At Potters Bar & Brookmans Park United Synagogue we had a fabulous Shabbat service filled with the wonderful voice of our Rabbi Adam Hill, followed by a special ‘Kinder to the Climate’ Kiddush (think locally-sourced, plant-based delicacies like beetroot falafel, spiced pakora, lentil chips and vegan biscuits with jugs of water) and a talk by our Chair & Eco lead, Juliette Hooker. We were also delighted to welcome our local Hertsmere Councillor, Helen Green, who had reached out to show her support following the Heaton Road Shul attack.
EcoJudaism’s theme for this year’s Eco Shabbat was Genesis Chapter 2 Verse 15 “The Lord G-d took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden, to till it and protect it”. This verse reminds us that we have a dual responsibility to the Earth – to cultivate it and to protect it.
Juliette explained Eco Shabbat and the wonderful work of EcoJudaism, the modern-day interpretation of Genesis 2:15 (our obligation to guard our precious world and its resources) and summarized what Potters Bar & Brookmans Park Shul (currently working towards its Silver EcoJudaism Award) is doing to help its environment and improve its sustainability – including supporting wildlife & Nature in its beautiful Eco Garden. It’s more important now than ever to play our part by making changes, no matter how small, that will help protect and maintain our Earth for future generations.
By Juliette Hooker.
19 November 2025