Protect the Endangered Species Act
Behold, I establish My covenant with you, and with your seed after you, and with every living creature that is with you, of the birds, of the cattle, and of every wild animal of the earth with you... -- Genesis 9:9

These words stand in direct contrast to H.R. 3824, the misleadingly named "Threatened and Endangered Species Reform Act of 2005." This legislation, introduced by Rep Richard Pombo (R-CA), was passed by the House of Representatives yesterday and would make it more difficult for the federal government to protect the critical habitat areas needed for endangered animals and plants to survive. In addition, the legislation would exempt the pesticide industry from the Endangered Species Act's most important provisions.

Click here for more information about the Endangered Species Act and how to contact your Representatives.

The Noah Alliance Sets Sail
On September 21, representatives from Jewish and Evangelical Christian communities launched the Noah Alliance, a new religious collaboration that affirms our commitment to caring for God's creation and its many species. We are responding to Congressional attempts to weaken this nation's wildlife conservation law, the Endangered Species Act. The Alliance includes partners not seen working together everyday: Jews and Evangelicals, rabbis and scientists, Torah and biology. Forty nationally prominent rabbis and 30 eminent Jewish scientists signed a statement to protect the wildlife law. Click here to learn more about the Noah Alliance and efforts to mobilize in key states.

Apples and Honey
This Rosh Hashanah, before you bite into your apple dipped in honey, consider the origin of the fruit: how it was grown, the farmer who grew it, and the road it traveled from the orchard to your holiday table. Consider inviting a local farmer to speak at your synagogue about food production, organic food, or pesticide issues. For more environmental holiday programming ideas, check out this program from Hillel.

Who By Fire, Who By Water (editorial in the Forward, Sep. 30, 2005)
This day is the birthday of the world; this day places all the creatures of the world in judgment.

The day is Rosh Hashanah, the New Year on the traditional Jewish calendar, which begins this coming Monday evening. The words - "This day is the birthday of the world" - will be recited at the day's emotional climax, at midday on Tuesday, as the congregation, standing, responds to the piercing notes of the ram's horn, calling us to remember and prepare.

Something in that moment of call and response touches us somewhere deep inside. Whatever else we may or may not carry with us from our heritage, most Jews around the world, believers and unbelievers, faithful and skeptic, will find their way into a synagogue on that day to hear the ram's horn, recite the words and consider their judgment....

Click here to read the rest of the Forward editorial.

The Season of our Rejoicing (and Reusing and Recycling!)
The holiday of Sukkot is so joyful that it is commonly referred to in Jewish prayer and literature as Z'man Simchateinu, the Season of our Rejoicing. This year, when your family celebrates the season in the sukkah, think of all the ways to green the holiday and really rejoice! Use as many recycled products as you can to build your sukkah, including sustainably-harvested wood. Buy locally grown organic foods for your holiday meals. You might even want to invite a local organic farmer to give a talk in your sukkah.

Decorate your sukkah with locally harvested organic food. Since mitzvah objects such as the etrog and lulav deserve a respectful end, reuse your etrog by putting cloves in the skin. When it dries, use it for a Havdallah spice holder. Recycle your lulav by saving it for kindling to burn your Passover hametz. And since your sukkah is outside, take the time to reconnect with the environment around you. Listen to the nighttime insects chirping and buzzing, smell the leaves of the trees, and gaze at the stars.

Click here for the Union of Reform Judaism's "Sukkot, a Season of Gathering and Giving."

Green Action in the Field
Our Greening Synagogues project in New Jersey is enabling us to help transform four synagogues into centers of environmental awareness, stewardship, and justice. Click here to learn more and explore valuable greening resources. Although COEJL isn't able to help every congregation directly, we are pleased to report on two of the many greening initiatives occurring around the country:

Click here to learn about two exciting local Greening Synagogues initiatives.