NOA: Promoting environmental Jewish communities

NOA – Networks Overcoming Antisemitism, offers a pioneering approach to tackle the problem of rising antisemitism in Europe. With its unique partnership of major Jewish networks, it will evaluate EU Member States’ policies across areas, from education to culture and security, and help them to develop holistic national action plans to address and prevent antisemitism.

European Jews have experienced a rising tide of antisemitic violence in the last ten years, so major European Jewish partners teamed up to create positive and systemic impact in European societies from grassroots level to policy-making by developing educational tools and training for communities, sport clubs, schools and public authorities; social media campaigns; cultural events and “Report Cards” for Member States to help them combat antisemitism.

In direct response to the European Council’s Declaration for Member States to adopt a holistic strategy to prevent and fight antisemitism, the NOA project provides a mechanism to support Member States in the development and implementation of national action plans and provide a wealth of socio-cultural educational resources that can reverse the tide of antisemitic attitudes. Only through such a hand-in-hand approach that marries policy and practice, security and education, transnational and national actions, can positive results be achieved in reducing the prevalence and impact of antisemitism in Europe.

The word ‘noa’ means ‘in motion’ in Hebrew, reflecting a positive movement towards a society where Jewish life will flourish and antisemitism will be curtailed. Together, the partners represent 756 national affiliates.

Promoting environmental Jewish communities

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” a proverb says. For countering climate change, every step can help.

EcoSynagogue and the Board of Deputies of British Jews are supporting Jewish places of worship in the UK with the tools to help combat the climate crisis. Especially in light of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference taking place in Glasgow on October 31 – November 12, 2021. The world is currently not on track to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. If temperatures will carry on rising, it would bring even more catastrophic flooding, bush fires, extreme weather, and destruction of species. Strong and sustained reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases would limit climate change.

EcoSynagogue is helping synagogues assess how they can be more eco-friendly. By forming Environmental Impact Teams and creating a synagogue eco-policy – such as recycling, reducing packaging, using energy-efficient lightbulbs, composting, planting a community garden. By talking about environmentalism in sermons and in ‘shiurim.’ By hosting environment-centered programs and discussions for congregants and youths. Their EcoShabbat program in November 2021 has a range of events, such as an alternative vegan Friday night dinner, with vegan recipes for traditional Jewish meals.

Every community is different: Some operate in rural areas; some urban; some in old buildings; and some in new buildings. But every community can play a part in reducing their carbon footprint. “Judaism teaches that every species matters,” Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, a co-founder of EcoSynagogue, says regarding the initiative. “And that we are responsible not only for other human beings, but for the rich biodiversity of our planet.”

Read more about NOA and Promoting environmental Jewish communities