the rabbi said he found a new veg friendly supermarket, and another woman said she is veg and loves to take her friends to veg restaurants.
Hi Kim and Reb David, Introducing friends to vegan and veg food is great! Vancouver is such a veg-friendly city, you can find everything, and many of the substitutes are just like meat. There is a list of veg restaurants put out yearly by Earthsave, (http://www.earthsave.ca/vegdirectory), which can be downloaded an. Also, there are internet sites like Happy Cow (http://www.happycow.net/) that list veg restaurants according to cities, and are happy to have updates. Also, there are many free resources as to veg recipes. One of them is http://www.suprememastertelevision.com/veg/ with daily cooking shows that can be downloaded free of charge. A peaceful vegan world, that would be paradise!! Let's do it together! All the best, Sheila

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4. Green Zionist Alliance Collection of Videos on Israel's Environmental Problems

http://www.greenzionism.org/resources/videos

The first (top) video is a portion of A SACRED DUTY that has environmental scenes related to Israel..

Message from Noam Dolgin, director of the Green Zionist Alliance:

This is part of a series of materials on Israel's environment we are trying to pull together for the Green Zionist Alliance website. Please let me know if you have any materials, programs, etc., that you think we should include. {I sent 2 articles.]

Thanks,

Noam Dolgin
Green Zionist Alliance
www.greenzionism.org

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5. Environmentally-Friendly Community Being Built in Israel

For information, please visit:

http://www.givoteden.com/?CategoryID=270

This is not an endorsement, since we know little about the builder, the area, etc. But many of the ideas for reducing environmental impacts seem very good.

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6. Powerful Vegetarian Documentary Released

I have seen the moivie “A Delicate Balance,” and I highly recommend it! Background material about the movie is below. It dramatically and effectively presents many insights on vegetarianis and related issues.

A Delicate Balance - The Truth is a feature length documentary that reveals the links between the consumption of animal proteins and the onset and development of significant diseases of affluence, such as Cancer, Heart Disease and Diabetes, to name a few. This film also highlights the connection between animal agriculture and climate change, revealing how the production of certain foods has a vast impact on our environment. Created by first-time Australian director Aaron Scheibner, A Delicate Balance features prominent and respected professionals who highlights their research and findings to scientifically and medically support the information presented in the film.

More information can be found at www.adelicatebalance.tv. The film is available for online viewing for only $4.95. The website is soon to launch a goal of 4000 online viewings to be reached before August 1st, in an attempt to support film promotion and social education. If this goal is not reached the film will not be as readily available in its present state. Be part of this cause by watching the film online, or set up a local screening. If you want to set a up a screening email Tara Lomax at mailto:screenings@adelicatebalance.tv.

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7. You Can Sign a Petition That Advocates That People Stop Rating Meat

I and author and JVNA advisor Dan Brook have just read and signed the petition: Stop eating Meat, Fleischverbot, Contre la viande, No a la carne

You can view this petition at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/tell-a-friend/4302424

Message from Dan Brook:
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Hi, I signed the petition "Stop eating Meat, Fleischverbot, Contre la viande, No a la carne". I'm asking you to sign this petition to help us reach our goal of 10,000 signatures.
-----

ThePetitionSite.com provides tools and empowers individuals to make a difference and effect positive change through online activism. Get connected with the causes you care about, take action to make the world a better place, and start your own petition at http://www.ThePetitionSite.com!

ThePetitionSite.com is powered by Care2, the largest and most trusted information and action site for people who care to make a difference in their lives and the world.www.care2.com

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8. Global Warming Threatens Public Health

Public Health Leaders Stress Climate Risk

by Ben Block on May 20, 2009

http://www.worldwatch.org/node/6112?emc=el&m=245804&l=7&v=46f8229e94

Thanks to JVNA advisor Ron Landskroner for forwarding this material:

When seasonal rains lift from the Mali skies, meningitis often follows. Dust-filled winds can elevate the disease's effects by damaging tissue in a person's nose or throat. If longer droughts become more common, as expected across the Sahel, the epidemic could intensify, researchers say.

Connections between climate change and public health are not unique to West Africa. Worldwide, generations are expected to suffer as a result of historical and future greenhouse gas emissions, and the poor are most at risk.

Last week, a leading medical journal urged society's caretakers to better adapt to a warmer planet, calling climate change "the biggest global health threat of the 21st century."

"We call for a public health movement that frames the threat of climate change for humankind as a health issue," The Lancet said in an editorial on Friday. "Apart from a dedicated few, health professionals have come late to the climate change debate."

Heat waves and the spread of tropical disease are often mentioned as the leading health risks associated with climate change. But it was the indirect effects of water scarcity, shifting food resources, and extreme weather that led The Lancet, in collaboration with the Institute for Global Health at University College London, to sound the alarm. These threats now cause an estimated 150,000 deaths each year in low-income countries, according to the World Health Organization.

The editorial is a significant statement for the public health community. With few comprehensive assessments of the effects of climate change on health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, researchers often disagree about the extent that human-caused climate change affects health, said Susan Polan, the associate executive director of theAmerican Public Health Association.

In addition to a renewed public health advocacy movement, The Lancet recommended that global leaders expedite development efforts in the poorest countries. The advice echoes the suggestions of an independent report on adaptation released by a Stockholm-based commission at the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development last week.

The Commission on Climate Change and Development, comprised of international development, research, and governmental leaders, urges donor countries to add $1-2 billion to their total spending on foreign aid (a rarely actu alized commitment of 0.7 percent of gross national income). The funding should be targeted to vulnerable low-income countries, especially in Africa and small island states, for technical support, institutional coordination, and climate warning systems, the Commission said.

"Money is needed now, and more will be needed in the future to help developing countries adapt," the report stated [PDF]. "If we fail, [the next generation] will be worse and will be more limited. If we succeed, we will have provided them at least a better chance."

The funds requested by the commission match what developed countries already promised for least-developed countries in 2001. The voluntary agreement, however, has so far attracted less than $200 million, none of which is from the United States, which did not ratify the treaty.

"It's sad to me that the richest country, the biggest [historical] contributor to climate change, has not dedicated one penny to this fund," said Saleemul Huq, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Environment and Development,at an adaptation conference in Washington, D.C., in April.

As public health concerns swirl around the specter of a flu pandemic, Friends of the Earth International Chair Meena Raman said that rising sea levels, displaced communities, and additional climate change effects posed an even larger threat to society's health.

"The pandemic is likely to be a pimple compared to the pandemics worldwide likely to be caused by the diseases of climate change," Raman said. "Those of us who have the capacity should not be asking, 'Are we ready?' but 'What should we do?'"

Ben Block is a staff writer with the Worldwatch Institute. He can be reached at bblock@worldwatch.org.

This article is a product of Eye on Earth, Worldwatch Institute's online news service. For permission to reprint Eye on Earth content, please contact Juli Diamond at jdiamond@worldwatch.org.

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9. Documentary Considers All Phases of Meat Production

Thanks to JVNA advisor Ron Landskroner for forwarding this information:

From one of the best, all-time documentary filmmakers. Timelier than ever. [even though it was produced many years ago.]

http://www.zipporah.com/films/33
<>

Several comments on the movie follow:

“MEAT” is a study of one of America's largest feed lots and packing plants, and both is and isn't what you expect it to be. Wiseman shows us how cattle are auctioned, the operations of a feeding lot, the care and feeding of the animals, the storage and packing of meat, and even union meetings and pricing arrangements. As always he treats his viewer as a person of intelligence who can put together his own pattern of meaning without narration. And as always he leads us to probe ourselves to see how we feel about what we are seeing on the screen. Like Wiseman's earlier films, MEAT is disturbing, revealing, surprising - and masterful cinema.

-Ken Wlaschin, London Film Festival Programme, 1976

MEAT's commonplace inferno is the most extraordinary visual material in any of Wiseman's 10 films on American institutions.

-David Denby, The Boston Phoenix

Wiseman's most visually lacerating documentary…

-James Wolcott, The Village Voice

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10. Quotation Provides Food for Thought

Whenever a new discovery is reported to the scientific world, they say first, "It is probably not true." Thereafter. when the truth of the new proposition has been demonstrated beyond question, they say, "Yes, it may be true, but it is not important." Finally, when sufficient time has elapsed to fully evidence its importance, they say, "Yes, surely it is important, but it is no longer new."

Montaigne
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11. New Group Stresses Immediate Actions Needed to Address Climate Change

http://tcktcktck.org/

tcktcktck

The time is now to solve climate change.

On December 7th, 2009, our leaders meet in Copenhagen with an historic opportunity. We've come together across organisations and generations-as grandparents, parents and children-to show global support for a fair and equitable deal to solve the climate crisis.

We Say Yes!
Thanks for adding your voice to show global support for a bold deal to sol ve the climate crisis.

Help grow the campaign by telling a friend.

Be sure to add our email (web@tcktcktck.org) to your contact list so that our updates get to you.

The time is now to solve climate change.

We say yes to our leaders for bold action on climate change.
We show support connecting across the generations.
We all do our part, pursuing lifestyle changes to lower our impact.

About the campaign

The 'tck tck tck' campaign aims to organize mass public support for a fair and equitable outcome at the UN's Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 15) in Copenhagen, December 2009.

A child affected by climate changeThe climate crisis is reaching its peak. Our actions will determine the future of our planet, and the 'tck tck tck' campaign is urging everyone to join the movement to prevent catastrophic impacts from global warming.

The 'tck tck tck' campaign brings together an unprecedented alliance of faith groups, NGOs, trade unions and individuals at this crucial time to call for a new international treaty that will save the planet from the dangerous effects caused by climate change. As world leaders prepare to strike a climate deal in Copenhagen in December, tcktcktck will harness the voices of the people to demand an ambitious, fair and binding new international agreement that reflects the latest science. Time is running out. Show your support by joining the campaign.

“The 'tck tck tck' campaign is a call to action - a rallying cry for everyone to get involved. We want people to feel a sense of ownership - it's a movement in which everyone has a chance to get involved.”

Partners

tck tck tck is a global movement for a unified voice against climate change. The combined efforts of millions of people, including you, and our member organizations will deliver a clear message that we demand meaningful leadership and action against climate change.

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12. New Podcasts Have Interviews With Leading Vegetarian Activists Howard Lyman and David Cantor

New Audio for the VSSE podcast:

Howard Lyman and Jerry Cook have a conversation about the effects on the environment associated with our current day animal production. (factory farming). They also chatted about swine flu, the subsidies associated with the fast food hamburgers, transportation associated with feed lots
and our foods, effects of deforestation and a bit about Mad Cow Disease. More info at p://www.madcowboy.com/

http://h2opodcast.com/vsse.html#hljc

There are also links to three other Howard Lyman Interviews by the Animal Voices Podcast: http://www.animalvoices.org/

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The VSSE podcast has a Facebook presence. You can send me your friend suggestions and join the group here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=40863727638 Please spread the word that the podcast exists; share with your "Environmentalist" friends. Alsowe have a FB Event for the Howard Lyman and Jerry Cook Discussion:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1104159359&ref=nf#/event.php?eid=98612497880&ref=mf

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David Cantor the Executive Director of Responsible Policies for Animals is Interviewed in English/Spanish by Susan Soltero of Radio WALO: http://h2opodcast.com/vil/spanish.html

Cristina Sebastian has submitted another Spanish Language podcast on the subject of "The Livestock industry and climate" Part 2. And next month we'll have part 3. Please make sure to pass these great audio messages along to your Spanish Speaking friends: http://h2opodcast.com/vil/spanish.html

The International Languages Vegetarian podcast has a great new podcast by Cristina Sebastian: http://h2opodcast.com/vil/spanish.html#003 If you
speak Spanish or have friends that speak Spanish have them give the podcast a listen. Also In English Cristina included this information on an important report we should all read "The Livestock industry and climate. EU makes bad worse":
http://www.jensholm.se/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/meat_climate_report.pdf

If you know of people that speak other languages please refer them to me so we can search for existing Vegetarian Podcasts in their language so I can link to them or we can create Audio Messages on Vegetarianism in their language if not exist. You can refer them to: NoMeat@h2opodcast.com

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I need help with with the VSSE podcast. This podcast is a community effort and the project can definitely benefit with the liberal sharing of "YOUR VOICE." I have material waiting to be read on the Environmental Reasons the world needs to TRANSITION toward a plant based diet so please contact me (NoMeat@h2opodcast.com) so we can discuss how you can
read for the podcast. Here is more material on this subject:
http://h2opodcast.com/wtp.html

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keep it in mind that the best way to listen to the audio is to subscribe to the free podcast by downloading a free copy of the iTunes program at:
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/ You would then proceed to insert the VSSE RSS feed (http://h2opodcast.com/rss/vsse.xml) into iTunes to
complete the free subscription process. If you don't feel like doing that just click on the individual links at the
http://h2opodcast.com/vsse.html site and listen directly from the internet or right click, save to your computer and upload to your mp3 player.

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Forwarded message from RPA Director David Cantor:

Share Freely

Responsible Policies for Animals Members & Friends!

By clicking on the International Languages Vegetarian Podcast page --

http://h2opodcast.com/vil/spanish.html

-- you can now here the April 13th radio interview I did with Susan Soltero of WALO Radio in Puerto Rico!

The show is called "Aciencia Cierta" -- "True Science" -- because I explain how our land-grant universities' meat-industry programs ("animal science") promote delusional thinking resulting in inhumane treatment of animals, poor human health, and ecocatastrophe. Science shows that humans evolved as herbivores and reveals massive problems linked to meat.

The interview runs about 25 minutes. If you do not know Spanish, don't worry -- I don't, either, so the questions are put to me in English. You'll hear the first question not long into the show.

Many thanks to Joseph Puentes for making it possible to share the interview beyond the reach of WALO's airwaves! Below are some additional UR L's reflecting Joseph's crucial work promoting plants-only eating, peace, and other vital causes.

Enjoy! Keep well! Donate when you can!

David Cantor
Founder & Director
Responsible Policies for Animals, Inc.
P.O. Box 891
Glenside, PA 19038
215-886-RPA1
RPA4all@aol.com
www.RPAforAll.org
www.ExpertsOfConscience.org
www.EatForSports.org

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13. New Journal on Animal Ethics Seeks Articles and Reviews

Forwarded message:

Journal of Animal Ethics

The new multidisciplinary and international Journal of Animal Ethics will be published in 2010 by the University of Illinois Press in partnership with the Ferrater Mora Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics. This will be a journal of inquiry, argument, and exchange dedicated to exploring the moral dimension of our relations with animals. Its aim is to put animals on the intellectual agenda and to stimulate discussion within academic and professional institutions. It will be multidisciplinary in nature and international in scope, as well as peer-reviewed. It will cover theoretical and applied aspects of animal ethics -- of interest to academics from the humanities and the sciences, as well as professionals working in the field of animal protection. The Journal will comprise: full-length scholarly articles, shorter articles, "Argument" pieces in which authors will advance a particular perspective (usually related to current affairs) or respond to a previous article, review or research report, as well as review articles and reviews. The Editors will be Professors Andrew Linzey and Priscilla N. Cohn, who are looking for articles (3-5,000 words), "Argument" pieces (1-2,000 words), reviews and review articles that have relevance to the ethics of our treatment of animals. Guidance for authors will shortly appear on the Centre's website: www.oxfordanimalethics.com

Contributions should be sent via email to the co-editor, Professor Andrew Linzey, at director@oxfordanimalethics.com, who would also be pleased to discuss potential contributions. Books for review should be sent to the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, 91 Iffley Road, Oxford OX4 1EG.

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14. Global Climate Change Leadership Summit Scheduled

02/06/2009
Local Government Climate Change Leadership Summit

On 2-4 June 2009, local politicians and senior local government officials from almost 160 countries and representatives from national governments will gather in Copenhagen for the Local Government Climate Change Leadership Summit. They will meet at the Summit with a view to engage in a national-local dialogue and to offer a partnership to reduce GHG emissions. The Summit is a milestone in the Local Government Climate Roadmap.
************************************************************Leadership Summit
On 2-4 June 2009, local politicians and senior local government officials from almost 160 countries and representatives from national governments will gather in Copenhagen for the Local Government Climate Change Leadership Summit. They will meet at the Summit with a view to engage in a national-local dialogue and to offer a partnership to reduce GHG emissions. The Summit is a milestone in the Local Government Climate Roadmap.

It is the position of local government organisations, such as United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), Metropolis, the C40 Climate Leadership Group, and the World Mayors Council on Climate Change (WMCCC), that a post-2012 agreement should contain language urging national governments to better integrate, adequately equip and strategically support local governments in efforts ameliorate climate change and its effects.

The key messages of the Local Government Climate Roadmap are:

o The Parties shall recognise the role of cities and local authorities in the implementation of National Climate Change Strategies and Action Plans.

o The Parties are committed to engage with the local authority leadership and/or their local authority associations to provide enabling structures and effective framework conditions for climate cooperation with cities and local authorities.

o The Parties shall empower cities and local authorities so that they have the abilities, the capacities and the resources required to take necessary action at the local level and to support the Parties in their efforts to meet the agreed targets and to implement local climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.

o The Parties shall include local authority delegates in the national delegation to the Conference of Parties and relevant decision making processes hereafter.

The international sections of UCLG and ICLEI, and European associations and networks of local and regional authorities such as the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), Eurocities, Climate Alliance and Energie-Cités are also fully involved in the Road Map process. Other partners in the Summit are the European Commission, The Standing Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE), UN-Habitat, OECD and The World Bank.

In parallel with the Summit, Local Government Denmark has developed a concept for a Google Earth facility andfor thematic stands.

Cities, municipalities and regions from the international community will be given the opportunity to present their initiatives and best practises within the areas mitigation, adaptation, clean technologies, adaptation technologies, reduction targets and reductions in greenhouse gas usage in buildings and the transport sector. The two products will be presented at the Summit and will currently be updated for COP15. in Copenhagen in December 2009 and the EXPO2010 in Shanghai.
In cooperation with the Danish municipalities, Local Government Denmark has developed a Local Climate Map, where Danish municipalities present their initiatives and best practises for a international audi ence. Additionally, and in continuation of the Summit in June, delegates will be given the possibility to visit Danish municipalities.

Source: http://en.cop15.dk/calendar/show+activity?activityid=353
02/06/2009 00:00 - 04/06/2009 00:00

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15. More on Weekly Veggie Day in Ghent, Belgium

Forwarded messages from vegetarian activists Carolin Gschwilm and Herma Caelen:

I got some interesting infos on Veggie Day in Ghent from EVA who organized it, for your reference. There are several European countries where veg societies are already trying to follow their example. In Germany, some groups like the German Veg Society and PETA are aiming at making Hamburg the first city with a weekly Veggie Day. There were already some media reports on this in German papers. Besides, some background infos on this great initiative that are worth reading, see below:

************************************************************

"[EVA vzw] Tobias Leenaert"
Hi people,

The powerpoint presentation i gave in Dresden on this campaign is at http: //www.vegetarisme.be/download/interndocs/powerpoints/Thursday%20meatout.ppt
Some more info in English is at www.vegetarisme.be/ghent

Let me know if there's anything I can do. Perhaps we can try to make this into something more European or international. I could ask Dr. Pachauri if he could do something with it. He's enthousiastic about the idea.

Best wishes
Tobias
EVA

************************************************************

Of course, the meatless Thursday in Ghent is a new and ingenious campaign but even the organizers may have felt somewhat overwhelmed by the huge media interest which the official kick-off created. We asked Tobias Leenaert from EVA about the background of the project and the enormous interest it created.
http://www.evana.org/index.php?id=44453&lang=en
http://www.evana.org/index.php?id=44580&lang=en
Note: We are collecting comments regarding the first official weekly meatless day
http://www.evana.org/index.php?id=44670&lang=en

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EVANA Interview with Tobias Leenaert from EVA, Belgium:
'We know that people's awareness of the issues concerning meat (and especi ally the global warming impact) is rising'

On 13 May 2009, Tom Balthazar, councilman for the health and environmental committee of Ghent, initiated the “Thursday Veggie Day” campaign, which has been organised in cooperation with the organization EVA (Ethical Vegetarian Alternative). Almost immediately after distribution of the press release announcing the weekly meatless days, an international reaction set in which even the organizers may not have expected.

We wanted to know more about this amazing new project and asked Tobias about details regarding the campaign background, its preparation and the worldwide echo.
=========================
15 May 2009

EVANA: Tobias, first of all we would like to congratulate you and your organization on this overwhelming success of the new “Thursday Veggie Day” campaign. Did you expect this enormous level of international attention?

TOBIAS LEENAERT: Not at all. I thought that, if we'd ever do an international press release, it should be now, because it really was a very new and original thing, but I never expected this kind of attention.

QUESTION: Do you think that the amazing media frenzy could have something to do with the fact that people everywhere have been waiting for courageous politicians to take the lead in meatless initiatives? Can you tell us a bit about more about the reactions?

ANSWER: We know that people's awareness of the issues concerning meat (and especially the global warming impact) is rising, and yes, perhaps many of them realize that something really serious needs to happen, and that it can only be fastened by some political courage.

The reactions we are getting are wonderful. There's not just the worldwide press attention, but there's also congratulations from groups and individuals from all over the world. People say they are inspired to imitate this idea, and that was actually our point with the press release. I think it's great that we showed that something like this is possible, and this precedent will make it easier for other groups and cities to do the same.

QUESTION: How did the project come about? Who had the idea? How long was the preparation phase?

ANSWER: Our Thursday Meatout campaign has been running for a year and a half now. We arrived at the idea of a weekly meatout by ourselves I believe, but later found out there's already meatless Mondays and meatout Mondays in the US.

QUESTION: How did you manage to get such a constructive first contact with the administration of Ghent? Was there immediate official interest or did you have a lot of convincing to do?

ANSWER: Well, what helped was that last year, we managed to convince IPCC chairman Rajendra Pachauri to come to Ghent (we just asked him, if you want to know how we did that), where he talked for the very first time at length about meat and global warming. Tom Balthazar, the councilman responsible for the environment, was there, and he got more and more convinced after that. We made contact with two of his staff who were also enthusiastic, and we suggested that they asked Balthazar if he would be prepared to officially proclaim Thursdays to be veggie days.

We're also proud to say that Dr. Pachauri got inspired by our veggie day idea and has been spreading it around the world.

QUESTION: But maybe some of the politicians are already vegetarians which helped to build up this constructive cooperation?

ANSWER: Not at all. Ghent, however, is a very vegetarian friendly city. We have 13 veg restaurants on a population of 240.000 people, which is better than any western city I know of.

QUESTION: Are your political partners mainly from the public health sector or are also experts on ecology involved?

ANSWER: Tom Baltazar, the councilman, is actually responsible for the four domains that we usually name as the four good reasons to be a vegetarian: health, environment, animal welfare and north-south relationships. So he was the one we had to get to.

QUESTION: One German paper declared Ghent as 'capital of vegetarians'. Your officials must be most pleased about this kind of PR for their city?

ANSWER: Yes, they seem thrilled. Actually I just heard the mayor on the radio and he pretended the campaign was all part of his big city marketing plan :-)

QUESTION: Are there any plans for veg* tourists who want to take part in the Ghent meatless Thurdays?
ANSWER: I hope they can read our Dutch vegetarian map of the town. It shouldn't be that difficult. But they can always contact us as well.

QUESTION: Can you tell us a bit more about the 'vegetarian capital'? How did this amazing variety of vegetarian shops and eateries come about?

ANSWER: Actually, I don't really know. It IS a progressive city though, with a very high number of students.

QUESTION: What cities have made inquiries with the idea of implementing meatless days themselves?

ANSWER: In Belgium a couple so far (Hasselt and Merelbeke). The Greens will submit a proposal for Leuven. We were emailed by Germans, by Animal Aid and Peta UK for more information because they may have plans of their own.

QUESTION: What is your advice for every vegetarian organization interested in following EVA's example to establish decisive contacts with the world of decision makers?

ANSWER: The climate is good for vegetarianism (no pun intended), but on the other hand, as an organisation you need to be credible. I think we are also the only vegetarian organisation in the world which is structurally funded by its national government (we started as a volunteer organisation and got funding later - we are entirely independent, mind you). We have worked for years on a credible and professional image. It helps to not be an animal rights organisation, as mainstream organisations and institutions are more likely to be interested in health and environmental arguments.

QUESTION: Does EVA work everywhere in your country? If not, are there plans to widen its scope so that similar arrangements can be made in other Belgian regions as well?

ANSWER: We definitely want to widen the scope and get as many cities involved as possible, and who knows, perhaps we may have a national weekly vegetarian day sometime. For now, our work area is Flanders (the Dutch speaking part of Belgium).

EVANA: Tobias, we at EVANA cross our fingers that this great initiative will flourish and expand in the years to come, and I thank you very much for having taken the time to answer our questions.

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16. Global Climate Event Scheduled for October 24/Make it a Global Warming Shabbat?

I just learned about a great global climate event on October 24th that the VCA should definitely join:
http://www.350.org/invitation
(I mean, we could all organize or join local events in our own countries and communities.)

Here the invitation letter:

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The Invitation

Dear World,

This is an invitation to help build a movement--to take one day and use it to stop the climate crisis.

On October 24, we will stand together as one planet and call for a fair global climate treaty. United by a common call to action, we'll make it clear: the world needs an international plan that meets the latest science and gets us back to safety.

This movement has just begun, and it needs your help.

Here's the plan: we're asking you, and people in every country on earth, to organize an action in their community on October 24. There are no limits here--imagine bike rides, rallies, concerts, hikes, festivals, tree-plantings, protests, and more. Imagine your action linking up with thousands of others around the globe. Imagine the world waking up.

If we can pull it off, we'll send a powerful message on October 24: the world needs the climate solutions that science and justice demand.

It's often said that the only thing preventing us from tackling the climate crisis quickly and equitably is a lack of political will. Well, the only thing that can create that political will is a unified global movement--and no one is going to build that movement for us. It's up to regular people all over the world. That's you.

So register an event in your community for October 24, and then enlist the help of your friends. Get together with your co-workers or your local environmental group or human rights campaign, your church or synagogue or mosque or temple; enlist bike riders and local farmers and young people. All over the planet we'll start to organize ourselves.

With your help, there will be an event at every iconic place on the planet on October 24-from America's Great Lakes to Australia's Great Barrier Reef--and also in all the places that matter to you in your daily lives: a beach or park or village green or town hall.

If there was ever a time for you to get involved, it's right now. There are two reasons this year is so crucial.

The first reason is that the science of climate change is getting darker by the day. The Arctic is melting away with astonishing speed, decades ahead of schedule. Everything on the planet seems to be melting or burning, rising or parched.

And we now now have a number to express our peril: 350.

NASA's James Hansen and a team of other scientists recently published a series of papers showing that we need to cut the amount of carbon in the atmosphere from its current 387 parts per million to 350 or less if we wish to "maintain a planet similar to that on which civilization developed."

No one knew that number a year ago-but now it's clear that 350 might well be the most important number for the future of the planet, a north star to guide our efforts as we remake the world. If we can swiftly get the planet on track to get to 350, we can still avert the worst effects of climate change.

The second reason 2009 is so important is that the political opportunity to influence our governments has never been greater. The world's leaders will meet in Copenhagen this December to craft a new global treaty on cutting carbon emissions.

If that meeting were held now, it would produce a treaty that would be woefully inadequate. In fact, it would lock us into a future where we'd never get back to 350 parts per million-where the rise of the sea would accelerate, where rainfall patterns would start to shift and deserts to grow. A future where first the poorest people, and then all of us, and then all the people that come after us, would find the only planet we have damaged and degraded.

October 24 comes six weeks before those crucial UN meetings in Copenhagen. If we all do our job, every nation will know the question they'll be asked when they put forth a plan: will this get the planet back on the path to 350?

This will only work with the help of a global movement-and it's starting to bubble up everywhere. Farmers in Cameroon, students in China, even World Cup skiers have already helped spread the word about 350. Churches have rung their bells 350 times; Buddhist monks have formed a huge 350 with their bodies against the backdrop of Himalayas. 350 translates across every boundary of language and culture. It's clear and direct, cutting through the static and it lays down a firm scientific line.

On October 24, we'll all stand behind 350--a universal symbol of climate safety and of the world we need to create. And at the end of the day, we'll all upload photos from our events to the 350.org website and send these pictures around the world. This cascade of images will drive climate change into the public debate--and hold our leaders accountable to a unified global citizenry.

We need your help-the world is a big place and our team is small. Our crew at 350.org will do everything we can to support you, providing templates for banners and press releases, resources to spread the word, and tools to help you build a strong local climate action group. And our core team is always just a phone call or e-mail away if you need some support.

This is like a final exam for human beings. Can we muster the courage, the commitment, and the creativity to set this earth on a steady course before it's too late? October 24 will be the joyful, powerful day when we prove it's possible.

Please join us and register your local event today.

Onwards,

Bill McKibben - Author and Activist- USA
Vandana Shiva - Physicist, Activist, Author - India
David Suzuki - Scientist, Author, Activist - Canada
Bianca Jagger - Chair of the World Future Council - UK
Tim Flannery - Scientist, Author, Explorer -Australia
Bittu Sahgal - Editor of Sanctuary magazine - India
Andrew Simmons - Environmental Advocate, St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Christine Loh - Environmental Advocate and Legislator - Hong Kong

P.S.-We need you to do something else, right away, that's pretty easy. Please forward this message to anyone you know who is even remotely appropriate. You can use our "tell-a-friend" tool import your e-mail addresses and send along this e-postcard to your friends and family:

This is such an important issue that I am planning a special press release advocating that Saturday, October 24 be considered a “Global warm ing Shabbat.” Suggestions very welcome. I plan to issue a JVNA press release, after checking with JVNA advisors. Thanks.

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The material on this site is provided for educational and informational purposes. It may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. It is being made available in an effort to advance the understanding of vegetarian, environmental, nutritional, health, economic, social justice and human rights issues etc. It is believed that this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have an interest in using the included information for educational or research purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. The information on this site does not constitute legal, technical or medical advice.

May 25, 2009

5/24/2009 JVNA Online Newsletter

Shalom everyone,

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

1. Happy Shevuot

2. Israeli Rabbi a Long Time Vegetarian Advocate

3. Report from Responsible Policies for Animals

4. Analysis of Health Benefits of Vegetarianism

5. Update on Rubashkins and Agriprocessors

6. Wonderful New Documentary Links Animal-based Diets to Global Warming

7. Chabad (Lubavitch) Event Involves a Vegan Dinner

8. National Geographic Considers The Coming Food Crisis

9. Green Week Conference 2009 Scheduled

10. Report: Global Warming Far Worse Than Expected

11. Action Alert: Help End Mass Pig Slaughter in Egypt


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. Happy Shevuot

Shavuot begins at sundown on Thursday, May 28.

Because the holiday commemorates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, many Jews stay up all of Thursday night hearing talks on Torah-related material and discussing the Torah. What a great time to consider that G-d's first dietary regimen was vegan (Genesis 1:29) and that there are many Torah teachings on treating animals with compassion, taking care of our health, preserving the environment, helping hungry people and other vegetarian-related issues. For more information, please see my article “Shavuot and Vegetarianism” in the holidays section at JewishVeg.com/Schwartz, and please consider using the points in the article for your own talking points. Thanks.

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2. Israeli Rabbi a Long Time Vegetarian Advocate

Forwarded message from the blog “heeb'n'vegan”

http://heebnvegan.blogspot.com/2009/05/rabbi-sperber-on-jewish-case-for.html

Michael Croland

5.16.2009

Rabbi Sperber on the Jewish Case for Vegetarianism

This afternoon, I saw Rabbi Daniel Sperber, a Bar Ilan University professor and the rabbi of Congregation Menachem Zion in the Old City of Jerusalem, speak in Manhattan. He focused primarily on why Jewish teachings point toward vegetarianism, saying he would've needed a whole course to give a full overview of the scheduled topic, "Kosher & Food Ethics: Exploring vegetarianism, meat production, fair labor and other food related ethical issues."

Rabbi Sperber focused on how meat consumption in the Jewish tradition is often portrayed as a concession that strays from the vegetarian ideal. He discussed the vegetarian diet in the Garden of Eden, the "lustful" context of meat cravings, and the vision of vegetarianism after the Messiah comes. He also mentioned Maimonides' view that the pain and anguish of animals are the same as the pain and anguish of humans. Rabbi Sperber said that people who know about animals' horrors in industrialized agriculture should be vegetarian, and those who don't should find out.

During both his talk and the Q&A, Rabbi Sperber brought up some other issues related to ethical eating. He described eating as a sacrament and suggested that the food we eat and all aspects of its production should adhere to our highest ethical standards. He briefly touched on the health and environmental benefits of vegetarianism, and he alluded to Uri L'Tzedek's new Tav HaYosher program and Magen Tzedek (formerly known as Hekhsher Tzedek) to say that we should also consider the treatment of workers as part of a comprehensive ethical food framework.

I asked Rabbi Sperber what steps people could take to learn more and transition toward an ethical diet. He suggested reading Rav Kook's A Vision of Vegetarianism and Peace and (if my memory serves me correctly) Richard H. Schwartz's Judaism and Vegetarianism. Ultimately, though, he said that people need to take it upon themselves to consider the Jewish case for vegetarianism and embrace ethical eating habits.

posted by heebnvegan @ 5/16/2009 11:30:00 PM

Name: Michael Croland Location: New York

I can be reached at mcroland@gmail.com.

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3. Report from Responsible Policies for Animals

Forwarded message from RPA Director David cantor:

Share Freely.

RPA Members and Friends!

Very special thanks to the small cadre of caring people who have been moving along Responsible Policies for Animals' 10,000 Years Is Enough campaign to get our land-grant universities (LGUs) out of the meat industry!

I sometimes wake up in the morning and wonder how a vast network of Earth's most prestigious and popular institutions of higher learning can persist in teaching meat-industry and human-supremacy ideologies destroying Americans' health, Earth's ecosystems, and animals by the trillions! Beliefs even more fetid than the billions of gallons of feces at hog factories and other facilities dotting the American landscape. Yet taught at universities!

Human beings are natural herbivores. That basic fact informs the 10,000 Years Is Enough campaign. Of the thousands of professors at the LGUs RPA has sent over 300 letters, 200 factsheets, and 50 books, none has refuted that or any other assertion by RPA.

The reason? What RPA says is based on thorough research and determination to serve the public interest, including the nonhuman public. The LGUs and their meat-industry partners -- in contrast -- primarily serve their own perceived interests.

Among the latest responses in the 10, 000 Years Is Enough campaign: Office of the Governor of Texas (Texas A&M University), Vice President of University of Florida, Maryland Secretary of Agriculture and State Veterinarian (University of Maryland), President of University of Connecticut. All being answered, of course!

KEEP IT UP! There is no way to eliminate meat as an institution -- a necessary objective before humane treatment of nonhuman animals can be a possibility -- without getting our LGUs out of the meat industry! It cannot be accomplished through shopping choices, common wisdom notwithstanding.

If you haven't yet dropped anyone a note in the 10,000 Years Is Enough campaign, don't miss out any longer! Your tax dollars fund the inhumane, health-destroying, ecosystem-disrupting meat industry regardless of your shopping choices. No expert, activist, official, author, or celebrity can take your place in changing that!

Have a great weekend! And thank you for your work and support!

Best wishes,

David Cantor
Founder & Director
Responsible Policies for Animals, Inc.
P.O. Box 891
Glenside, PA 19038, USA
215-886-RPA1
RPA4all@aol.com
www.RPAforAll.org
www.ExpertsOfConscience.org
www.EatForSports.org

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4. Analysis of Health Benefits of Vegetarianism

Dear Sir,
Thanks for sending me your monthly newsletters. I do appreciate it.

Below is a copy of my short article.

Hope the JVNA will find it worthy of publication in your newsletter.

Best Wishes,
Kehi.

CHANGE YOUR DIET - STAY HEALTHY.

Since the day God destroyed the Earth with water during the era of Noah and gave humans the authority to eat animals with conditions attached (Gen. 7: 17 - 24, Gen. 9: 2-5), the quest for animals as food has increased greatly; with total neglect to plant-based diets which are the original foods God created for humankind (Gen. 1: 29 -31).

Humans have improved technologically over the years and this has tremendously improved agriculture, which is the major source of food for people. But this very technology is geared more towards the growing and breeding of livestock (Animal agriculture) for the sake of meat, a diet humans desire so much, that they [fail to consider] its negative consequences health wise.

Animal based diets are the major cause of degenerative diseases like: strokes, Heart diseases, certain cancers, Obesity and so on. In fact, animal agriculture is more or less a menace to man because of its threat to mans heath and environment. Aside the negative implications of livestock to our environment through its contributions to global warming, the global food crisis, and the decline in fresh water supply; it is also responsible for the outbreak of major epidemics that have claimed many lives in recent years like; the avian flu influenza (Bird Flu), the swine flu disaster and so on.

If health is wealth and every human being needs to be healthy to stay alive, then the big question now is why would people stick to diets that could deprive them from being healthy, instead of eating diets that can make them live a healthy life? People eat animal-based diets for pleasure and not for nourishment. Eating for pleasure cannot be compromised with eating in order to stay healthy. Therefore, there is a need for people to rethink about whether eating should be made for pleasure or to stay healthy. If the decision favours the latter, then we all need to change our diet to plant-based diets which according to experts not only removes people from the risk of degenerative diseases, but can also repair the damages caused by eating meat. If this is the case, there is a need for health organizations and institutions to come up with policies that would be geared towards the reduction of meat-based diets and encourage the eating of plant-based diets which is much cheaper, healthier and a more convenient and efficient means of feeding the world.

It should be noted however, that staying healthy is a precursor to life and life itself is cherished by God Almighty (Deut. 30:19). As a result of this, living a healthy life is imperative to every person and the best way we can achieve this is by changing our diet to plant-based diets, a diet God has provided for humanity from ages ago to keep us healthy at all times (Daniel 1:8-16, Ezek. 4:9)

NWAKA, Kehi Harry

Email: chriskehis@yahoo.com

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5. Update on Rubashkins and Agriprocessors

Thanks to JVNA Secretary/Treasurer John Diamond and JVNA advisor Lewis Regenstein for sending us recent information about this:

http://jta.org/news/article/2009/05/18/1005226/new-charges-filed-against-rubashkin

New charges filed against Rubashkin
May 18, 2009


NEW YORK (JTA) -- Federal prosecutors filed a new 142-count criminal indictment against former managers of Agriprocessors.
The new filing, made Friday in U.S. District Court for Northern Iowa, replaces a 79-count indictment issued in March. Former plant manager Sholom Rubashkin and fellow managers now face 71 counts of harboring illegal immigrants, in addition to other charges.

Prosecutors dropped identity theft charges in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that would have made conviction on those charges difficult to achieve.
Agriprocessors was the nation's largest producer of kosher meat before a massive federal immigration raid last year resulted in the arrest of hundreds of its employees and set off a cascade of legal problems for the company, which ultimately filed for bankruptcy protection.

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6. Wonderful New Documentary Links Animal-based Diets to Global Warming

Forwarded message from Leron:

Vegan: the fastest way to cool our planet.

check it out
http://tinyurl.com/veganpart1of4
http://tinyurl.com/veganpart2

all the best,

leron

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7. Chabad (Lubavitch) Event Involves a Vegan Dinner

campus life
Student Center's Shabbat Dinner Goes Vegan

http://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/903001/jewish/Meat-Free-at-UK-Campus-Center.htm

In the English town of Brighton, known for its liberal air, the local Jewish Student Center provided guests with a completely vegan Shabbat dinner.
By Daniel Lowe, Chabaduk.com
May 21, 2009 8:30 AM

Edith Einhorn couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her granddaughter, who co-directs a Jewish Student Center on England's South Coast, would be doing the unthinkable: Making a Friday night meal without meat, or eggs, or any animal product of any kind.

“What? No gefilte fish? No chicken soup? Challah without eggs?” exclaimed the incredulous grandmother, who lives in Israel. “No kugel? No matza balls?!”

But according to students, the first-ever vegan Shabbat at the Dubbed by some as the “San Francisco of Britain,” the seaside town of Brighton is renowned for its liberal, laidback atmosphere. It's a haven for vegetarians and vegans - who shun all manner of fish, meat, dairy and egg products - boasting more than 50 establishments that cater to the community, from restaurants and cafes to pubs, specialist retailers and even a hotel.

And for kosher food of the vegetarian and vegan variety, more and more people are turning to the Lewises and their Chabad on Campus of South Coast, which serves the University of Sussex and schools from Canterbury to Southampton.

“Vegetarianism and veganism is probably accepted here more than anywhere in the United Kingdom,” attested Zalman Lewis, “perhaps even more than anywhere else in Europe.”

Every week, the Chabad House hosts Shabbat meals for between 15 and 30 students, who each have varying dietary requirements.

“Up to a quarter or more of our guests each week are vegetarians or vegans,” estimated Lewis, who makes sure that everyone has enough to eat.

Jewish law states that in order to ensure the proper Shabbat atmosphere, a person should enjoy their food. In that light, there is no explicit requirement that people eat meat or fish if to do so would cause displeasure. Challenging Menu

Robin Bagon, a student who swore off meat at the age of 16 and gave up all animal products three years ago, moved to Brighton for its vegan-friendly culture.

“Brighton isn't a bad place at all to be vegan,” said Robin, who attended last week's Shabbat dinner. “I usually have my own Friday night meal. Most of the time, it's vegetarian, whether at my house or with other friends. And when I go to Zalman and Shterna's, they're accommodating in terms of providing a vegetarian or vegan option.”

“We usually have a vegetable soup as an alternative to chicken soup and we have soya or tofu products for the main course,” said Shterna Lewis.

Still, to make an entirely vegan Friday night dinner can pose some challenges, especially for those accustomed to the traditional fare of gefilte fish, chicken soup and schnitzel. Even challah, kugel and matzah balls typically contain eggs.
But after consultations with their students, the Lewises decided to rise to the challenge as a way to expand their offerings for Jews of all stripes. The right moment came last week, after back-to-back Lag B'Omer barbeques showcasing grilled meats.

“After hosting the barbeques, it was unanimously decided to hold a vegan Friday night meal the next Shabbat,” said Zalman Lewis.

The “post-Lag B'Omer detox” also happened to coincide with the United Kingdom's National Vegetarian Week, which the Vegetarian Society established in 1992 to promote meat-free cuisine.

The rabbi said that the lack of meat wasn't a problem.

“But we had to get over the idea of not being able to use any eggs,” he said.

“Instead of regular challah,” stated Shterna Lewis, “I baked a water challah that was as good as any other. We ate it with plenty of hummus, chickpea salad, potato salad and lettuce salad in place of the usual fish course.”

The dinner progressed with zucchini soup filling in for the chicken-based variety. The soup was followed by rice, mushroom knish, roasted vegetables and tomato salad. An egg-free apple crisp was served as dessert.

“I think it was easier than making a regular Friday night meal,” reported Lewis.

Bagon left thrilled, and full.

“My veganism doesn't clash with my Judaism,” he asserted. “In fact, the Garden of Eden was a vegetarian paradise; no one was permitted to eat meat until after the flood.

“The vegan night was great. The food was brilliant,” continued Bagon. “I felt the night brought us one step closer to bringing in the Messianic era.”

Zalman Lewis might not have had such a spiritual reaction to the meat-free dining, but he said that they want students to feel that the Chabad House is a home away from home.

“We'll have to wait for Moshiach to come to discover what our diet will be,” he quipped. “For the time being, we're planning our next meaty barbeque. But we decided we'll do something like this on a regular basis.”

By Daniel Lowe, Chabaduk.com More articles... |

This article has been syndicated to Chabad.org by our sister site, chabad.edu

The content on this page is copyrighted by the author, publisher and/or Chabad.org, and is produced by Chabad.org. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you comply with the copyright policy.

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8. National Geographic Considers The Coming Food Crisis

Thanks to Jonathan Wolf, founder and first president of JVNA, for letting us know about this important article:

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/06/cheap-food/bourne-text

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9. Green Week Conference 2009 Scheduled

Forwarded message:

Welcome to the Green Week Conference 2009

The biggest annual conference on European environment policy turns the spotlight this year on the multi-faceted challenges of climate change.

* What are the prospects for reaching a new global deal to control climate change at the crucial Copenhagen conference in December?
* How can we best 'climate-proof' our economies against the impacts of present and future climate change?
* How can we create a carbon-free society by 2050?
* How can we ensure action to address climate change best serves conservation of the ecosystems that support life on Earth?

These are some of the many questions Green Week 2009 will be examining in three days of discussion and debate between high-level speakers from Europe and beyond.

Green Week is a unique opportunity for exchanges of experience and good practice.

Some 3,500 participants are expected from EU institutions, business and industry, non-governmental organisations, public authorities, the scientific community and academia

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/greenweek/home.html

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10. Report: Global Warming Far Worse Than Expected

Global warming may be twice as bad as previously expected


By Doyle Rice, USA TODAY

Global warming will be twice as severe as previous estimates indicate, according to a new study published this month in the Journal of Climate, a publication of the American Meteorological Society.

The research, conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), predicts a 90% probability that worldwide surface temperatures will rise more than 9 degrees (F) by 2100, compared to a previous 2003 MIT study that forecast a rise of just over 4 degrees.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2007 forecast a temperature rise of anywhere from 2 to 11 degrees by 2100 based on a variety of different greenhouse-gas-emissions scenarios.

The projections in the MIT study were done using 400 applications of a computer model, which MIT says is the most comprehensive and sophisticated climate model to date. The model looks at the effects of economic activity as well as the effects of atmospheric, oceanic and biological systems.

The improved economic modeling and newer economic data (which gives a lower chance of reduced emissions) are among the major changes from the 2003 model application.

Unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, "there is significantly more risk than we previously estimated," says study co-author Ronald Prinn of MIT. "There's no way the world can or should take these risks."

"The results appear to be credible and quantify a certain unease many scientists have on the real magnitude of the climate problem ahead of us, one that is not adequately appreciated by most politicians," writes Kevin Trenberth, a senior scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research and an IPCC lead author, in an e-mail.

"The difficulty of dealing with inertia in human systems and infrastructure, and the lack of current incentives and a global approach to the problem means that reducing emissions will be a major challenge for humanity," he added.

Funding for the study came in part in grants from the U.S. Department of Energy and by sponsors of MIT's Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change.

"To my knowledge, this is indeed the most exhaustive end-to-end analysis of climate change impacts yet performed," notes Michael Mann, a climatologist at Penn State University and also an IPCC author. "The results of the analysis are sobering, namely that we face a monumental challenge if we are to avoid dangerous interference with the climate system."

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11. Action Alert: Help End Mass Pig Slaughter in Egypt

Thanks to “A Sacred Duty” producer and JVNA advisor Lionel Friedberg for making us aware of this issue:

Please go to the following website and sign a letter urging Egypt's government to immediately cease the horrifically cruel mass culling of pigs.
Please!
Go to:

http://eactivist.com/eacampaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=24&ea.campaign.id=3557&ea.param.extras=Organization:WSPAUK

It is DEEPLY disturbing, please act urgently, it will take you only few minutes

Please note the attachment with template letter (please modify for stronger impact). Please see email below.

Please visit also the link http://www.varkensinnood.nl/forms/default.aspx?fid=17
you will find there a petition which is sent immediately to EGYPT Embassy in The Hague

-thank you for caring
Teresa

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** Fair Use Notice **

The material on this site is provided for educational and informational purposes. It may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. It is being made available in an effort to advance the understanding of vegetarian, environmental, nutritional, health, economic, social justice and human rights issues etc. It is believed that this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have an interest in using the included information for educational or research purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. The information on this site does not constitute legal, technical or medical advice.

May 21, 2009

5/17/2009 JVNA Online Newsletter

Shalom everyone,

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

1. Veggie Pride Parade Today/JVNA Taking Part

2. Shavuot and Vegetarianism

3. JVNA Advisor Rabbi Yonassan Gershom Publishes Book That Goes Where “No Rabbi Has Gone Before,” Finding Jewish and Vegetarian Connections to the Star Trek Stories

4. Documentary on Connections Between Animal-Based Agriculture and Global Warming to Premiere Today

5. Teva Center Schedules Environmental Events

6. Recent FARM (Farm Animal Rights Movement) Events

7. Gathering of Jewish Leaders Charts Sustainability Strategy in Jewish Community

8. Belgian City Plans Meatless Days

9. Challenging Article Re Denial of the impending Unprecedented Global Catastrophe

10. Survey About Veganism Completed

11. New Class on Starting a Green Business Announced

12. Excerpts from the All-Creatures.org Weekly eNewsletter

13. NY Interfaith Power and Light Initiates Campaign to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Levels


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. Veggie Pride Parade Today/JVNA Taking Part

As I have indicated in previous JVNA newsletters, I am scheduled to speak at this event (at 3:10 PM) and I plan to take part in the march and be at a JVNA table after the parade (at Union Square Park, North end, starting at 1 PM) and hand out many DVDs. I would love to meet any of you who will in the area today. Locations and times can be found in the URLs below. Volunteers to help will also be very welcome. Thanks.

-------------------------------------------------------
Forwarded message from event coordinator and VNA advisor Pamela Rice, who deserves much credit for her dedicated efforts in organizing this second annual event:

Dear Richard:

Following are the two Web pages that give people all the pertinent information:

Press release:
http://www.veggieprideparade.org/dept/program.2009.htm

Program guide
http://www.veggieprideparade.org/dept/program.2009.htm

Click on box with smiley face to download PDF of the program guide.

also....
HOME PAGE:
http://www.veggieprideparade.org/

Best regards,
Pamela Rice

ps: Thank you so much for your support. I truly appreciate it!

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2. Shavuot and Vegetarianism

Shavuot starts at sundown on Thursday, May 28. A sample letter to the editor is below. For further connections between Shavuot and vegetarianism that you can use for your own letters and talking points, please see my article “Shavuot and Vegetarianism” in the holiday section at JewishVeg.com/Schwartz. Thanks.
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May 14, 2009

Dear Editor,

Since Shavuot commemorates the Jewish people receiving the Torah, many religious Jews stay up the entire first night studying Torah. Hence, this important holiday provides a wonderful opportunity to consider if we are properly applying Torah values:

* Since the Torah teaches that we are to be shomrei ha'adamah (guardians of the earth - Genesis 2:15), shouldn't we do more in addressing the many current severe environmental threats?

* Since the Torah stresses that we should very diligently guard our health, shouldn't we consider the many negative health effects of animal-based diets?

* Since the Torah mandates the avoidance of tsa'ar ba'alei chaim (causing unnecessary pain to animals), shouldn't there be far greater concern about the horrible treatment of animals (10 billion annually in the US alone) on factory farms?

* Since the Torah mandates that we are to share with hungry people, shouldn't we address the fact that 70% of the grain produced in the United States is being fed to farmed animals, while an estimated 20 million people worldwidedie from malnutrition annually?

Let us make this Shavuot a time to begin truly applying Torah values in order to produce a more humane, healthy, environmentally sustainable, just and compassionate world.

Very truly yours,

Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D.

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3. JVNA Advisor Rabbi Yonassan Gershom Publishes Book That Goes Where “No Rabbi Has Gone Before,” Finding Jewish and Vegetarian Connections to the Star Trek Stories

Forwarded message:

Going Where No Rabbi Has Gone Before!

Rabbi Yonassan Gershom, an Orthodox member of JVNA's advisory committee, has a new book in print: "Jewish Themes in Star Trek." It's just what the title says: a reader-friendly journey to explore the influence of Jewish writers, actors, themes, and metaphors in the famous TV and movie series.

"There's a lot more Jewish material than most people realize," Gershom said. "Plus, Mr. Spock in the original 1960s Star Trek series was a vegetarian, as is the entire Vulcan culture. His character influenced me to eventually give up meat. Star Trek was the first TV show, as far as I know, that portrayed vegetarianism as a valid lifestyle."

Rabbi Gershom, who maintains a Jewish Star Trek site at http://www.trekjews.com, has serious concerns that the new 2009 Star Trek movie, will overwrite Spock's nonviolent culture. "The film has an alternate timeline plot that essentially pushes the re-set button on the whole Star Trek universe," he explains. "From a literary standpoint, I understand why they did this. New actors are playing the roles of the Enterprise crew, and film director J.J. Abrams didn't want them to become mere parodies of the old show. But I am concerned that the Jewish and nonviolence subtexts that Leonard Nimoy worked into Spock's background will be lost in the new timeline. Whether or not the Vulcans will be still vegetarians is anybody's guess."

This makes the rabbi's book, "Jewish Themes in Star Trek," an important record of what has gone before. You can order copies in hardcover, softcover or download directly from his storefront on lulu.com:

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=685386

If you order before May 31, you can get a 10% discount on print copies. Simply enter the code "MAYCONTEST10" at checkout. (Sorry, no discounts on downloads.)

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4. Documentary on Connections Between Animal-Based Agriculture and Global Warming to Premiere Today

INVITATION

On May 17th in New York, The Nicolaas G. Pierson Foundation (NGPF) will present the very first documentary on livestock farming's contribution to the emission of greenhouse gases, Meat the Truth. We hereby would ike to invite you to attend the New York premiere of Meat the Truth, which will be held at New York Film Academy [100 East 17 Street]. There will be two screenings: at 5 pm and at 7 pm. [Not positive, but I hope to attend the 5 PM showing and to hand out DVDs to the attendees.]

Meat the Truth, presented by the Dutch Party for the Animals' leader Marianne Thieme, forms an addendum to earlier documentaries on climate change, which failed to address one of the biggest causes of global warming.

Numerous reports produced by renowned scientists from the World Watch Institute, the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations, the Profetas project and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), were translated by researchers at the NGPF and the Free University Amsterdam into a concise visual document, which explains the impact of meat consumption on climate change, the use of natural resources and hunger in the world. The film acts as an erratum to earlier films on 0A climate change, such as Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth, which while convincingly drawing attention to the issue of global warming, failed to mention one of the most important causes thereof.

Meat the Truth demonstrates that worldwide the livestock industry is a far greater cause of global warming than all of the cars, trucks, planes and ships added together. The issues of the impact of livestock farming on water shortages and the unequal distribution of food resources are also raised in this documentary. The NGPF is the scientific bureau of the Party for the Animals; the worlds' very first party for 'non-humans' to be represented in parliament. Many celebrities participated in the making of Meat the Truth, such as Pamela Anderson, Bill Maher, Emily Deschanel, Tony Denison, James Cromwell, Elaine Hendrix, Kate Flannery , Debra Wilson Skelton, Joy Lauren, Esai Morales, Wayne Pacelle, Howard Lyman, and many others.

Date: May 17th 2009
Screening times: 5pm and 7 pm
Location: New York Film Academy Address: 100 E 17th Street, New York, NY
Admission: FREE!
RSVP: newyork@meatthetruth.com
www.meatthetruth.com

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5. Teva Center Schedules Environmental Events

Forwarded message from the Teva Center:

June 1-4, 2009

Cold Spring, NY

less than three weeks left

register now!

www.tevacenter.org/seminar

Join us for these exciting classes:

Garden Design with Jewish Farm School staff
Learn basic ecological design principles such as patterns in nature, zones of use and functional interconnectedness.

JNF's Israel and the Environment Programming
Experience Israel and the environment through fun and creative activities

Do You Eat Food? Jewish Food Education with Hazon staff
Consider how food is a deep seeded part of the Jewish tradition and be part of the conversation of teaching texts as living documents.

Solar ovens with Jonathan Dubinsky
Come learn how to harness the energy of the sun by building kid-friendly solar ovens

Curb Your Consumerism: Cultivating a Bal Tashchit Ethic for Today with Rabbi Kevin Kleinman
Draw on the insights of Jewish sages and commentators to explore the implications of biblical and rabbinic laws forbidding unnecessary waste and reckless destruction of resources in guiding the way we consume food, energy, and material resources in today's society.

A Divine Environment with Rabbi Jonah Steinberg
The Mishkan (tabernacle and temple) is the construction project par excellence in our traditional sources. Looking at texts that speak of shaping a holy dwelling place for God, how do we build responsibly today in a way that continues the work of creation of the world?

Song leading for non-song leaders with Yoni Stadlin
Come learn some ways to bring the gifts of music to your programs WITHOUT having to learn the F# major/minor scales.

Creating Eco-Rituals with Rabbi Jill Hammer
Come learn how to make our holiday and life-cycle rituals earth-conscious and earth-friendly

An Ecological Havdallah with Amy May

Learn how to connect to the Havdallah service in a new way using local products and spices you can grow yourself.

For more information contact Leora at seminar@tevacenter.org or (917) 939-9841

The Teva Learning Center is a program of Surprise Lake Camp and a beneficiary of UJA Federation of New York.

Thank you to our Partners:
Jewish Farm School
Hebrew College
Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center
Hazon
COEJL
With Financial Support from:

Lisa and Maury Friedman Foundation

$450 for bunks

$540 for cabin

$700 for hotel

Choose to become a certified Jewish Environmental Educator - Establish yourself as a professional in the field!

What past participants have said:

"An amazing opportunity to be in community with educators to learn, share and pray"

"A gathering of living and passionate individuals/groups whose cares and concerns include educating, environment and divinity in life."

The Teva Learning Center is proud to offset the costs of the Teva Seminar though Good Energy Initiative and JNF GoNeutral. Participants will have the opportunity to offset their travel carbon.

Teva Learning Center: 307 7th Ave, Suite 900, New York, NY 10001

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6. Recent FARM (Farm Animal Rights Movement) Events

Saving Lives...One Bite At a Time - May 11, 2009

Table of Contents

* We're Offering $40 AR2009 Rate Discount

* Vegan Earth Day Held In 130 Locations
* FARM Sabina Fund Awards 30 Grants

* Sign FARM's Petition to Repeal AETA

* Visit FARM On Social Networking Sites

[For further information, visit the FARM website.]

We're Offering $40 AR2009 Rate Discount

We decided that our members deserve a break today. So, we've extended your $120 rate to the Animal Rights 2009 National Conference till May 12.

To register, visit our Registration page, call 888-327-6872, or send a check to FARM/AR2009, 10101 Ashburton Ln, Bethesda MD 20817.

Our movement's largest and oldest annual gathering, AR2009 will be held on July 16-20th at the Westin LAX Hotel near LA Airport. The hotel offers $95 rooms, dog beds, cruelty-free bedding and personal care products, $6 parking, vegan cuisine, magnificent meeting and exhibit space, and free internet and airport shuttle.

90 presenters from 60 groups, representing every segment of our movement, have already signed up, and a dozen more are expected. They include Lorri Bauston, Karen Davis, Elliot Katz, Elizabeth Kucinich, Erik Marcus, Anthony Marr, Michael Mountain, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, Will Tuttle, and Paul Watson.

Visit our website and take advantage of discounted registration rate.

Vegan Earth Day Held In 130 Locations

FARM's network of grassroots volunteers carried the vegan Earth Day message to more than 130 communities in U.S. and Canada. We mailed more than 100 full Earth Day event packs complete with handouts, stickers, signup sheets and more. 20,000 of our colorful postcard-sized handouts were distributed.

In the nation's capital, FARM staff and volunteers teamed up with the Vegetarian Society of DC to educate thousands of attendees at a massive Earth Day festival and free concert on the National Mall. We had large signs, lots of hand-outs, and sign-up sheets. We scored a TV interview and a mention in The Washington Post.

Check out the Vegan Earth Day 2009 Report with photos.

FARM Sabina Fund Awards 30 Grants

This winter, FARM's Sabina Fund awarded grants to 30 groups in 10 countries in response to a couple hundred proposals. The countries included India (13 grants), Uganda (4), Kenya (2), Israel (3), U.S. (3), Congo, Croatia, Nigeria, Peru, and Rwanda.

One of the U.S. grants was to promote vegan eating in California, in the wake of last fall's Prop 2 campaign that improved conditions for farmed animals. Another funded a huge vegan festival in Croatia's capital. All projects involve promoting vegan eating and respect for animals in local communities through lectures, rallies, marches, leafleting, and street theater.

Since 1999, the FARM Sabina Fund has awarded small grants to some 150 grassroots groups promoting a plant-based diet and respect for animals in more than 30 countries. The Fund honors the memory of FARM President Alex Hershaft's mother, Sabina.

To find out more, visit the FARM Sabina Fund website.

Sign FARM's Petition to Repeal AETA

The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) was enacted by Congress with little debate or awareness at the behest of the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries and signed by President Bush in late 2006. Despite its name, the Act is framed so broadly that it classifies almost any form of social activism, including picketing, street theater, and civil disobedience, as a terrorist act. It is very likely in violation of the First Amendment.

Tell the leaders in the Judiciary Committees, charged with protecting our civil liberties and the rule of law, to take the initiative in repealing this disastrous legislation. Sign FARM's petition posted on Change.org.

Sign the petition on Change.org and forward it to your friends.

Visit FARM On Social Networking Sites

FARM has a rapidly growing presence in the online social networking world. We have a Profile Page on Facebook, where you can become a fan of FARM, and a Cause page where you can support us with small donations or by recruiting new supporters. Become our friend on MySpace, so you can stay on top of our campaigns with our blog, bulletins, and more. We are sending lots of messages to our 1,600 followers on Twitter, and we are updating our Flickr and YouTube pages. You can also check us out at Vegan World.

All this activity has been generated by Michael Weber, the latest addition to our dedicated staff. Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Economics and Policy from Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington.

Visit us on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Flickr,

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7. Gathering of Jewish Leaders Charts Sustainability Strategy in Jewish Community

Forwarded Press Release:

For immediate release:

May 12, 2009

Contact:

Holly Shulman, Rabinowitz/Dorf Communications

(202) 265-3000

Gathering of Jewish Leaders Charts Sustainability Strategy in Jewish Community

COEJL Hosts First Annual Jewish Sustainability Conference


BALTIMORE -The Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) is hosting a gathering this week bringing together leaders of national Jewish organizations in order to prepare detailed “going green” work plans and to take steps towards increased sustainability in Jewish institutions nationwide. COEJL, a program of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, is hosting this two day conference to expand the contemporary understanding of such Jewish values as tikkun olam (repairing the world) and tzedek (justice) to include the protection of people and other species from environmental degradation.

Participants in this conference include Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, United Jewish Communities, the Orthodox Union, the JCC Association and other major Jewish organizations that own or operate significant real estate. Buildings consume as much as 30% of operating costs, and the majority of those costs are related to energy use.

Buildings - their construction, renovations and operations - hold the keys to both the financial health of our institutions and to environmental sustainability, the groups say.

“We are excited about the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life's efforts to be on the forefront of addressing sustainability within the Jewish community,” said Rabbi Steve Gutow, president of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. “There is a growing awareness among national Jewish organizations of the need to understand the rapidly expanding discipline, procedures and marketplace of sustainability and this conference is a much-needed first step.”

This gathering of Jewish organizations explores the sustainability sea-change and the unavoidable choices it is posing to organizations, provides a supportive place to explore the challenges and opportunities of “going green” among fellow-travelers who understand the business and cultural conditions of the Jewish communal world, and creates a mutually-supportive community-of-practice that can drive the greening efforts of the major American Jewish organizations.

“It is imperative that Jewish organizations work together as a community to be on the forefront of sustainability within our institutions,” said Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin, general consultant for the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) and director of the Baltimore Jewish Environmental Network (BJEN). “We are excited to work with these organizations in their efforts and give them the resources they need to succeed in 'going green.'”

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the public affairs arm of the organized Jewish community, serves as the national coordinating and advisory body for the 14 national and 125 local agencies comprising the field of Jewish community relations.

The Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life is the leading Jewish environmental organization in the United States.
-------------------------------------------------------
Blurb Follow-Up On the Above Release

Sustainability Conference a Huge Step Forward for American Jewish Community

It's always an exciting moment when the four main streams of American Judaism - not to mention a dozen other national Jewish organizations from the JCC Association to the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education - join together as part a single unified initiative. That is exactly what happened when the RAC's Rabbi David Saperstein, Jesse Paikin of the URJ Camps Department and I represented the URJ this week at a meeting of more than 40 leaders from across the broad spectrum of the organized American Jewish community for the first national Jewish Sustainability Conference.

On May 11 and 12, we gathered at the incredible Pearlstone Conference and Retreat Center outside Baltimore for two days of learning, workshops, and discussion on sustainability. This complex and often misunderstood terms has many implications but, at its core, sustainability means creating communities that meet the basic human needs of all of their members byrethinking and often limiting both what we take from the natural world and the by-products that we put into the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the public spaces we enjoy together. We came to understand how the American Jewish community can unite around the goal of building safer, healthier communities for ourselves and our children based on these fundamental principles. The Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL), a program of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, organized and sponsored this historic gathering and is poised to lead the way toward a more sustainable Jewish community following the Conference.

We began the conversation by talking about buildings, a shared foundation for all of our organizations and the source of 30% of our operating costs and an equal percentage of our carbon emissions. The buildings owned and operated by the Union for Reform Judaism, with our 900 synagogues and 12 camps across the United States and Canada, have a massive impact on the environment. We are already taking steps forward as a Movement - through our online Greening Reform Judaism initiative and extensive programs at many of our synagogues and camps - to reducing our environmental impact and even leaving a positive footprint on our natural world.

While the topic of 'greening' has become all the rage in recent years, rarely does the conversation extend beyond how we can reduce our carbon footprint and cut our energy bills by changing a few light bulbs or turning down the thermostat. However, at the Conference we learned about how to frame all of the choices we make as individuals and communities- from transportation choices to the type of food we eat (local, organic, vege tarian, etc) to the materials and labor practices that go into the products we purchase - with an eye toward investing in systems that are healthier for everyone. This means much more than just "greening" our facilities, though that is certainly a wonderful and important place to start. When we see environmental issues within the larger framework of building sustainable futures, we come to understand that we can all take steps toward a healthier world without decreasing our standard of living or further tightening our already short budgets.

Building communities and institutions that can coexist with our surroundings is not only essential for our long-term ecological survival, but also part of a Jewish imperative to protect vulnerable communities, refrain from activities that destroy our natural resources, and ensure opportunities for present and future generations to thrive in a healthy environment. This is true sustainability, and it is an idea that all Jewish communities can agree on.

It was inspiring to join with leaders from so many Jewish organizations that are already taking steps toward sustainability in their own communities. The participants hope that by joining their efforts, the American Jewish community can become a leader in promoting sustainable communities. However, my colleagues and I understand that our meeting this week was only the first step on a long journey toward creating a more educated, aware, and active community of practice on this issue. We are committed to learning from each other and the efforts of our institutions, and working together as a unified Jewish community toward this common goal. And we hope you will join us along the way!

To get involved, please visit us and sign up for our new Greening Reform Judaism online community. And stay tuned for more ideas on what you, your synagogue, and your community can do to not just to 'go green,' but to become truly sustainable!

For more information on the Jewish Sustainability Conference, see the JCPA Press Release.

Posted by Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism on May 14, 2009 2:22 PM

http://blogs.rj.org/rac/2009/05/sustainability_conference_a_hu.html

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8. Belgian City Plans Meatless Days

http://www.evana.org/index.php?id=44460&lang=en

Forwarded message from author, teacher and JVNA advisor Dan Brook. His introductory comment is below:

“There are vegetarian cities in India and one million people in Taiwan have pledged to go veg for the environment. Let's get this going in some American. Israeli and other cities too! Peace, Dan”

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Tuesday, 12 May 2009 22:08 UK

Belgian city plans 'veggie' days
By Chris Mason
BBC News, Ghent

A poster advertising "Veggie Day" shows a sailor rowing an aubergine

The Belgian city of Ghent is about to become the first in the world to go vegetarian at least once a week.

Starting this week there will be a regular weekly meatless day, in which civil servants and elected councillors will opt for vegetarian meals.

Ghent means to recognise the impact of livestock on the environment.

The UN says livestock is responsible for nearly one-fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions, hence Ghent's declaration of a weekly "veggie day".

Public officials and politicians will be the first to give up meat for a day.

Schoolchildren will follow suit with their own veggiedag in September.

It is hoped the move will cut Ghent's environmental footprint and help tackle obesity.

Around 90,000 so-called "veggie street maps" are now being printed to help people find the city's vegetarian eateries.

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15 May 2009

EVANA: Tobias, first of all we would like to congratulate you and your organization on this overwhelming success of the new "Thursday Veggie Day" campaign. Did you expect this enormous level of international attention?

TOBIAS LEENAERT: Not at all. I thought that, if we'd ever do an international press release, it should be now, because it really was a very new and original thing, but I never expected this kind of attention.

QUESTION: Do you think that the amazing media frenzy could have something to do with the fact that people everywhere have been waiting for courageous politicians to take the lead in meatless initiatives? Can you tell us a bit about more about the reactions?

ANSWER: We know that people's awareness of the issues concerning meat (and especially the global warming impact) is rising,......

the complete interview:
http://www.evana.org/index.php?id=44580&lang=en

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9. Challenging Article Re Denial of the impending Unprecedented Global Catastrophe

Thanks to JVNA advisor Ron Landskroner for forwarding this article (and many more).

Waking Up in a Former Empire at the End of the Industrial Age
Or: Is It "Mean" to Tell Someone Their House is on Fire?

By Suzanne Duarte
http://culturechange.org/go.html?422
You can never awaken using the same system that put you to sleep in the first place. - Gurdjieff

Dearest Ones of Future Generations,

I thought you might find it interesting to hear what I'm observing of those people I know about who are just waking up to what the state of the planet is. Last month saw Earth Day, an international day of observance for the Earth. For nearly 40 years, it has been a day when environmentalists have had a chance to provide a reckoning of the damage that industrial civilization has been inflicting on the natural world. It is usually a time when print media make some obligatory gesture of recognition that humans live on a planet that we depend upon and that needs our attention. This year the statements were a little more urgent than usual, especially about climate change, which is increasingly referred to as "climate emergency."

The reason that we are in a climate emergency -- in fact, a biological holocaust, as it was identified over 20 yrs ago -- is that the dominant Western, globalized culture has been in a "cultural trance," drunk on oil, living in a delusional bubble for about 60 years.
...

Read the complete essay at http://culturechange.org/go.html?422

* * * * *

Culture Change
P.O. Box 4347, Arcata, CA 95518 USA, tel/fax: 1-215-243-3144
http://culturechange.org
Please send any feedback or questions via email to info@culturechange.org

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10. Survey About Veganism Completed

Thanks to vegetarian activist Janine Bronson for sending us this information:

http://www.veganpoet.com/SurveyResults/Results.html

Survey Results

Click on the links below [when you are at the web site with the URL above] for results from specific questions in the 'Vegan Relationship Survey' conducted by M. Butterflies Katz (www.veganpoet.com) in cyber-space, summer/autumn of 2008.

Q - Introduction to the Survey Results

Q - Summary

Q - Do you date only vegans?

Q - Are the vegans you know healthy?

Q - How does your parents/family feel about your veganism? Has that changed over time?

Q - How do people react when they learn you are vegan?

Q - How do you meet other vegans?

Q - How do you describe the extent to which you take your veganism?

Q - Is your veganism directly related to the influence of a relationship? Have you influenced others to become vegan? How?

Q - Are there any activists or celebrities that have inspired you?

Q - Has becoming vegan changed your relationship to animals?

Q - Where did the survey responses come from around the globe?

Q - Does being vegan influence how you relate to others?

Q - Would you consider being romantically involved with a non-vegan?

Q - What is your sexual orientation?

Q - A Spotlight on the Under 18 years of age responders

Q - Do you know any vegan children/people from birth?

Q - Are your friendships with vegans vs non-vegans different?

Q - Do you live with other vegans? What is their relationship to you?
Do you live with any non-vegans? How is that working out?

Q - Do you have any vegan pets?

Q - When did you become vegan?

Q - Words from Vegan Activists

Q - Highlights from around the world

Q - Survey Statistics - Extent of responder's veganism

Q - Conclusion

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11. New Class on Starting a Green Business Announced

Forwarded message from environmental activist Les Judd:

announcing a new class!

www.greenboroughs.com
Dear Richard,

I am pleased to announce my new class on How to Start a Green Business! It will be offered at Lehman College in the Bronx on 2 successive Tuesday evenings of 2 hours each beginning Tuesday, June 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and continuing on Tuesday, June 23 at the same time.

Topics covered in the class include:

* What is a green business?
* What are the essential elements of a green business?
* What are the advantages/disadvantages of a green business?
* What resources are available to help you make a green business in NYC?
* Who are the leaders of green business in NYC?
* What are the success stories of green business in NYC?

To register for this course, please go to www.lehman.edu.ce and click on Browse Register Summer 2009 Professional Development.

I am looking for a couple of guest speakers to talk about their success stories especially, if your business is based in the Bronx. If you would like to be a guest speaker during the second session on June 23, please contact me immediately.

Please pass this on to your colleagues!

Green Boroughs provides marketing, networking and educational information to business owners and consumers in New York City's green sector. Please visit www.greenboroughs.com for more information. Please pass this message on to anyone you think may be interested.

Thank You!

Les Judd
President
Green Boroughs
718-530-5074
Les@greenboroughs.com
www.greenboroughs.com

Email Marketing by
Green Business NYC | 474 West 238th Street | Suite 6I | Riverdale | NY | 10463

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12. Excerpts from the All-Creatures.org Weekly eNewsletter

From: Janice Fredericks godscre@msn.com
Date: May 14, 2009 6:42:52 AM EDT
Subject: [CVA] Newsletter for 14 May 09

WELCOME to the All-Creatures.org Weekly eNewsletter for May 14, 2009

PLEASE FORWARD TO YOUR LISTS!

We know the "text only" format is not pretty, but with so many internet filters between us, we're certain this format will actually get this information to you!

VIEW the eNewsletter ONLINE
http://www.all-creatures.org/articles/news-20090514.html

REGULAR SITE FEATURES

Calendar of Events
http://www.all-creatures.org/events.html

Animal Exploitation Photo Gallery
http://www.all-creatures.org/anex/index.html

All-Creatures Flyers/Handouts
http://www.all-creatures.org/articles/act-fly.html

Vegetarian/Vegan Pastors and Churches Who Are Animal Friendly
http://www.all-creatures.org/church/churchdir.html

ARTICLES AND ITEMS OF INTEREST

The Saddest Animals in the Circus
http://www.all-creatures.org/articles/ar-thesaddest.html

Why Science is Important to Animals
http://www.all-creatures.org/articles/ar-whyscience.html

Wanna Shoot a Wolf? Come to Idaho
http://www.all-creatures.org/articles/ar-wanna.html

Tiger Farms: A Ticket to Extinction
http://www.all-creatures.org/articles/ar-tigerfarms.html

Sea Shepherd Persuades Holista to Cease All Production of Shark Cartilage Product http://www.all-creatures.org/articles/ar-seashepherd.html

Animal Nations
http://www.all-creatures.org/articles/ar-animalnations.html

ACTION ALERTS

Urge the Agriculture Secretary to Cancel this Spring's Hazing of Wild Buffalo - Take action on or before May 14!
http://www.all-creatures.org/alert/alert-20090506.html

Boycott "Hurtful Essences" Shampoo
http://www.all-creatures.org/alert/alert-20090511-3.html

Coke and Rodeo - Official Soft Drink Of Cruelty?


Seattle Mariners: Stop Using Chimps in Ads
http://www.all-creatures.org/alert/alert-20090512-2.html

Act Now to Protect Sheep from Mass Cruelty
http://www.all-creatures.org/alert/alert-20090512-4.html

RECIPE - LET NO ANIMAL DIE THAT WE MAY LIVE!

Asparagus, Carrots, Onions, and Rice with Un-cheese Sauce
http://www.all-creatures.org/recipes/aspcaronrice-uncheese.html

Pizza Sauce
http://www.all-creatures.org/recipes/pizza-sauce.html

Vegan Recipe Book
http://www.all-creatures.org/recipes/index.html (without photos)
http://www.all-creatures.org/recipes.html(with photos)

ANIMAL STORIES, PROSE & POETRY

A Deer Rescue
http://www.all-creatures.org/stories/a-adeerrescue.html

Taking Hands
http://www.all-creatures.org/poetry/ar-takinghands.html

The Baby Chicken Song
http://www.all-creatures.org/poetry/ar-thebaby.html

REACHING OUT

http://www.All-Creatures.org is dedicated to providing information, inspiration,images, poetry and articles about cruelty-free living through a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle according to Judeo-Christian ethics.

Unconditional love and compassion is the foundation of our peaceful means of accomplishing this goal for ALL of God's creatures.

Frank and Mary
Please visit our web site, and refer your family, friends, and others.
http://www.all-creatures.org
If we REALLY want God to bless America and the earth, GO VEGAN!
.
Jan Fredericks, L.P.C., M.A.
Licensed Counselor
Christian Educator
www.Godscreaturesministry.org
www.Catholic-animals.org
973 694-5155 "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord."

Be Green! Visit www.ChristianVeg.org or www.chooseveg.com and explore a plant-based diet.

"When we do not intervene in long patterns of abuse, we tolerate and support that abuse -- and our silence speaks our doctrine, doesn't it?" -- the Rev. Tom Woodward [quoted with Sign "A Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion" at www.bestfriends.org/signproc

"But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity." James 3:17

"Christian Concern For All God's Creatures" DVD is NOW ONLINE! Based on God's Creatures Ministry's conference -- Great for Churches and Seminaries. For more information and questions for discussion visit www.Godscreaturesministry.org.

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13. NY Interfaith Power and Light Initiates Campaign to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Levels

A message from New York Interfaith Power & Light

Dear NYIPL Members and friends,

I'm writing to invite you to join me in signing and sharing the Interfaith Call for 350, a global petition from Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and people of widely diverse beliefs and spiritual traditions.

We come together to ask world leaders to prevent immeasurable harm to people and ecosystems should the world's delicate climate balance be further transformed by human action into runaway warming that will produce devastating effects on sea levels, food production, fresh water supplies, health, and life. By combining our voices we can demonstrate that tens of thousands of people around the world care about the earth, justice, and the urgent necessity for world governments to commit to the 350 goal for carbon dioxide.

I ask you to join me in signing and sharing the Interfaith Call so that the world's leaders hear from 350,000 of the world's people of faith and others, that we want them to act strongly and quickly to prevent catastrophic suffering and loss of life among humans and all beings, including future generations.

You can read the statement and sign it at:
www.350.org/interfaithcall
OR
http://action.350.org/t/9216/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=876

Please sign and forward the Interfaith Call to join with people from around the world in calling for a safe, just, livable earth with clean, sustainable energy for all the world's people.

With great thanks,

Nicola Coddington
Executive Director

Contact us at NYIPL@earthlink.net
Visit our website at www.NYIPL.org for resources to help you and your congregation take action on climate change, environmental stewardship, and climate justice

* * *

Mailing Address:
New York Interfaith Power & Light
57 Hillside Terrace
Irvington, NY 10533
US

Contact Name: Nicola Coddington
Telephone Number: (914) 231-5094

This is an advocacy action mailing sent to you by New York Interfaith Power & Light, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization.

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