Yonatan Neril

Rabbi Yonatan Neril founded and directs The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development and its Jewish Eco Seminars branch. He speaks internationally on faith and ecology.

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About

Rabbi Yonatan Neril founded and directs The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development and its Jewish Eco Seminars branch. He speaks internationally on faith and ecology, including at the Fez Climate Summit and the Parliament of World Religions. He co-organized five interfaith ecology conferences in Israel and the U.S. and contributed to and edited two books on Jewish ecological wisdom.

Programs

Genesis and Human Stewardship of the Earth

In Genesis, G-d speaks of humans ruling over other living beings. G-d blesses Adam and Eve, saying “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion" over the fish, birds, and animals. How do we understand the message of the Torah? Jewish tradition teaches us that we only merit the opportunity to rule the earth if we behave righteously and act as stewards of creation.

Israel, Ecology, and Interreligious Cooperation

In Israel, Jews, Christians, and Muslims live on the same land, and take in the same air and water. Environmental challenges transcend borders and religions and therefore exist as an arena of joint, urgent concern among diverse groups of people. Rabbi Neril will share a unique perspective on interfaith work on sustainability in Israel and internationally, through the prism of Jewish teachings.

Climate Change and a Jewish Response

How can Jews respond appropriately to the challenge posed by climate change? What are the spiritual roots of the climate crisis, and how can we address them in our own lives and communities? This program will explore Jewish teachings that relate to the ecological crisis in general and climate change in particular. It will both face the challenge and offer people hope, with practical suggestions.

Why is collaboration with Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus Key to a Sustainable Future?

The balance of the world has been ruptured, and we owe it to God, to each other, and to all species to fix it. To do that, Jews need to take a leadership role in interfaith cooperation on environmental sustainability. Only by uniting around this common challenge will humanity be able to transition quickly to sustainable societies. To do so requires collaboration on an unprecedented scale.

'How Numerous Are Your Creations, God'-- A Jewish Approach to Biodiversity and Animal Welfare

There are likely ten million species on earth, yet humanity is extincting species at a rapid rate. How can be protect God's creation-- both species in the wild, as well as the hundreds of billions of factory farmed animals and sea life? We will explore Jewish teachings that relate to the Creator's desire for a biodiverse planet, and explore Jewish law in regards to preventing cruelty to animals.

Genres

Endorsements

Rabbi Neril’s Jewish Eco Seminar put a spiritual foundation to the challenges we face with the environment. He presented Jewish values which grounded us in bringing heaven and earth closer together to do Tikkun Olam for the environment.
— Rabbi Larry Groffman, Rabbi, Temple Sholom of West Essex, Cedar Grove, New Jersey

Rabbi Yonatan Neril has been a featured Scholar in Residence at Temple Sholom of West Essex several times over the last 6 years. His programs and workshops are most informative and include compelling information that relates Torah to environmental concerns. His audience always makes extremely positive and welcoming comments about all his presentations.
— Lawrence Sender Steinman, Past President, Temple Sholom of West Essex, Cedar Grove, New Jersey

Contact Yonatan

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Books

Uplifting People and Planet

Eighteen Essential Jewish L...

2013

Canfei Nesharim

Eco Bible

Volume 1: An Ecological Com...

2020

The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development

Eco Bible

Volume 2: An Ecological Com...

2021

The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development

Articles

Huffington Post 21 April, 2017:

Bill O’Reilly, Violation, and Mother Earth

Huffington Post 15 August, 2016:

Modern Megacity, Meet Ancient Wisdom

Uplifting People and Planet: 18 Essential Teachings on Judaism and the Environment 1 June, 2013:

Summoning the Will Not to Waste: Bal Tashchit

Uplifting People and Planet: 18 Essential Teachings on Judaism and the Environment 1 June, 2013:

Shabbat and Environmental Awareness

Uplifting People and Planet: 18 Essential Teachings on Judaism and the Environment 1 June, 2013:

Genesis and Human Stewardship of the Earth

Interested in booking Yonatan Neril to speak at your next event? Contact Jewish Speakers Bureau (infREMOVEo@jewREMOVEishspeakerREMOVEsbureau.com), America's only speakers bureau for Jewish-interest speakers, authors, entertainers, and experts.