Shofar blasts cut through chaos as EcoJudaism leads Parliament Square climate vigil
Jewish leaders, students, and activists unite in London to demand bold climate action ahead of COP30
Against a backdrop of competing protests, political chanting and antisemitic heckles from the fringes, EcoJudaism led the UK Jewish community’s second Kol for Climate vigil in Parliament Square on Wednesday, gathering hundreds to call for urgent action on the escalating climate and nature crisis.
The cross-communal event brought together Jews from across denominations, ages and backgrounds – from primary school pupils to senior faith leaders – in a rare public show of unity centred on environmental justice.
Opening the vigil, EcoJudaism CEO Naomi Veber urged political leaders and COP30 negotiators to resist the “lure of fossil fuels and excessive extraction,” contrasting what she described as biblical “chaos and disorder” with Judaism’s mandate to “tend and protect” the natural world.
Credit: EcoJudaism
“This vigil shows that there is a growing consensus across the UK Jewish community that human-caused climate change is real and that as Jews we have a religious obligation to act – Eco Judaism gives the community the way to channel that action,” Verber said.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis emphasised the global responsibility of faith communities, warning that climate policy cannot be left solely to governments and industry.
“It is estimated that 84 percent of the world’s population is aligned to a religious faith – this means on an issue as important as climate change, the world needs to listen to the voice of religion,” he told the crowd.
London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Mete Coban, praised Jewish communities for placing climate action “high on the communal agenda,” highlighting the practical impact of EcoJudaism–led river clean-ups and nature restoration projects across the UK.
The vigil featured a dedicated youth segment. Pupils from Alma Primary read a poem calling for safeguarding “the earth God has given us,” while JcoSS sixth-former Joel Brahams contrasted the simplicity of Fiddler on the Roof’s Tevye with the “excessive and destructive consumption” of modern life. Samantha Lewkowicz of the Union of Jewish Students reminded politicians: “It is our generation’s future on the line.”
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, a founder of EcoJudaism, told children present that Maimonides teaches both love of creation and humility within an interconnected web of life.
“This vigil is a superb cross-denominational showing of our commitment to climate and nature,” Wittenberg said.
Speakers from across the community echoed the call for urgent environmental action. Jo Grosse, Chief Executive of the United Synagogue, received loud applause after announcing the installation of solar panels across US synagogues and burial sites. Phil Rosenberg, President of the Board of Deputies, praised EcoJudaism for bringing “the whole community to the same table” on an issue he described as existential.
Credit: EcoJudaism
Synagogues from Leicester, Oxford, Bristol and beyond were represented. Michele Benn of Neve Shalom Leicester described the environmental projects as now “woven into the fabric” of her community. EcoJudaism trustee and founder of the Jewish Climate Professionals Network Rafi Addlestone urged Jewish professionals to mobilise expertise to meet the physical and social impacts of climate change.
The vigil closed with Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg sounding the shofar, its clear note breaking through the noise from nearby demonstrations and, as organisers put it, “waking us up” to the reality of the climate emergency.
Verber travels to COP30 in Brazil this week to represent the UK Jewish community at the summit. Israel is not sending an official delegation.
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