By: Rabbi Zoe McCoon
Rabbi McCoon grew up in Flint and attended University of Michigan. She lives in Berkeley, California, and is Community Educator at Shalom Bayit: Ending Domestic Violence in Jewish Homes.
This October, our world lost Rabbi Arthur Waskow, an impactful leader, climate activist, and author. I first became familiar with his teachings nearly a decade ago while working at Hazon Detroit (now Adamah Detroit). During this fellowship, I got to explore Earth-based Judaism and how taking care of our Earth is a Jewish Value.
My favorite of Rabbi Waskow’s writings is “Sh’ma: An Interpretation for the 21st Century” (2003). Traditionally, we say the Shema and V’ahavta in our daily prayers – affirming the one-ness of God, and describing how we can show love of God in our actions. These words and their basic meaning feel very familiar for many Jews. Yet, some of us may have found ourselves wondering, “What do these words have to do with me?”
In this piece, Waskow answered this question by emphasizing that the Shema does not just affirm one God. It is a statement that all that exists is one and intertwined. We are all nourished by this same “Breath of life.”
Referring to Deuteronomy 11:13-15, he wrote that when we listen to these teachings,“the rains will fall… the rivers will run, the heavens will smile, the good earth will fruitfully feed you.” Yet, he continued, “chop the world into parts… If you Do and you Make, and Produce without pausing; If you Do without Being — Then the rain will not fall — or will turn to sharp acid — The rivers won’t run — or flood homes and cities;… the oil that you burn will scorch your whole planet and from the good earth that the Breath of Life gives you, you will vanish;” (Deuteronomy 11:16-17 reference)
As I read this, I wonder to myself, how am I contributing to harm in our world? Is my usage of AI contributing to the need for more data centers which use up immense amounts of energy and water? Do I excuse using items that are convenient, even when they are wasteful? Do I focus on division, when my neighbors and I both need connection?
It is easy to point fingers at the bigger contributors to waste and harm. Yet, we must hold ourselves accountable too. We must remind ourselves that we are connected to all on this earth and let this inform our actions. May we honor Rabbi Arthur Waskow’s memory by continuing this holy work.
About the Ann Arbor Jewish Climate Circle (A2J CC)
Most Jews in the Ann Arbor area believe that climate change is an important issue—perhaps the most significant challenge of our generation. Most of us also understand that Jewish tradition calls us to improve the world for future generations.
The A2J Climate Circle is designed to bring our community together in climate action and create momentum and support.
Started by the JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Committee) of the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor, with Annie Wolock (Federation) as the leader, the A2J Climate Circle Planning Committee currently includes Ellen Abramson (Jewish Family Services), Phil Barr (Temple Beth Emeth), Rena Basch (Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation), Mike Shriberg (Temple Beth Emeth), and Michael Simon (Beth Israel Congregation). The Planning Committee contacted local Jewish organizations to partner with A2J CC on this initiative.
All area Jewish organizations and groups, large and small, are encouraged to join us.