Progressively Speaking: Let's save the world in real life, not just on screen

Ahead of EcoShabbat at COP26, Rabbi Tanya Sakhnovich looks at a topical issue and applies a Liberal response

“One generation goes and one generation comes, but the earth remains forever.” Kohelet (1:4).

Have you seen the latest James Bond film? If not, then you are in a minority, as it breaks box office records, taking £382 million so far.

Quite a few of us are prepared to pay money to get thrills from watching someone saving the world on screen, but fewer of us are as prepared to engage in saving the world ourselves.

Thanks to constant pollution, waste, animal abuse and the regular exploitation and annihilation of natural habitats, we are now faced with mission impossible. Some like to refer to it as saving the planet, but I think it is, in fact, saving ourselves.

The magnitude of the problem – particularly exposed more recently thanks to the upcoming COP26 conference in Glasgow – is so big it has made many realise it cannot be solved unless we all work together. Indeed, the climate change issue has become so real that for the first time it even cuts across communal lines in our Jewish community.

The only way to become a power that makes a difference is to act together as the EcoSynagogue organisation is doing, uniting the four denominations of our community. And if you or your community would like to join the Jewish eco-warriors, you have a great opportunity to do so very soon.

The EcoShabbat of 5-6 November presents to us, the entire Jewish community of the UK, a fantastic opportunity to show our support for the COP26 conference as well as to celebrate our commitment to eco and sustainable living.

EcoShabbat can be a real turning point for you and your community when you make an eco pledge, which will help to save our planet. This could be committing to a zero waste programme, stopping eating meat, reducing plastic usage or one of the many other options listed on the EcoSynagogue website.

Above all else, let’s pledge to make this EcoShabbat the beginning of our ‘mission possible’ so our children live a more harmonious life with nature and so they will spend £382m to protect the planet in real life, not only on screen.

Rabbi Tanya Sakhnovich serves The Liberal Synagogue Elstree. Download your EcoShabbat pack at:

https://ecosynagogue.org/ecoshabbat-pack