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| Speakers Bureau Contact our Director Rabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener to learn what we can offer your congregation. Somethings you may be interested in having at your congregation could be:
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Books Please call or email our
office to arrange to use books or magazines from our resource center:
(860) 231-8554, info@irejn.org |
| “Earth and All the Stars”,
Anne Rowthorn (ed), 2000, New World Library. This is an anthology, which includes prayers, litanies, songs and meditations from the world’s great religions and cultures, including Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and Native American traditions. Writers, litanies, songs and prayers from many different religious traditions are represented. It’s a great resource for worship and other community gathering events. |
| “Earth Prayers”, Elizabeth
Roberts and Elias Amidon, (ed), 1991, HarperSanFrancisco. This is a collection of prayers, sayings, songs, chants from religions around the world. This is a less monotheistic collection than “Earth and All the Stars” but I find it very helpful. |
| “The Great Work”, Thomas
Berry, 1999, Random House. The primary focus of the work, and Berry’s call to the “Great Work”, is “How can/should human beings live in relation to the Universe of which we are a part in a sustainable, thoughtful way that feeds our bodies and our souls? How can we find intimacy with each other and the universe, once again? Berry is a cultural historian and speaks thoughtfully of economics, politics and religion as keys to understanding our proper role as part of the cosmos. The Great Work is to understand where we are, how we got here and what we humans need to do in order to live in right relation to each other and all the other creatures of the universe. It is to “move from a period of human devastation of the Earth to a period when humans would be present to the planet in a mutually beneficial manner” (p.3). |
| “The Hand of God”,
Sharon Begley, Introduction, Michael Reagan, ed., 1999, Templeton
Foundation Press, Philadelphia. This is a beautiful book of photographs taken from the Hubble Telescope with quotes from scientists, philosophers, theologians, poets, writers. The relation between science and religion, faith and reason are explored through the beauty of the Universe and the few words of people who stand in awe of it all. |
| “The Ecology of Eden”,
Evan Eisenberg, 1998, Knopf, New York. This is a great discussion of the human species in relationship to wilderness, the place and purpose of human culture, cities, garden. He raises a variety of cultural myths through the ages and relates them to current cultural practices and attitudes and attempts to locate our “proper” place in life. |
| “Let the Mountains Talk, Let
the Rivers Run”, David Brower, 2000, HarperCollins, New
York. Brower is the foremost environmentalist of the 20th century who died almost two years ago at the age of 88. These are reflections on a life of commitment, activism and fun in working to preserve the Earth. There is deep insight and encouragement from a person who has “seen it all” and done so much in the fight to preserve the planet. |
| Videos |
Lighten Up! By the Regeneration Project, a partner of California Power and Light. Lighten Up! features faith based fireband/activist "Eco Sal", The Reverand Sally Bingham. This 30 minute film is an excellent primer to the causes and effects of global warming as well as the faith based imperative to respond. Available with study guide to borrow. Copies can be purchased from the Regeneration Project. |
| “The Greening of Faith: Why
the Environment is a Christian Concern” Two videos. Program One: Theology and Spirituality (30 minutes) Program Two: Ethics (27 minutes) Earth Ministry, a Christian ecumenical ministry in Seattle, produces this video. It has beautiful scenery, good music, and very articulate people from a variety of Christian traditions speaking on issues of faith and care of creation. |
| “Keeping the Earth: Religious
and Scientific Perspectives on the Environment” This is a beautiful video produced by the Union of Concerned Scientists and the National Religious Partnership for the Environment. James Earl Jones narrates this and the “scenery” is beautiful. Scientists and people from Christian and Jewish perspectives speak on creation and its meaning for all life. There is a Discussion Guide that goes with this. |
| “God’s Creation and Global Warming” Produced by the National Council of Churches, USA. This 17 minute video is an excellent overview of climate change and the scientific and religious perspectives of the problem. An excellent video. |
| Other Educational Resources |
| “Treasury of Celebrations: Create
Celebrations that Reflect Your Values and Don’t Cost the Earth”,
Carolyn Pogue (ed), Alternatives, 1996, Northstone Publishing. This is a collection of ceremonies, celebrations and programs to honor special occasions, holidays, etc. in a simple and meaningful manner. Sections include Gifts, The Celebrations, Rites of Passage. |
| “It’s God’s World:
Christians, the Environment and Climate Change”, Published
by the Eco-Justice Working Group of the National Council of Churches
of Christ, USA. This is a five session study for congregations. The sessions are: 1) And God Saw That it Was Good, 2) The Whole Creation Groans, 3) Stand at the Crossroads, 4) Reconciling the World, and, 5) A New Heaven and a New Earth. Each session has Bible study and short essays on climate change and the problems it brings. |
| “Simplicity as Compassion”,
by Michael Schut formerly of Earth Ministry. This is an eight week session of study, reflection and conversation on the meaning of simplicity and how simple life styles give great meaning to personal lives and effect the Earth in a very positive way. “Ultimately, these false idols of materialism, status, productivity and human hubris keep us in bondage, for they cannot deeply satisfy; if we pursue one of these idols or what they offer, we find their promise hollow. Ultimately then, simplicity is about movement toward freedom which is what Jesus is about too.” This resource is filled with good essays, ideas, thought-provoking questions, and resources for further discussion and action. |
| “Eco-Fun”, by David Suzuki and Kathy Vanderlinden. Greystone Books a division of Douglas Et McINtyre Ltd. 2323 Quebec Street, Suite 201, Vancouver, British Columbia V6K 4S2. This is a book for children and youth (and adults!) filled with great projects, experiments and games intended to get one actively engaged with the Earth. The book is divided into the following sections: Air, Water, Earth (dirt, soil, compost), Fire (gases, light, sun), Animals/Plants. Excellent for retreats with young people, and experiential teaching. |