1. Kosher Slaughter Bans
2. Horse Slaughter Legalized in the US
3. Free Jewish Vegan Cookbook
4. World Meat Production Grows
5. Israel Bans Cat Declawing
6. UN Climate Conference Urged to Address Animal Agriculture
7. Vegetarian Shabbat at London Chabad
8. Free leaflets from JVNA
1. Kosher Slaughter BansDutch efforts to ban the slaughter of unstunned animals -- effectively banning kosher and halal slaughter -- have raised concerns in the Jewish community, but also provide opportunities for us to discuss vegetarianism as applying Jewish values.
Rabbi Schachar Orenstein intrigued audiences when discussing the issue at a forum in Quebec, because he is an Orthodox Jew and a vegetarian, a choice he made for “ethical, health and environmental reasons” years ago. He says, “Judaism does care about animal cruelty, and measures are ongoing to reduce any suffering in slaughter… But I attempted to broaden the discussion, to the treatment of animals, how they are raised and transported.” [Canadian Jewish News]
Uca Octay of Rotterdam’s Islamic University said: “We will have to import halal meat... Becoming vegetarian could be an option as well.” Dutch Chief Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs said: “I would not have bad feelings if... Every home would be vegetarian and then it would be equal.”
(JVNA opposes singling out kosher slaughter. Both kosher and non-kosher slaughter can be done in a cruel manner or more humane manner, and the animals all come from the same abusive factory farms.)
2. Horse Slaughter Legalized in the USLast week Congress passed into law a bill that ended the federal ban on horse slaughter. (See article.) Please take a minute of your time today to support the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. And spread the word to as many people as you can. Every voice makes a difference!
In you live in Canada, please act to support the Canadian version of this law.
3. Free Jewish Vegan CookbookThe NewKosher Cookbook: Your Favorite Jewish Vegan Recipes is now available free online at PunkTorah.org, with everything from kreplach to sufganiyot, including some articles by JVNA President Richard Schwartz.
4. World Meat Production GrowsAccording to WorldWatch Institute, global meat production increased by 2.6 percent in 2010 to 290.6 million tons, an increase from the 0.8 percent growth rate of 2009. Read More.
The good news is that, in the US, meat consumption has been declining. Let's continue to be leaders in improving the world.
5. Israel Bans Cat Declawing
Good news: Israel has banned the declawing of cats. Judaism forbids mutilating pets without a genuine need. Read More. Unfortunately, on factory farms, surgical mutilations without painkillers -- like debeaking, dehorning, castrating, and tail docking -- remain standard practice.
Israel has already passed bans on foie gras production, cosmetics testing, public school dissections, and wildlife in circuses, all of which remain legal in the US and Canada. Jews should be a light unto the nations when it comes to vegetarianism as well.
6. UN Climate Change Conference COP-17 Urged to Address Animal AgricultureDurban in South Africa is the stage where the United Nations' climate change conference, also known as COP17, is taking place. Parallel to the negotiations, representatives from NGOs try to make their voices heard amid the cacophony of COP17 talks. One of them is the Humane Society International, which is urging delegates to bring animal agriculture into the forum. Read More.
7. Vegetarian Shabbat at London ChabadYou too can organize an eco-friendly, vegan Shabbat dinner at your synagogue, chabad, or university, like these Jews did in London. Then tell us about it! Read More.
8. Free Leaflets from JVNAPlease get active in spreading the word by leafleting at a local Jewish event and/or organizing a talk or cooking demonstration at a local synagogue, Jewish school, or Jewish Center. Contact us for free leaflets. We can also send you some DVDs of our acclaimed documentary "A Sacred Duty: Applying Jewish Values to Help Heal the World." Please consider arranging a showing
