Chief is on message for Green Shabbat

RABBIS FROM across the religious spectrum backed the second Green Shabbat with Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis among those who released video messages in support of the initiative, promoted by Ecosynagogue and the Board of Deputies.

“The coronavirus lockdown has highlighted for us in so many ways how irresponsible our societies have been with regard to the environment,” Rabbi Mrivis said.

Other videos were issued by Reform senior rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, Rabbi Charley Baginsky, interim joint director of Liberal Judaism, Muswell Hill United Synagogue’s Rabbi David Mason and Board vice-president Edwin Shuker.

Rabbi Baginsky recalled how during lockdown, she opened the window and was conscious of hearing the birds and not feeling pollution all around. Perhaps for nature, this period had “really been its Shabbat of Shabbats”, she suggested.

An online seminar was organised as part of the cross-communal venture, which also marked London Climate Action Week.