“An Inconvenient Truth”

Dear fellow congregants,

Last night the Environmental Issues Committee of the Sisterhood organized an outing to see Al Gore’s movie on global warming, “An Inconvenient Truth.”  A group of about 15 went to the movie, including a few members of Tree of Life Congregation.  Afterwards, most of us stayed to discuss the movie, and I would like to report on that discussion.

First, we felt it is very important that as many people as possible see this movie.  There are free showings this Tuesday and Wednesday nights:  Tuesday night sponsored by the SC Wildlife Federation (256-0670) and Wednesday night, sponsored by Kai Guettner (233-77624 and Shannon Staley (843-260-8407).  The theater, Columbiana Grande Cinema, expects to keep the movie running for another 1 1/2 weeks.  There are afternoon shows for those who don’t drive at night.  Try to carpool with someone.  It is good to see it with other people.

Another option for learning about this subject:  Tom Brockow has a new documentary on global warming, which will be aired on TV this Sunday night on Discovery Channel:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13756299/

 

Second, Catherine Morgan offered to keep an e-mail list of people interested in staying informed and taking action in the synagogue and Jewish community.  Please contact her if you would like to be on the e-mail list at cbmorgan@usit.net.  We welcome leadership on this committee.  Whatever your interest, please volunteer.

Third, Carolyn Hudson, a member of Tree of Life, has been asked for form a Jewish committee as part of the Christian Action Committee for this issue.  If you’d like to help with that, contact her at earth18@earthlink.net

Fourth, Misti Benchabbat, a new member, offered to arrange a speaker, possibly for our adult education series on Sunday mornings.  Misti is an environmental engineer.  Also, Andrew Seidenberg, son of Ellen and Fred, who is starting his master’s in Environmental Health at Yale in the fall, offered to help design an energy strategy for Beth Shalom.

Our overwhelming feeling, after viewing this movie, is that global warming is a matter of great urgency that we need to address immediately and collectively.  The situation reminds me of Noah and the flood.  But in this case, there is no ark that can save us.  The earth is our only ark.

With love and prayer,

Meira Warshauer

Environmental Issues Committee

Beth Shalom Sisterhood