Reset, Renew, Rethink: A Jewish Sabbatical for our times

 
What would you do with a year off? 
 
Shmita is a once-in-every-seven-year practice that tells Israelites to let their lands lie fallow for a whole year. This ancient agricultural practice remains incredibly relevant today, even for Sydneysiders with no crops. This is because the message of Shmita can be understood in many ways. It is about attending to individual spirituality. It is about addressing community inequity. And it’s about trying to restore global environmental health.
 
The upcoming year of 5782 is a Shmita year, and it represents a powerful opportunity to rethink our roles as stewards of the planet, to reset our commitment to social justice, and to renew ourselves individually. There is no better time to start this journey than during Sukkot, when we think deeply
about our relationship with our natural environment.
 
Join us for the first of a four-part series on Thursday, September 23 at 7pm to reimagine the idea of Shmita, the Jewish sabbatical. In this engaging discussion taking place during the festival of Sukkot, we will consider the idea through spiritual, environmental, and social justice lenses. We will explore ways that each of us can embark on a Shmita journey by adopting simple practices throughout the year.
 
Presenters:
Rabbi Jacqueline Ninio, Emanuel Synagogue
Dr. Susan Banki, Program Director, Master of Social Justice, University of Sydney
Dr. Michal Frankel, Greening Australia and Jewish Sustainability Initiative
 
Register below.
 
The Emanuel Synagogue Social Justice Committee and the Jewish Sustainability Initiative (JewSI).
 
The Jewish Sustainability Initiative (JewSI) draws on Jewish tradition to promote the sustainable use of Earth’s natural resources. The volunteer-led group works with councils, organisations, leaders and individuals to mobilise the Sydney Jewish community to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Find out more here: https://www.sydneyalliance.org.au/jewish-sustainability-initiative