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Targum Shlishi Funds a Series of New Podcasts

November 2, 2007 – An enlightening discussion of environmental consciousness and Jewish law can now be heard in a contemporary medium that is well-suited to the busy schedules of professionals.

The Jewish Legal Heritage Society (JLHS), with support from Targum Shlishi, has produced a series of three podcasts entitled The Jewish Relationship to the Environment. The series is based on the book, Environment and Judaism; Legal and Philosophical Perspectives, by Nahum Rakover, a scholar of traditional Jewish law and head of the JLHS.

The idea of presenting this information as audiofiles available on the Internet was conceived and proposed by Targum Shlishi, and the JLHS accepted the challenge. It is the first time Targum Shlishi has funded a project of this nature, and the first time JLHS has produced audio material for the Internet.

“More than ever, environmental issues are front and center in today’s society,” says Aryeh Rubin, director of Targum Shlishi. “The Jewish Legal Heritage Society has framed these issues in the context of Jewish traditions, raising important questions about how we think about our environmental stewardship responsibilities. With these podcasts, we are making Jewish scholarship on this critical topic more accessible than ever. We deliberately chose this new medium because of its flexibility and adaptability to today’s busy lifestyle.”

The Jewish Relationship to the Environment will be of particular interest to those concerned with the connections between spirituality and nature. Is saving the environment something everyone is just expected to do? Or is there something to be positively to be gained? How does the Torah see our obligations toward the environment? These are just some of the provocative questions raised in these podcasts.

The podcasts focus on the following:

Podcast 1. Green, Why?

Explores the question of what Judaism has to say about man’s relationship to the environment.

Podcast 2. Spirituality and the Environment.

Discusses how Judaism sees man as having been given ownership of the world – along with the obligation to be a good steward.

Podcast 3. Environment – How?

Provides practical tips, derived from the Torah, on how to care for the environment.
The podcasts are available on the Targum Shlishi website or they can be downloaded from iTunes.

About The Jewish Legal Heritage Society

The Jewish Legal Heritage Society is a nonprofit organization founded in 1981 to promote the understanding of Jewish Law and its relevance to modern society. It is led by Professor Rakover, former Deputy Attorney-General of Israel and recipient of the prestigious Israel Prize. A widely published author, Rakover is interested in the applications of traditional Jewish law to modern Israeli law. The Society is based in Jerusalem, where The Jewish Relationship to the Environment podcasts were produced.

About Targum Shlishi

Targum Shlishi, a Raquel and Aryeh Rubin Foundation, is dedicated to providing a range of creative solutions to problems facing Jewry today. Premised on the conviction that dynamic change and adaptation have historically been crucial to a vibrant and relevant Judaism and to the survival of its people, Targum Shlishi’s initiatives are designed to stimulate the development of new ideas and innovative strategies that will enable Jewish life, its culture, and its traditions to continue to flourish. For more information on the foundation, visit its website.

For Media and Other Inquiries

Contact Targum Shlishi at 305.692.9991 or e-mail info@targumshlishi.org

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