Global warming

Steven Chizzik President

Global warming might be the most vexing problem that we are passing down to our grandchildren. We, here in Southwest Florida, have recently experienced some of the effects of global warming. Hurricanes this past season wreaked havoc on us. Wildfires, draughts, water shortages and heat waves are affecting various parts of our country. Rising sea levels, flooding and melting of the polar ice and the effect on all wildlife continues to worsen. Many of our friends lost homes, cars and an abundance of possessions in those recent storms.

Extreme climate events are unfortunately becoming more frequent as the Earth continues to warm. The last decade (2011-2020) was the warmest decade on earth. Temperatures have risen globally by 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit since 1850, primarily caused by an increase in greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane.

At a recent UN climate summit, countries couldn’t agree on limiting the pre-1850 temperature rise to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit, they only agreed to “urge,” but not “require,” countries to accelerate their plans for greenhouse-gas cuts, as some developing countries pushed back.

Changes have begun, but certainly not enough! Switching away from fossil fuels (especially coal) to renewable energy like solar and wind will help, but emission levels need to be reduced now!

An important concept in Judaism is called Tikkun Olam, which translates “to heal the world.” In Tikkun Olam, Jews strive to make the world a better place, to right wrongs, to help others. Keeping the Earth healthy and clean couldn’t be a better way of “healing the world.” According to Midrash, the commentary on Torah law, when G-d created the world and the first man, he took Adam around and showed him the trees in the Garden of Eden, telling him, “See my handiwork, how beautiful they are. Be careful not to ruin and destroy my world, for if you do, there is no one to repair it after you.”

The Jewish Federation of North America has partnered with other wellknown Jewish organizations to create the Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition, the goal of which is learn, share and support each other as we plan new climate actions going forward. I hope each of us does his/ her share to improve this world.

Happy New Year to all!

Please see the calendar below for all the great events taking place at Beth Tikvah this month.

I, again, would like to remind everyone that Beth Tikvah is now off ering new members their first year’s dues free of charge. If you or a friend wishes to experience the warmth and community found at Beth Tikvah, please join us.

Beth Tikvah is the affiliated congregation in Greater Naples of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). We are grateful to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples (JFGN) for support of our Scholar in Residence, Naples Jewish Film Festival and All Things Jewish programs.

Beth Tikvah Happenings

• Jan. 8, 4 p.m. – Richie Boys Film

• Jan. 13, 6:15 p.m. – Shabbat dinner with Scholar in Residence Bernie Lubran; discussion of Richie Boys in WWII

• Jan. 14, 9:30 a.m. – Scholar in Residence Shabbat with Bernie Lubran

• Jan. 19, 10 a.m. – Book Group: “Three Floors Up”

• Jan. 22, 10 a.m. – Women’s Rosh Chodesh

• Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m. – Speaker Series: Stuart Mest

• Every Tuesday at 12:15 p.m. – Rabbi Chorny’s Lunch and Learn via Zoom

• Friday services begin at 6:15 p.m. in person and Zoom

• Saturday services begin at 9:30 a.m. in person and Zoom

• Sunday morning services begin at 9 a.m. in person and Zoom

• We convene Yahrzeit minyanim upon request.

Please check the Beth Tikvah website, www.bethtikvahnaples.org, for details of all our events. You may reach Rabbi Chorny directly at 239-537-5257.