The Judeo-Christian tradition is often blamed for its anthropocentric view that humans were created to rule over and exploit the rest of God’s creations. Yet, our future depends on us harmonising our activities with the workings of nature. We will discuss how this can be achieved and what shelter – if any – Jewish text and tradition can offer against this coming storm. There are no technical reasons that might prevent us changing. Our customary habits need to change and can. It is a matter of personal and political willpower, and of equity and justice over the world. An optimistic image is staring us in the face. Can we realise it?
Natan Levy (PhD) is the Head of Operations for Faiths Forum for London. He received his rabbinical ordination in 2006 from Rabbi Brovender and Rabbi Riskin in Yeshivat Ha’Mivtar, Israel. Natan was environmental liaison to the former Chief Rabbi, Lord Sacks, the interfaith consultant to the Board of Deputies of British Jews from 2013 to 2017, and a University Chaplain at Bristol University. Natan is the co-author of Sharing Eden: Green Teachings from Jews, Christians and Muslims. He received his doctorate in environmental theology from Bristol University in 2021.
Ulrich Loening (BA and DPhil in Biochemistry) researched nucleic acids for more than 20 years. Later he engaged with philosophy of science, becoming Director of the Centre for Human Ecology in Edinburgh for nearly 20 years. Now retired, he continues his interest from home, lecturing and writing on how people relate to Nature, and how and why we have messed up. ‘What can we do now?’, Ulrich’s paper on this subject, is soon to be published as a chapter in a Springer-Nature book.
Edinburgh Jewish Literary Society 