Rabbinic Letter Addressing the Climate Crisis

Press Release

Today, Pope Francis released the Papal Encyclical, calling on all of us to address the global crisis of climate change. But the Encyclical was not the only religious document this week calling for bold action. The Rabbinic Letter demonstrates that leaders in the Jewish faith share the commitment to meeting perhaps the greatest challenge of our time.

The Rabbinic Letter was initiated by seven leading rabbis from a broad spectrum of American Jewish life: Rabbi Elliot Dorff, rector of the American Jewish University; ?Rabbi Arthur Green, rector of the Hebrew College rabbinical school; Rabbi Peter Knobel, former president, Central Conference of American Rabbis; Rabbi Mordechai Liebling, director of the Social Justice Organizing Program at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College.; Rabbi Susan Talve, spiritual leader of Central Reform Congregation, St. Louis; Rabbi Arthur Waskow, director of The Shalom Center; and Rabbi Deborah Waxman, president of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. They were joined by Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg, a leader of the Orthodox community.

This letter makes clear the scope of the problem we face in combatting human-induced climate change. It also identifies clear and indisputable principles of the Jewish faith that prove that action on this issue isn't just smart from an economic and public health perspective -- it's morally and religiously justified.

I thank the 360 Rabbis who have already signed this letter, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to follow the guidance of these religious leaders on this critical issue.

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