Spiritual Ecologies: A Day of Reflection on Theology, Contemplation, Education and Activism

In Memory of Rabbi Ellen Bernstein

Join us for a day of reflection and study in memory of our dear friend and colleague Rabbi Ellen Bernstein, a trailblazing educator, a thoughtful scholar, and a pioneer in the field of religious environmental work. This virtual summit provides an opportunity to explore a set of interwoven themes connected to questions of spiritual ecology. Bridging between ancient wisdom and the present crisis, our panelists will speak about the religious values, ideas, and traditions that continue to inform and animate their ecological work and social activism.

Itinerary: 

Theology (8:00am-9:30am PT = 11:00am-12:30pm ET)

Our first panel will discuss what it means to read scripture or sacred text in this time of pressing ecological and looming environmental disaster. They will grapple with the question of how we might “do” theology in our day, considering how religious narratives can help us construct a better future.

William P. Brown – William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament (Columbia Theological Seminary)

Sandra Lubarsky – Professor and President (Flagstaff College)  

David Seidenberg – Founder of NeoHasid.org (Independent Scholar)

Contemplation (10:00am-11:30am PT = 1:00pm-2:30pm ET)

The second session will highlight the power of contemplative ecology, examining how the practices of coming to attention can help us build spiritual sensitivity to see the world with new eyes while stretching our moral imagination. 

Douglas Christie, Professor of Theological Studies (Loyola Marymount University)

Simone Kotva, Faculty of Theology (University of Oslo)

Devin Zuckerman PhD candidate in Religious Studies (University of Virginia)

Education and Activism (12:00pm-1:30pm PT = 3:00pm-4:30pm ET)

Our third and final panel will be devoted to exploring the relationship between scholarship, spiritual education, and activism. Approaching study and application as essentially intertwined, our speakers will share their experiences as teachers and practitioners both in the classroom and in the field.

Christopher Chapple – Doshi Professor of Indic and Comparative Theology and founding Director of the Master of Arts in Yoga Studies (Loyola Marymount University)

Naama Sadan – PhD candidate in Environmental Policy and Education ( Hebrew University and UC Berkeley)

Shamu Sadeh – Managing Director of Education (Adamah Farm and Fellowship)