What does it mean to "keep kosher" if it's hurting the world around us & the beings who live in it? How can we honor the traditions of our people & the reality of the affects they have?

Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (founder of Jewish Renewal) coined the term “Eco Kashrut” in the 1970s, beginning the crucial conversation about broadening Kashrut to include ecological & ethical concerns. This class will be a continuation of that conversation, which is more relevant than ever. We'll look at some texts from Reb Zalman's writing on Integral Halacha, Reb Arthur Waskow's Down to Earth Judaism, & some other writings on Kashrut & Jewish Food Ethics. We'll also talk about organizations that are trying to move things forward in this area in a good way like Hazon.

The Eco Kashrut movement is an attempt to marry Torah values with a holistic awareness of the times in which we live & how we can better care for the more-than-human world. I hope you'll join me in this exploration. Bring your questions, bring your open minds & hearts.

Ariel Yisraelah Hendelman is a Rabbinic student with the Aleph Ordination Program & the Spiritual Leader of B'nai Or Boston (a Jewish Renewal community in Waltham). Ariel offers gatherings online & in person centered around chant & meditation. Her debut album, Prayers for Fire & Water, is out now.