A Jewish Approach to Climate Action

Rabbi Yonatan Neril will explore Jewish teachings that relate to ecology and why it's so critical that Jewish communities mobilize to address the climate crisis. We are facing the greatest challenge we have ever faced and Jewish wisdom has a critical role in informing values and environmental behavior. Religion is a fundamental part of many people's lives and a key motivator. Rabbi Neril, who is visiting Denver from Jerusalem, will also share about the work of his Jerusalem-based NGO in Israel and internationally to promote faith groups inspiring behavioral change for sustainable living.

Rabbi Yonatan Neril founded and directs the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD), which reveals the connection between religion and ecology and mobilizes faith communities to act on climate change. ICSD's Jewish Eco Seminars branch engages Jews on Jewish ecology. Rabbi Yonatan authored the bestselling book "Eco Bible: An Ecological Commentary on the Hebrew Bible." He speaks internationally on religion and ecology, including at the World Economic Forum in Davos, multiple UN climate conferences, and the Parliament of World Religions. In December 2023 he co-organized the first-ever Faith Pavilion at a UN climate conference (COP28 in Dubai), which included 70 sessions with 325 speakers. Rabbi Yonatan has also co-organized twelve interfaith environmental conferences in the U.S. and Israel. In addition, he advances faith-based renewable energy innovation in the developing world, facilitating development of a solar field on church lands in Mozambique. Raised in California, Rabbi Yonatan completed his M.A. and B.A. from Stanford University where he conducted research on renewable energy in India, and on genetically modified corn in Mexico. He received rabbinical ordination in Israel and lives with his wife, Shana, and their two children in Jerusalem. He enjoys hiking and being in nature.