EcoJudaism, a leading environmental charity, made history by organizing the UK’s first Jewish eco vigil in Parliament Square. The initiative, which brought together a diverse segment of the
Jewish community, earned praise from MP Sarah Sackman for “being at the heart of government and holding us to account.”
The landmark event saw participation from religious leaders, community figures, students, and interfaith allies. Key attendees included Phil Rosenberg, President of the Board of Deputies; Barnaby Nemko, United Synagogue Communities Director; and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, founder of EcoJudaism. The JCoSS school choir from Barnet lent an emotional resonance to the occasion with a heartfelt performance.
Naomi Verber, CEO of EcoJudaism, urged the government to prioritize sustainability, emphasizing the Jewish commitment to environmental stewardship. “Choose life—for people, for wildlife, and for the planet,” she implored, warning that unchecked economic growth undermines the essence of life itself. Verber underscored the need for environmental responsibility to be seen as a fundamental moral and religious duty within the Jewish community.
Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg, a member of EcoJudaism’s rabbinic advisory board, criticized current leadership for neglecting ecological stewardship. “Young people often surpass us in their dedication and activism,” he observed. Linking the vigil’s urgency to the COP29 climate summit, Wollenberg called on leaders to take bold action. “Do not let us down when it comes to safeguarding our environment, ecosystems, and very existence,” he urged.
The event marked a significant step in uniting faith and activism, challenging both the government and the community to prioritize the planet’s future. Photo by Alex Proimos from Sydney, Australia, Wikimedia commons.
