Celebrating Shabbat Noah – and More!

This Friday and Saturday, Jewish communities of all denominations will join together to observe an environmental Shabbat as we read Parashat Noah. The story of the great flood, the rainbow, and the covenant between God and Noah is one of the greatest environmental parables in our tradition, and the reading presents a unique opportunity to think about the environmental challenges we face in our own time – especially in a year marked by the devastation of the oil spill in the Gulf, unprecedented flooding in Pakistan, and extreme weather across the world.

Our climate and energy challenges are serious and urgent, and there is much we can do – this weekend and beyond – to begin putting our communities and our planet on a more sustainable path forward. And Reform congregations are embracing the challenge with events on or around Shabbat Noah, from a panel on local environmental justice issues at Beth Haverim Shir Shalom in Mahwah, NJ to a “Humans Gone Wild” walk through exhibit on the environmental impacts of industrialization at Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles. Check back next week for more stories of how Reform communities celebrated Shabbat Noah; and if you are hosting an event, let us know so we can tell the story of how committed the Reform Movement is to environmental sustainability.

Shabbat Noah is just one in a series of events this month – in the faith community and beyond – designed to raise awareness and call people to action for the safety and sustainability of our energy and environmental future. Just last week, the National Council of Churches called for a National Day of Prayer and healing for the people and ecosystems devastated by the Gulf oil spill, and congregations took part with newsletter articles, special prayers and services, and starting petitions for the Gulf. Interfaith Power & Light, a national interfaith response to global warming with chapters in over 30 states, is calling on congregations to join the 10% challenge to cut carbon emissions.

The Sunday following our environmental Shabbat is the “10/10/10″ Global Work Party, a day of local climate action sponsored by the 350.org campaign, the 1Sky campaign and many others. There are thousands of 10/10/10 actions planned in countries around the world, and it’s easy to host your own event. Even the President is getting involved in National Energy Awareness Month, pledging earlier this week to finally bring solar energy back to the White House. All of us – working together – can begin to ensure that the story of Noah does not repeat itself in our time.

And if you haven’t yet planned your Shabbat Noah celebration, don’t worry, it’s not too late! Get started with the our special Shabbat Noah text study, prayers, and other resources; and check out a wide variety of worship and action resources on environmental issues from our partners throughout the Jewish community (hosted by the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life). So how will you join the Shabbat Noah movement this weekend and in the years ahead?