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Congregation Har Hashem will be hosting its annual Symposium on Spirituality and the Environment, supported by the Bachrach Endowment Fund. As one of Har Hashem’s many community initiatives, the symposium seeks to emphasize peacemaking in the Middle East through cooperation, sustainability, & environmentalism.
“Though the past two years have created high tensions and animosity between Jewish Israelis and Arabs (Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian, Lebanese), we push forward for the idea of peace and coexistence. We believe one of the best ways to build the bridge between our two societies is through environmentalism, something that affects us all, no matter our religion, citizenship, or identity.”
– Rabbi Fred Greene.
This year’s symposium will bring in both Jewish Israeli and Palestinian Israeli perspectives from two members of the Arava Institute. Jawdat Kasab is a Palestinian citizen of Israel, a lawyer, program associate for the Arava Institute, co-founder of Fallahi, and an advocate for dialogue between Arabs and Jews. Hanni Torrefranca is a documentary filmmaker, focused on the intersection of human rights and environmental protection.
The Arava Institute is an environmental studies program that fosters coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis through environmental projects, research, and accredited academic programs. The institute is “committed to maintaining an open and honest dialogue, even when that dialogue is painful.” – Dr. David Lehrer, former Executive Director and current Director of International Programs.
In additional to hearing from these expert speakers, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in Q&A and discussions covering a variety of issues. The symposium will be free and open to the public (rsvp required), with the hope of bringing in multiple perspectives, ideas, and ideologies.
Har Hashem invites all to attend the symposium, to help progress the community’s sustainability efforts and mindset.
Symposium on Spirituality and the Environment 2025
Environmental Peacebuilding
Sunday, March 30; 1:00-3:00pm
