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“My first involvement as an environmental activist was during the late 1970’s, when a large parcel of pristine woodland on the Palisades of New Jersey was sold to a developer who planned a huge complex of residential and commercial buildings which would have destroyed many of the surrounding nature sanctuaries. I joined with other concerned citizens in opposing this sale, by phone campaigns, petition drives, and lobbying efforts directed to elected officials. Our efforts were successful, and the land was eventually purchased with Green Acres funds, to remain undeveloped in perpetuity. “With my interest having been aroused, I obtained an M.A. degree in Environmental Studies from Montclair State College (now, University), and became founding chairman of the Environment Committee of Temple Emeth in Teaneck. I learned, to my pleased amazement, that many of the environmental issues which occupy us today were dealt with in sacred Jewish literature – the Torah, the Midrash, the Psalms, etc. I then began to give talks to interested groups of seniors and young people about the relationship between Judaism and Environmental Preservation, with special emphasis on God’s commandment to humankind to be stewards of the Earth which God has lent to us – God’s house, in which we are guests. “I also joined GreenFaith, which reinforced both my knowledge of environmental issues and my awareness of the sacred nature of the earth. My involvement with GreenFaith has helped me to consider and solidify my own environmental beliefs. It has also enabled me to share ideals with like-minded people from other faith traditions, and to learn that all religions value stewardship as a commandment from God. GreenFaith has also been a valuable resource to me in my work as Associate Regional Director of the New Jersey-West Hudson Valley Council of the Union of Reform Judaism. “The primary message I try to stress whenever I speak on environmental themes is that few of us are in a position to “change the world;” however, all of us are in the position to change our own little piece of the world, and we have the God-given duty to try to change it for the better. << Back to GreenFaith Members in Action 
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Individual Profiles:
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Paul Kaufman