"A SACRED DUTY" DEBUTS!

TWO "Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion" Co-Authors Involved in Groundbreaking Documentary!

by Kris Haley, Best Friends Manager of Multifaith Outreach/Animals & Religion

Join us for an interview with Professor Richard Schwartz, one of the co-authors of A Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion and Associate Producer of the newly released: “A SACRED DUTY: APPLYING JEWISH VALUES TO HELP HEAL THE WORLD.” Professor Schwartz, along with fellow Proclamation co-author Roberta Kalechofsky, were instrumental in the creation of this remarkable film.

This outstanding, one-hour documentary features leading Israeli and American environmentalists, medical authorities, educators, social activists and animal rights experts. It addresses the environmental crisis facing humanity from a Jewish perspective, but has a universal perspective that will appeal to people of other religions as well as secular people. With global warming threatening catastrophic impacts, it is imperative that we respond quickly to shift our imperiled planet to a sustainable path. The message of, “A SACRED DUTY” contains many lessons, the most significant of which includes how to live in peace with our fellow beings and, through that, make a significant impact on the future of our planet.

Best Friends was fortunate to be able to sit down with Professor Richard Schwartz, Associate Producer of “A SACRED DUTY,” to talk about the film, its message and his role in bringing it about.

BF: Professor Schwartz, Best Friends is extremely fortunate to acknowledge the fact that not just one…but two of you involved in the making of this momentous film were also co-authors of, “A Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion,” recently unveiled in Washington, DC. How is it that both you, and Roberta Kalechofsky, came together to play such prominent roles in the making of this film?

I have had the pleasure of working with Roberta on animal rights and vegetarian issues for over 25 years. Her review of the manuscript of the first edition of my book Judaism and Vegetarianism around 1980 was the impetus for Roberta to become a vegetarian and an animal right activist. Her publishing company Micah Publications published the second edition of that book.

Roberta's efforts for vegetarianism and animal rights is extensive and invaluable. She founded Jews for Animal rights and has directed it from the start. She has written, edited and published many books on animal rights and vegetarianism, as well as a number of other books, including some novels. Micah publications can be considered to be the publishing arm of the Jewish vegetarian movement and much more. Roberta frequently contributes letters and articles to many publications, speaks to many groups and networks at many conferences, all of which greatly helps the animal rights and vegetarian causes.

I just wish there were many more like her, and I look forward to working with Roberta for many more years, G-d willing.

BF: This is an extraordinary film with an incredibly timely message, can you summarize the message of the movie for us?

The movie stresses three major themes:

1. The world is imperiled as possibly never before by global warming and many other environmental threats. Many examples of environmental problems in Israel and worldwide are shown.

2. Judaism has teachings that provide a powerful basis for responding to current environmental threats. Examples of groups in Israel and the US applying these values are discussed.

3. A shift toward vegetarianism is an essential part of the necessary response to global warming and other environmental threats. All the reasons for Jews (and others) to be vegetarians are carefully considered.

BF: How do you feel the message of the film ties in with the Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion?

The Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion is a wonderful document that has great potential to awaken people from many faiths to the strong teachings that every religion has about the proper treatment of animals. The fact that leaders from many religions drafted it makes the statement very significant. It is certainly consistent with Judaism and I am proud to be associated with it.

"A SACRED DUTY" shows in a sensitive, but dramatic, way how far the current treatment of animals on factory farms is from religious teachings about compassion to animals. I hope that it will help build on the Proclamation to inspire many people to change the current massive mistreatment of animals in many settings.

BF: You are unquestionably familiar with the recent film, An Inconvenient Truth? Is your film an attempt to fill in the missing piece of that film, which neglected to address the impact of a meat-based diet on global warming?

Yes, absolutely! We want to make people aware of another inconvenient truth - that animal-based agriculture emits more green house gases (in carbon dioxide equivalents) than all the cars, trucks, ships, planes and other forms of transportation worldwide combined (18% vs. 13.5%).

Of course, we wanted to show much more, including that the world is rapidly heading toward an unprecedented catastrophe and steps must be taken immediately to respond, that it is essential that religious values be applied in response and that a major shift toward vegetarianism is an essential part of efforts to shift our imperiled world to a sustainable path.

BF: There is so much heightened awareness these days with regard to global warming. Is the world really so seriously threatened?

It is becoming increasingly clear that the modern world is threatened as never before by climate change and other environmental crises. There are almost daily news reports re severe storms, floods, droughts and wildfires, melting polar ice caps and glaciers and many other indications of global warming.

Key climate scientists, including James Hansen of NASA, are warning that we may reach a tipping point within a decade after which global warming will spiral out of control, with disastrous consequences -- unless major changes are soon made. Recent reports, including the landmark “Livestock's Long Shadow,” by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, have highlighted the major contributions of animal-based agriculture to the crisis our planet faces. It is therefore urgent, and more timely than ever, that the message of “A SACRED DUTY” -- with its emphasis on the urgent need for a global shift to plant-based eating and agriculture -- be widely spread and heeded.

A major report by the Israel Union for Environmental Defense pointed out Israel's special vulnerabilities to global climate change, in terms of reduced rainfall, severe storms and flooding from a rising Mediterranean sea.

BF: This film deals, very directly, with the issue of global warming. Do you have any concerns that those who see the film will leave the theater feeling overwhelmed or hopeless?

Although the movie deals with very weighty and serious issues, it ends on a positive and optimistic note, using a collage of dramatic images and inspiring music, to encourage viewers to consider how they can play their part in helping to heal the planet and improve their lives.

Also, the movie shows the Israeli university-based environmental group Green Course discussing responses to environmental threats, the cooperative efforts of Jews and Arabs at the Arava Institute to respond to regional environmental threats and two American rabbis discussing the “greening” of their synagogues, so viewers are shown some positive responses.

BF: The film is compelling with scenes filmed from around the world. Is its release tied to any particular campaign?

We are building a massive, unprecedented campaign around movie showings to help shift our imperiled world to a sustainable path, help revitalize Judaism (and perhaps other religions) and get vegetarianism and related issues onto the Jewish and other agendas.

We plan to use our many contacts in the vegetarian, animal rights, Jewish and other communities and the increasing awareness of current environmental and health crises to challenge all societal groups to make the major changes, including a shift toward plant-based diets, necessary to address current environmental threats.

We would like the movie to be screened in as many JCCs, synagogues, Jewish schools, meetings of Jewish organizations, etc., as possible. We hope that those who request them will use the free DVDs that we will provide to help set up such events and see that they get widespread media coverage and a sizable attendance, including religious leaders, educators and other key people in the Jewish community and other communities. We will also strive to arrange showings for other religious audiences and for general audiences.

BF: What other steps will be taken to further that campaign?

To build on and magnify the publicity related to the movie premieres, we are also planning a major letter writing campaign building on the themes of the movie, discussing the nature of present threats, why Jews (and others) should be involved, and the importance of a shift toward vegetarianism.

We have produced 10,000 DVDs, and we will also be sending out free copies to Rabbis and other key members of the Jewish community and other communities. We would like to challenge Rabbis to respectful email discussions/debates on “Should Jews Be Vegetarians?” and hope to extend this into other communities. We also wish to challenge the media to stop generally ignoring the messages we are presenting re the major threats to humanity, the failure of the Jewish community to adequately respond and the necessity for major dietary shifts in response to current threats.

Through these and more steps, we aim to do nothing less than change the consciousness of Jews and others regarding the threats facing all of humanity and the entire creation, vegetarianism, the need to respond to current environmental threats and much more. We have great potential we welcome everyone's help in promoting the movie and our messages.

BF: Has the film had a formal premiere?

The world premiere was at the Orthodox Union's Israel Center in Jerusalem on the evening of Monday, November 12, as part of an all-day program I organized on global warming and other environmental threats to Israel. Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen, Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi of Haifa, Rabbi David Rosen, former Chief Rabbi of Ireland and Alon Tal, a leading Israeli environmentalist (all of whom have prominent parts in the movie), spoke. The U.S. premiere was at the Staten Island JCC on Tuesday evening, November 20, as part of their already scheduled Jewish film festival.

BF: How will the movie be distributed?

As a non-profit organization, Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA) will make the movie available completely free of charge to religious groups, educational institutions, the media and others who might be interested in it. Any donations we receive will be used to more broadly distribute the film.

BF: What has the general response of the Jewish community (and other communities) been to the issues raised in the movie?

Regrettably, prior to the movie's release, in spite of the severity of the global environmental crisis and Judaism's powerful teachings on environmental stewardship, the Jewish community, like most communities, has generally not paid sufficient attention to global warming and other environmental threats and the urgent need to respond. As Al Gore has quipped, “Denial is more than just a river in Africa.” "A SACRED DUTY" aims to break through the apathy, ignorance and denial that is all too prevalent today. So far, the reception has been very positive, especially among vegetarian activists, who see it as a powerful outreach tool.

BF: Why does the movie make such a strong argument for vegetarianism?

"A SACRED DUTY" makes a very strong case for vegetarianism from a Jewish perspective by dramatically showing that animal-based diets and agriculture violate basic Jewish mandates to preserve our health and the environment, to treat animals with compassion and to feed the hungry. These are strong "buttons" to push, and in the format of our passionate, professionally made film they can influence thousands of Jews (and other viewers) to choose a more compassionate diet.

While all the arguments for vegetarianism are fully presented, "A SACRED DUTY" includes especially challenging coverage of the mistreatment of animals on factory farms, thanks to the powerful footage provided to us by animal rights groups. These are "buttons" that can transform (and save) lives.

BF: Who are some of the key people interviewed in the movie?

The movie includes interviews with leading vegetarians, animal rights activists, environmentalists and health professionals in both the United States and Israel. Among the interview subjects that we have been fortunate to have in the movie are:

Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen -- Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi of Haifa and a life-long vegetarian
Rabbi David Rosen -- Former Chief Rabbi of Ireland
Rabbi Yonassan Gershom - A Breslov Chassid and author
Jonathan Wolf - Founder and first president of Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA)
Roberta Kalechofsky - Founder and director of Jews for Animal Rights (JAR) and Micah Publications; author, editor and publisher.
Richard H. Schwartz - Author of “Judaism and Vegetarianism' and President of Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA)
Rabbi Michael Cohen - Director of the Green Zionist Alliance (GZA) and a teacher at the Arava Institute in Israel
Rabbi Adam Frank - Rabbi of the largest Conservative synagogue in Israel
Rabbi Warren Stone, Chairman of the Central Conference of Reform Rabbis' environmental Committee
Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, a Reconstructionist Rabbi who is also an environmental activist
Dr. Joel Fuhrman, M.D. - A leading author and physician who specializes in natural healing
Rabbi Simchah Roth - Rabbi of a Conservative synagogue in Herzilia, Israel

Israeli Environmentalists
Alon Tal - Leading Israeli environmentalist; founder of the Israel Union for Environmental defense: author of “Pollution in a Promised Land.
Samuel Chayen - Israeli environmental activist
Raanan Boral - Environmental expert for the Society of Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI)
Yael Cohen Paran - A leader of Green Course, an Israeli student-based environmental group
Yair Cohen - A leader of Green Course, an Israeli student environmental group
Yael Ukeles, Ph.D. - Israeli environmentalist
Eli Groner - Teacher of environmental studies at the Arava Institute

A SACRED DUTY includes Biblical readings from acclaimed Broadway and screen actor Theodore Bikel.

BF: Can you tell us about the movie's producer?

The film was made by multi-award-winning producer/director/writer/cinematographer Lionel Friedberg. Having had the great pleasure of working with Lionel for almost two years, I can attest to his great professionalism, dedication and expertise. We are extremely fortunate to have him as the producer of our movie.

It is important to note that Lionel and his wife Diana, a professional editor, accepted no professional fee for their very extensive work on the movie, only reimbursement for their expenses. Their efforts were acts of love and dedication, without which the movie would never have been produced.

BF: Professor Schwartz, would you say that this film is of interest only to those of the Jewish faith?

Although it is primarily intended for a Jewish audience, “A SACRED DUTY” speaks to people everywhere about the ethics of our relationship to the natural world in which we live. The movie's universal message will appeal to anyone interested in such topics as religion, vegetarianism, the environment, health, nutrition, hunger, resource usage and collaboration to help heal our planet.

The movie may be said to be like Levy's Jewish Rye bread - you do not have to be Jewish to appreciate it.

So far we have been receiving great interest from many non-Jews and this is very encouraging to us.

BF: How important is Israel in the movie?

As a model of what is wrong with planet Earth due to human activities, "A SACRED DUTY" hones in on the land of the Bible, on Eretz Yisrael itself. Israel is fraught with environmental problems that never make the headlines. Rivers are dirty; the Dead Sea is drying up; air pollution in metropolitan areas kill thousands every year. There is progress in these fields, but that too never makes the headlines. The movie will shed light on many of these issues while considering the environmental threats faced by the planet as a whole. There is much interest by Jews and non-Jews alike in "the Holy Land" and its future.

BF: It is extraordinary that you were able to include perspectives from all corners of the Jewish faith in the film. Do you feel the film is of greater interest to certain types of Jews, such as religious Jews, secular Jews, etc.?

The movie represents the thinking of Israelis and Americans, with interviews drawn from the Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist and secular segments of modern-day society in both Israel and the US. It conveys a truly broad-based message.

* There are many quotations in the movie from the Torah and other Jewish sacred texts, including the Talmud, since these texts are full of lessons and laws prescribing how we should live mercifully, efficiently, compassionately, and remain responsible custodians of this magnificent, yet highly imperiled world that God has bequeathed to us.

* Though powerful and challenging, "A SACRED DUTY" does not issue decrees or lecture its audience. It offers information on a wide variety of sensitive issues and food for thought. The net effect is a very positive message for all age groups.

* The movie spells out how contemporary diets, lifestyles and
agricultural practices are playing havoc with the environment, contributing to problems like global warming, endangering human health, and adversely affecting the myriad creatures that share our planet. Needless to say, this is a subject that resonates with many, many people today.

BF: Why "A SACRED DUTY?" What inspired that title?

The movie reminds us that, as spiritual people, it is our sacred duty to become aware of current realities and the need to respond to help the world avoid disaster. As concerned people, it is our responsibility to apply the teachings of the Torah and other sacred texts to how we obtain our food, use the resources of the environment, and live among the many creatures that God created alongside us.

BF: Will the film have meaning for those who are not of the Jewish faith?

All of the major religions share the same basic tenets. All have teachings that promote compassion and respect for people, animals and all of creation.

Since working to heal the Earth is really a universal duty for all human beings, our hope is that "A SACRED DUTY" will challenge and inspire both Jews and non-Jews. Early indications are that "A SACRED DUTY" has been well received by people of all faiths, all around the world.

BF: This film is an incredible undertaking with a multidimensional message. If you could have those who view the film leave with one message, what would it be?

Our precious planet is threatened as perhaps never before and we must make the saving of the global environment a central focus of life today. A subset of that is that we should make tikkun olam, the Hebrew phrase for the repair and healing of the world a priority for religious institutions.

BF: We thank you so much for sharing this extraordinary message with us, Professor Schwartz. We wish you the best of luck as, "A SACRED DUTY" continues its journey of compassion!

Many thanks Kris, and I thank you and everyone at Best Friends Animal Society for your strong support and all of your wonderful efforts toward a more humane world.


Professor Emeritus of the College of Staten Island and "A SACRED DUTY" Associate Producer, Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D., is a co-author of A Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion (www.bestfriends.org/signproc.) President of Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA) www.JewishVeg.com as well as the Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians (SERV), Professor Schwartz is also the author of "Judaism and Vegetarianism," "Judaism and Global Survival," and "Mathematics and Global Survival." Over 130 of his articles may be accessed at www.JewishVeg.com/schwartz. For more information or to order a copy of “A SACRED DUTY,” email president@JewishVeg.com or visit www.asacredduty.com

Also seen in the film, “A SACRED DUTY,” writer, speaker and publisher, Roberta Kalechofsky, is the author of seven works of fiction, a monograph on George Orwell, poetry and two collections of essays. She has been published in quarterlies, reviews and anthologies, and was the recipient of Literary Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Massachusetts Council on the Arts. She is available to conduct discussions and workshops on Vegetarianism, Jewish Vegetarianism, Animal Rights, Animal Research and Human Experimentation and Animal Rights and Feminism. Her company, Micah Publications (www.micahbooks.com) is the source for Jewish vegetarian and animal rights books. Ms. Kalechofsky can be contacted at micah@micahbooks.com

To read and sign A Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion, visit www.bestfriends.org/signproc