Temple B’nai Israel’s Susan and Barry Koh Lecture Series presents The Ethics of ClimateChange: The Planet, Our Common Home, on Thursday February 12 at 7 PM.
Keynote speaker Rabbi Sergio Bergman will focus on the concepts of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as well as ethical economic frameworks for development.
Rabbi Bergman, the president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ), is a qualified scientist and the first rabbi appointed as a government minister in Argentina. In collaboration with international religious leaders, including Pope Francis, he has promoted the religious and moral obligations to protect the environment.
This lecture will explore how Sustainable Development, viewed through the lens of universal values, recognizes that climate change is a symptom rather than the root cause. The methods by which we manufacture goods and utilize natural resources reflect our underlying values. This perspective integrates the concepts of Sustainable Development Goals, the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement (https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda).
In 2015, Rabbi Bergman was appointed Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Argentina. During his tenure (2015-2019) he led key environmental initiatives, including the creation of six National Parks and the establishment of Argentina’s first Marine Protected Areas.
In 2019, he was recognized by Apolitical, a foundation whose mission is to promote representative political leadership for the21st century capable of building democracies that serve citizens and the planet, as one of the 100 most influential global figures in the fight against climate change.
Since 2020, Rabbi Bergman has served as a President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ), leading the global movement in advancing Jewish life, values, and education worldwide. The WUPJ represents over 1250 congregations in over 50 countries.
The event, with a coffee reception following the lecture, is free, but registration is required. Register at
