Despite some positive changes, the world is in
more of a mess, environmentally speaking than it
was in 1984, when Dr. Richard H. Schwartz penned
the book "Judaism and Global
Survival."
Earlier this year the Willowbrook resident and
professor emeritus at the College of Staten Island
released a revised edition of the book in which
he updates us on just how bad things have gotten.
"The world is threatened as never before,"
he said during a recent interview, citing climatic
changes, the extinction of species, an alarming
water shortage in many parts of the world and other
man-made catastrophes.
"In most ways," he said, we're worse
off than we were in 1984.
His contention in the book is that if Jews took
seriously some of the biblical teachings - like
the Earth itself is the Lord's and the, fullness
thereof from Psalms - everyone would benefit.
"The teachings are there within our religion,"
he said.
On the flip side, the professor, a passionate vegetarian
who also is the author of "Judaism and Vegetarianism"
believes that some religious teachings are misused.
"The teaching that only people are created
in God's image does not mean we can do whatever
we want to animals, or the natural environment,
he said.
While his book is aimed primarily at a Jewish
readership, his approach "is easily adapted
to Christianity and other religions," he said.
The professor said he sees some cause for optimism
in that since he first wrote the book, many environmentally
conscious groups have come on the scene. The revised
edition includes a list of "Jewish groups that
are doing something" and there's an expanded
list of what ordinary people can do to help.
Some suggestions: Become more aware; convince
religious people to put environmental concerns on
their agenda; conserve natural resources wherever
possible by walking, riding a bicycle, carpooling,
using energy efficient light bulbs; become a vegetarian.
Religious leaders who incorporate an environmental
message and action plan in their services might
also reap some benefits, Dr. Schwartz contends.
Tikkun olam, the Jewish concept of repairing the
world "should be a central focus of churches
and synagogues. That, in turn' might help attract
idealistic people back to the world of religion.
"The world is in terrible trouble and religious
values can make a difference," Dr. Schwartz
said. "Religion has wonderful, powerful mes-sages
and I think it's urgent that they be put into practice
today."
"Judaism and Global Survival," published
by Lantern Books, can be purchased at Carmel Hebrew
Books and Gifts in Willowbrook, at amazon.com
or at barnesandnoble.com.
