Biography
Miriam Silverman Israel is a dual-masters candidate pursuing a Masters of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (MALD) at The Fletcher School, Tufts University, as well as a Masters of Theological Studies (MTS) at the Harvard Divinity School. Her studies focus on the human impacts of climate change policy, including adaptation and resilience, equity and inclusion and the role of faith-based advocacy in promoting greater climate ambition. She is Co- President of the Fletcher Energy and Environment Club and part of the Fletcher Initiative for Religion, Law and Diplomacy leadership team.
Paper Abstract
The increase in climate impacts, including extreme weather events and disruptions to our daily lives, has made it difficult to ignore the realities of climate change and forced individuals and communities to reckon with feelings of climate grief and anxiety. Jewish theological tradition, which has often grappled with change and upheaval can provide lessons for dealing with climate grief and our collective response to the climate crisis. How can Jewish conceptions of obligation to the Earth help to motivate our communities into action, rather than despair? Through textual analysis of Mishnaic and contemporary Jewish sources, as well as personal reflection, this paper discusses the possibilities for action that can exist when we accept climate grief as something sacred, rather than letting it make us feel helpless. By making holy our immense grief at the destruction of the natural world, we can both acknowledge the legitimacy of those feelings while giving ourselves the tools to take action and build our own resilience. Expanding the definition of holiness, and understanding it as something that is deeply democratic, allows for increased individual agency over our feelings and provides an opportunity to create new meaning in our despair.