Article – Jews and Muslims Should Start Talking Again by Sharing a Vegan Meal Together

Article by Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is a rabbi who seeks to do interfaith and social-justice work. He is the President & Dean of the Valley Beit Midrash (Jewish pluralistic adult learning & leadership), the Founder & President of Uri L’Tzedek (Jewish Social Justice), the Founder and CEO of Shamayim (Jewish animal advocacy), the Founder and President of YATOM, (Jewish foster and adoption network), and the author of 22 books on Jewish ethics. 

In his article, in The Times of Israel, Rabbi Yanklowitz talks about how healing can begin between Muslims and Jews by sharing vegan food together. This excellent and important article can be read here.

Picture above – A Jew and a Muslim playing chess in 13th century al-Andalus. El Libro de los Juegos, commissioned by Alphonse X of Castile, 13th century. (Wikimedia Commons)

Highlights from Animal Interfaith Week 2023

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Animal Interfaith Week 2023.  Interfaith Week ran from Sunday 12th – Sunday 19th November and AIA celebrated it with its Animal Interfaith Week.  AIA and its member organisations held a number of events and the highlights from these are shown here.

ASWA Animals in War Memorial Service 2023

The Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals (ASWA) held their 2023 Animals in War Memorial Service on Sunday 12th November at the Park Lane Animal War Memorial.

AIA directors Fr Martin Henig, who co-led the service, and Dr Christina Nellist represented AIA, as well as their own organisations, ASWA and Pan Orthodox Concern for Animals. Dr Nellist laid a wreath for AIA.

We remember those animals, not only in past wars, but who are caught up in the new wars of today, and pray that there will be and end to all wars.

CCA Responds to Pope Francis’ Laudate Deum

Pope Francis released his apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum on 4th October 2023 which follows his historic encyclical letter Laudato Si’, released in 2015, and focuses on the climate crises.  AIA member, Catholic Concern for Animals has responded it to it and their response can be read here.

Invite to V-COP15

You are invited to the upcoming Vegan Convergence Of the People #15 (V-COP 15) which will be held online on 28th & 29th October 2023, 11am – 9pm Eastern time (3pm-1am GMT).

V-COPs are being organised by Climate Healers and have been convening every quarter following the debacle at the UN Conference Of the Parties #26 (COP26) in Glasgow where meat, dairy, fish and eggs were being served in the cafeterias, while nations agreed to continue deforesting the planet until 2030. V-COPs intend to co-create the Greatest Transformation in Human History. As Stephane Pace Marshall said, “Adding wings to caterpillars does not create butterflies.”

The theme for V-COP15 is “Sea of Change” as it will be focusing on the state of our oceans. 

Join V-COP 15 in transitioning from a Climate Heating system to a Climate Healing system, creating a Vegan World by 2026, and ushering in a Homo Ahimsa stage of humanity. 

Also, AIA’s Barbara Gardner will be speaking with AIA patron Dr Lisa Kemmerer and Isabella La Rocca Gonzalez on “Food Choices that Protect the Planet” on Sunday 29th Oct from 11:05-11:55 AM eastern time (15.05-15.55 GMT). Please join us.

Full details of V-COP 15, including the schedule and registration and joining instructions are here.