USA: Jewish Vegetarian Groups to protest Orthodox Union event

celebrating the eating of many animals

PRESS RELEASE

July 30, 2007

Contact person: Richard H. Schwartz,
President of the Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA)
President@JewishVeg.com;
Phone (718) 761-5876;
web site: jewishveg.com;
articles at JewishVeg.com/schwartz

An announcement about the protest demonstration is below *).

We will be happy to be interviewed about the issues and we challenge the Orthodox Union and other Jewish leaders to a respectful dialogue/debate on “Should Jews Be Vegetarians Today?”

We are holding this demonstration because we believe that it is essential to educate Jews and others of the importance of shifting away from animal-based diets which threaten human health and the sustainability of the planet.

DEFEND JEWISH VALUES BS”D

*) A demonstration will be held on August 5, 2007 at Prime Grill Restaurant - 421 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills from 5:15 to 6:30 PM to protest the “Halachic Seudah” of the Orthodox Union (OU) involving (to quote the OU's announcement) “a 15-course dinner including exotic and rare kosher items such as quail, red deer, fleishig eggs, shibuta, bison, udder and more.”

As Jews who are to be “rachmanim b'nei rachmanim” (compassionate children of compassionate ancestors), is this “Halachic Seudah” the way we want Judaism to be represented today?

What must G-d, “whose mercies are over all His creatures,” think about such an event celebrating gluttony?

At a time when there is an epidemic of diseases that have been scientifically linked to the eating of meat in the Jewish and other communities and animal-based agriculture is contributing to global climate change and other environmental treats, and billions of farmed animals are very cruelly treated on factory farms, should we be celebrating and encouraging the eating of meat?

Why is the Jewish community ignoring the many moral issues related to our diets, including the fact that the production and consumption of meat and other animal products contradict basic Jewish mandates to treat animals compassionately, preserve our health, protect the environment, conserve natural resources and help hungry people.

The demonstration is sponsored by Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA), Jews for Animal Rights (JAR) and Concern for Helping Animals in Israel (CHAI) [List in formation.]

Protest signs will be provided at the event.

The demonstrators will be addressed by Professor Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D.. president of Jewish Vegetarians of North America and of the Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians (SERV) and author of the books “Judaism and Vegetarianism” and “Judaism and Global Survival.”

Some Hollywood personalities will also speak (to be announced).

For further information, please contact

Janine Bransom
at a11massage@aol.com or

Richard Schwartz
at President@JewishVeg.com, or
(718) 761-5876.

===

Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D.,
Professor Emeritus, College of Staten Island
Author of "Judaism and Vegetarianism," "Judaism and Global Survival," and "Mathematics and Global Survival,"
President of Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA) and
Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians (SERV)
Phone: 718-761-5876
FAX: 718-982-3631
rschw12345@aol.com

Source: Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, College of Staten Island
Author: JVNA

Link: Health Benefits of Vegetarianism
Link: Humane Meat: A Contradiction in Terms