Interview taken at the Interfaith Climate Summit, Nov. 27 - 28, 2008

How come climate has become an issue of importance in your faith?

- The general ecological responsibility to not exploit anything are definite parts of the Jewish religion.  The question of climate is more personal.  I was partaking in a global forum where spiritual leaders discussed the environment already in the 199re0’s.  The was a breakthrough and included participants such as Al Gore and Michael Gorbachev. 

- Jews, in general, have been a little uncomfortable with the environmental movement, as it has been viewed partially as its own religion.  This has never bothered me.  Instead I recognize the hope we still feel for the environment from my religion.  The Jewish religion is a religion of hope and the Uppsala Manifesto also shows the opportunities there are.  

Read more...

The Soetendorp Institute

Contact

Jacob Soetendorp Institute for Human Values
Van Hoytemastraat 1
2596 EM The Hague
The Netherlands
info@soetendorpinstitute.org