A Jewish Approach to Activism and Accompaniment Through the Climate Crisis

Exploring Religion & Environment Series

Join us for a series of lunchtime conversations this Fall and Winter focused on exploring religion and the environment. We will be joined by experts, theologians, activists, and thinkers for deep dives into different religious traditions. By blending informative education with ground-breaking discourse, we hope that wherever you are on your own journey exploring faith and our changing world, you will find value in this foray.

Session 2: A Jewish Approach to Activism and Accompaniment Through the Climate Crisis

In this month’s conversation, are taking a deep dive into the Reconstructionist Jewish tradition. Rabbi Ora Nitkin-Kaner will share about her work in tending to human hearts at the edges of perceived apocalypse. Rabbi Fred Dobb will share about how his approach to climate activism is shaped by his own tradition. Rabbi Nathan Martin will then moderate a panel discussion exploring themes that arise in both of these presentations, and there will be a time for audience Q&A.

Bring your lunch and your questions – we can’t wait to see you there!

This event has been sponsored by Exploring Apocalypse

Our series co-sponsors:

Better Path Coalition, Delaware Interfaith Power & Light, Green Muslims

Rabbi Ora Nitkin-Kaner: I’m a rabbi, climate change chaplain, and the founder of Exploring Apocalypse, a space for folks to productively explore their emotional and spiritual responses to the climate crisis. Over the past 15 years, I’ve served as an advocate, chaplain, and rabbi in prisons, hospitals, and congregations, and I write and teach on fear, intergenerational trauma, and moral injury within the context of the climate crisis. Originally from Toronto ON, I live in New Haven CT with my partner Asa and our sweet dog Tuna.

Rabbi Fred Scherlinder: Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb is chair of COEJL (the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life), and has served as the rabbi at Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation in Bethesda, MD since 1997. He serves on the Board of National Interfaith Power & Light, and previously served on the Maryland/Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light and Washington Board of Rabbis. He has helped Adat Shalom become a widely-acclaimed green spiritual center and has been active within and beyond Adat Shalom on social and economic justice, LGBTQ and gender equality and progressive Israel education and advocacy, as well as eco-Judaism. A Wexner Graduate Fellow, Fred received a Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary in 2009. His two young children provide both impetus for, and limits upon, his activist rabbinate.

Rabbi Nathan Martin: Rabbi Nathan serves as the Associate Rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel in Media and is currently serving as President of the board of PA IPL. Prior to his pursuing the rabbinate, Nathan worked for nearly a decade in the field of energy efficiency research in California at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He has sought out ways to integrate his passion for environmental sustainability into his rabbinate including participating in the Greenfaith fellowship program, offering teaching around the intersection of Judaism and the environment at various conferences, and his ongoing work for PA IPL. Nathan feels that his best stewardship work is done in collaboration with other religiously minded climate activists and is thrilled to put his energies to the important work of the PA IPL Board.

About our Sponsor

“Exploring Apocalypse is chaplaincy for a world made uncertain by climate change. Rooted in the original meaning of ‘apocalypse’–‘to uncover’ or ‘to reveal’–this is a dedicated space for you to name and explore your feelings around climate change and other systemic unravelings. But you don’t get stuck in your anxiety, rage, or grief. You are accompanied through your distress to reveal how you can respond meaningfully—even joyfully!—to the challenges of our time.

Exploring Apocalypse guided sessions are one-on-one reflective conversations with a skilled, trauma-informed climate change chaplain. Sessions are open to folks of all faiths, identities, and backgrounds. To learn more visit www.exploringapocalypse.com.