Operation Noah Program Ideas

COEJL INVITES EVERY JEWISH INSTITUTION TO
JOIN OPERATION NOAH

"And of every living being of all flesh, two of every sort shall you bring into the ark, to keep them alive with you..." --Genesis 6:19

Jewish tradition teaches us that as humans we are part of the created world, inextricably joined to the myriad other creatures which God created and called good. And the tradition also teaches us that we are unique among the creatures, created in the Divine image. The Jewish people has for millennia understood itself to be responsible for healing the fractures of our imperfect world, that we as Jews are called to serve as "partners in creation."

What does it mean in this generation for us to be partners in creation? What fractures in the integrity of the world are we compelled to heal?

In this generation, the ecological integrity of God's world is at risk. Wetlands, forests, rivers, lakes, coral reefs and many other whole ecosystems are threatened by pollution, human encroachment, and resource extraction. Such destruction threatens human health and well-being. And many species that depend upon these systems are in danger of being extinguished forever from the face of the earth. Unless we change our course, humankind will destroy millions of species in the next half-century.

The Torah tells us that when God inundated the earth with a flood, Noah and his family protected at least two of every animal species, enabling all of God's creatures to make safe passage from one era to the next. In this generation, we too must ensure safe passage of God's creatures from one era to the next by protecting their habitats. The Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) invites every Jewish institution to join Operation Noah. Let it not be said of the generation of the late Twentieth Century that we allowed Creation to unravel. Join us in serving as God's partners in the fulfillment of the first covenant:

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

Upon three things the world stands: on Torah, on Avodah (Divine Service), and on Gemilut Chasadim (Deeds of Lovingkindness).
Pirke Avot 1:2

TORAH: LEARNING
LEARNING TORAH AND THE WAYS OF CREATION

• Study the story of Noah and the lessons we might learn from it about our responsibility to all creatures, particularly endangered species.
• Study Genesis chapters 1 and 2, Job chapters 38-40, and/or Psalms 104, 105, 147, and 148, focusing on what the Bible teaches us about Creation, the relationship between creatures, and the role of humanity in creation.
• Study the Torah portions of Bereshit, Noah, Beshallach/Shabbat Shira , Mishpatim, Shmini, and Behar considering what these Torah portions teach us about our relationship to and responsibility for other creatures and ecosystems.
• Get acquainted with your habitat! Organize field trips for your synagogue and/or school to local nature centers and museums to learn about local ecosystems and species.
• Learn about which animals, plants, and ecosystems in your area are endangered.

AVODAH: SPIRITUALITY AND PRAYER
CELEBRATING THE CREATOR AND GOD'S CREATION

• Dedicate one Shabbat or holiday to the theme of endangered species and habitat (Parshat Noah, another Parshah, Tu B'Shvat or Passover).
• Hold a Tu B'Shvat seder during which you learn about endangered species, especially those that live in forests.
• Include readings in your Passover seder on the plagues human action is now bringing to creatures and habitats around the world.
• Hold services outdoors. Study Psalms 104, 105, 147, and 148. Experience the songs of creation.

GEMILUT CHASADIM: TAKING ACTION
BUILDING AN ARK

• Adopt an endangered habitat, such as a local forest, wetland, or river. Volunteer as a youth group, synagogue, social action committee, etc. to clean up an impacted area, plant native species, and restore habitat for birds or other native creatures. Make an annual contribution to a nature reserve or a habitat conservation organization.
• Adopt a threatened or endangered species. Educate your members and the larger community about the species. Take actions to protect the species, such as changing institutional practices, protecting habitat, and engaging in advocacy to protect the species' habitat.
• Educate members about what they can do at home to protect habitats (e.g. products to avoid and alternatives which don't harm lakes, rivers, and other habitats.)
• Defend the Endangered Species Act. Join COEJL Action and receive regular legislative updates and action alerts.
• Create habitat. Plant native plants on the grounds of your synagogue, school, JCC, or your own home.
• Make a commitment as a synagogue, youth group, classroom, sister/brotherhood, etc. to make the week of Passover a "Week of Simple Living." Take on one thing during that week that will enable you to "take up less space" in the world and leave more space for other creatures.
• Join or create local coalitions to protect endangered habitats by getting involved in local, state, and national planning which affects habitat protection. For information on local churches involved in environmental efforts, contact the National Religious Partnership for the Environment (NRPE).

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