73. Vegan Rabbi on Being a Jewish Vegan

Plant-Powered People Podcast

How much does veganism have to do with Jewish values? Turns out, a lot! Rabbi Shmuly is one of the most influential Rabbis in the USA, and he is here to talk about his plant-based journey, the intersection between vegan and Jewish values, and how to stay plant-based at traditional Jewish meals.

Show Notes:

• How Rabbi Shmuly went from no interest in veganism at all to living the plant-based lifestyle
• Raising plant-based children
• How Rabbi Shmuly embraces transformation and compassion
• Why a plant-based lifestyle complements Jewish values
• The difficulty of being in jewish spaces that don’t understand/embrace vegan sensibilities
• How religion can challenge us to not accept the world as it is, but instead to help us envision and work towards what it should be
• How religion can help people to support each other and build community
• How the current food system & factory farming conflicts with Jewish morals
• Why a Kosher label doesn’t always mean the food was produced ethically
• How people are becoming more aware of the suffering of other beings, creating new pathways for change
• Jewish ethos & rejecting dogma
• How the systems of oppression and technologies of destruction towards people compare to the mass slaughter of animals
• Being an advocate for those who aren’t seen or heard
• Tips for using kosher labels to figure out what’s vegan
• How to politely navigate Jewish holidays and traditions as the only vegan in the room
• Feel empowered as a vegan at a traditional meal by hosting the event
• Tips for creating your own vegan traditions
• Vegan ingredient replacements for traditional Jewish dishes
• Vegan Jewish recipe suggestions
• The importance of deepening our inner world in order to create change in the outer world
• Thank you to our sponsors Maxine’s Heavenly & Natreve

Resources:

• Rabbi Shmuly’s books
• Vegan Passover guide
• Vegan Hanukkah guide
• Vegan challah bread recipe
• Vegan noodle kugel recipe
• Carrot lox recipe
• Vegan latke recipe
• Vegan matzo ball soup recipe