By Emma Goldblatt
I’m not sure about you all, but this month has flown by for me! It’s been another great month of animal advocacy for our community world wide, and this newsletter will highlight some of the events from our Synagogue Vegan Challenge and Campus Fellows. You’ll also read about some other community highlights, how to get involved this coming month, and also how to have the best, yummiest vegan Chanukah possible! Happy reading!
Synagogue Vegan Challenge Event Spotlight:
On Friday night Nov. 3rd CBS had people come for dinner and learning. A rabbinical student from JTS was here all weekend to lead tfillah and teach talmud torah and point out and study queer Torah specifically, however we lead with the dinner. Rabbi Borodin spoke before birkat making the point: plant based diet = Judaism. We had out materials on the table. Photos taken during pre Shabbat prep on Friday afternoon.
This event featured people ranging in age from 1 year – 60+. We braided vegan challah. We discussed that honey is not a vegan product and the adults participated in a learning piece about what makes a challah and that honey and eggs are not necessary for it! Younger participants thought about the ways in which we take care of our animals whether it’s our pets or our natural wildlife. While families made challah to take home for Shabbat they also made challah and red lentil soup that will be donated to the synagogue’s Chesed Committee who makes deliveries of food to families that have welcomed a new baby, have lost a loved one, or are lonely. Participants loved experiencing the different ways we can make, use, and share challah which is such an important part of our Jewish celebrations.
The event was held in conjunction with our regularly occurring kiddush lunch following our Saturday Contemplative Shabbat Service. We served approximately 50 people. Our presenter is a member of our congregation with a background in environmental studies and public health. A lively discussion followed. This lunch was catered by a neighborhood Indian Restaurant.
Campus Fellowship Event Spotlight:
Zoe at Cornell: We noshed and discussed what is happening on campus and tried different vegan snacks. It is a really hard time at Cornell right now- so that is mostly what we talked about. I went though a few of the animal advocacy handouts and some of my friends want to join Shamayim!
Rebecca at Rutgers: Vegan challah bake! Dough was made in advance, we braided challah, and added toppings. I also gave out Shamayim resources on veganism and animal advocacy.
Shamayim Community Spotlight:
Adoption Stories
Thanks to our community members for sending in their pet adoption stories to inspire you to adopt and not shop when looking to find a new furry friend!
1st Challah-Days Contest Winner
Congrats to Alexandra for her submission of Jewish text & analysis for animal advocacy! Thank you to everyone who made a submission, and look out for our next contests in the coming weeks!
Get Involved
Vegan Chanukah
Check out our vegan Chanukah guide for tips and recipes! (and an all-new cruelty free gift guide!)
Share our Vegan-ish challenge with your non-veg friends, (or join in on the fun yourself!)
As Jews, we see care and compassion as minimal expectations of treatment towards all animals – two legged and otherwise. Our tradition sees us as stewards of this earth and guardians of its animals. With that in mind, we believe that the meat, fish, eggs and dairy produced by the farm factory system as currently constructed are inherently not kosher such that the only authentic expression of kashrut in our day and age, is veganism.
We realize the idea of going 100% plant based is overwhelming to some! We want to invite you to find your way and explore. For each night of the coming nights of Hanukkah, we will share different steps you may try, different paths you may walk to explore a life with less meat, fish, dairy and eggs.
Night 1
Set Meat-less goal
Choose one animal product to eliminate from your diet. If you donât eat beef, stop with the chicken…if you donât eat chicken…you get the idea.
Now choose one pattern/structure. Maybe you will choose to make one night meatless. Maybe a whole day a week. Some people work better when they have goals. For example: every day no meat until dinner. (Remember this is a vegan-ish goal!)
Night 2
Find community
Another important step: get together with other vegan/plant based people. There are numerous vegan/plant based communities depending on what you are looking for.
A good place to start could be finding online communities on Facebook, using the app MeetUp, or by checking out the communities that have have (internationally!) participated in our Synagogue Vegan Challenge!
Night 3
Veganize your favorites
There’s nothing more comforting than digging into your favorite dish- with a twist! Use online recipes and resources to recreate your favorite meal. There are dozens of meat and dairy replacements on the market, so the possibilities are truly endless!
Night 4
Learn
Books:
We Are The Weather, Jonathan Safran Foer
Animal, Susan Orleans
Why we love dogs, eat pigs and wear cows, Dr. Melanie Joy (I personally love Melanie’s work!)
Animal Liberation, Peter Singer.
Documentaries:
Game Changers
Kiss the Earth
Gunda
Meat Me Halfway
anything by or with Richard Attenborough.Â
Night 5
Listen
Listen to the Shamayim: Jewish Animal Advocacy Podcast!
Our podcast covers a range of Jewish and Vegan topics. Episodes feature weekly Dâvars, a âPlant-Based Torahâ series all about the intersection of Jewish values & animal advocacy, and interviews with influential voices in animal advocacy & Jewish leadership.
Night 6
Eat out- Vegan!
There are a couple ways to achieve this! When you go to a restaurant, seek out either vegan options on the menu, or support fully vegan restaurants. Luck with finding Vegan restaurants depends on your geographic location.
Aside from being able to filter choices on Yelp to find a place, another good way to find vegan/veggie options is with various apps such as Happy Cow, and Veganagogo.
Night 7
Support Animal Advocacy
Support Shamayim and the other really great organizations out there! But, us first đ
Grounding ourselves in Jewish tradition, we seek to create the maximum amount of change possible by focusing on institutions, leaders, and upcoming leaders. Our goal is to educate, give the tools to advocate, and provide ongoing continual support to all our participants to seek out ways to fulfill our mission.
Night 8
Be Kind
Old joke: How do you know someone is vegan? Because they tell you…again and again and again. Okay, I get it, I was there too. This is the time to take off the judgmental lens towards yourself and others. It is not helpful as it diverts your focus, it hinders your goal by putting emotional obstacles in the way, and it just doesnât make anyone feel good. Lead with Love!
I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe, happy, and healthy this holiday season. My blessings and prayers for safety and happiness are with all of you.
That’s all for now, folks!
Blessings,
Emma
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