The Shamayim V'Aretz Institute

Jewish Ethics. Heavenly Ideals. Earthly Compassion.

Animal Welfare Activism: Action Opportunities

Calls to Action

Check out ten ways to make the world a more compassionate and ethical place:

Ask your local restaurant or grocery stores to carry more vegan friendly options.

It's hard to be a vegan if you can't find anything to eat. Let your local restaurant and grocery store know that you and many people in your neighborhood have a vegan and or vegetarian diet and would like to see more options. Let them know that you would like to give them your business but only if they are receptive. You can even let your local kosher restaurant know that we provide a certificate to any restaurant that has a certain amount of vegan options.


Eat less meat and animal products.

If you don't know whether you can go swear off animal products just yet, start slowly. Meatless Monday's is a great way to start. Today, there are so many awesome vegan products and recipes. Check out your local health store. It's not only ethical but also so much healthier. Veggie foods are a good low-calorie alternative with numerable health benefits. Plus vegan foods can be really tasty. Save the planet, save the earth, save your body.


Start using less leather and animal products.

Often people only think about cutting out meat when it comes to living a vegan lifestyle, but they are other ways you can help the environment as well. There are so many fashionable vegan friendly shoe and accessory stores. You can look good, help animals, and save the planet all at once. One Green Planet and The Streets I know are a good source of alternative ingredients and vegan fashion. Also, check out our list of vegan friendly stores.


Join your local community supported agriculture group.

CSA's are a great way to get fresh healthy fruits and vegetables. Today there are CSA's in almost every city. CSA's are a great way to eat delicious fresh from the farm fruits and vegetables that are sustainably grown. Who doesn't love freshly picked fruit? Find your closest CSA here.


Adopt your next pet.

Most pets come from puppy mills, which are large scale commercial breeding operations that care more about profit than the well being of your beloved animal. Instead go to an adoption center and save an animal's life. A lot of adoption centers can't afford to keep animals that aren't being adopted, so they put them to sleep. Check out one of the many adoption websites to find family's next pet.


Call Congress.

A great way to bring about change is through your local congressional representative. Give them a call or visit their local office and advocate for an end to animal cruelty. Let them know that factory farms give tons of antibiotics to farm animals, which is really bad for our health and that the current farming system is destroying our environment. is not okay that animals today are stomped on, dragged, and hit on a daily base. To learn about different legislation click here. To see how factory farms affect you check out this amazing map.


Talk you to your rabbi about kaporos.

If your synagogue is still doing kaporos with chickens set up a meeting to discuss the issue with your rabbi. kaporos. If you want to see some really sad and graphic footage of how kaporos chickens are treated check out the Alliance To End Chicks as Kaporos Youtube channel. You can also sign their petition.


Ask the Israel chief rabbanite to prohibit the use of shackling and hoisting by kosher slaughterhouses.

There are so many Jewish laws aimed at preventing animal suffering. Kosher slaughter is no exception. Shechitah is said to be one of the most compassionate ways to kill an animal, yet today prior to the shechitah process so many animals are shackled and hoisted. Ask Israel's chief rabbi to put an end to this here.


Start a learning initiative.

Jewish sources have so much to say about the importance of maintaining a sustainable compassionate world. Tikkun olam is a pillar of Judaism. Meditation is a great way to tap into nature and creation. You can also start a learning group in your community and create a dialogue addressing these very big issues. If you need help, check out Jewish Vegetarians of North America's site.


Show your friends how easy a vegan meal can be.

People often think that a vegan diet is difficult and that nothing tastes good. Show your friend just how mistaken they are. Have an animal free Friday night Shabbat dinner. Use your table to show just how easy it is to be vegan and how good the food can be. The table is a great place to have a serious dialogue about what type of food we consume and what type of food we should be consuming.

Petitions for Change

The Shamayim V'Aretz Institute, a community of Jewish vegans, is working to create a paradigm shift in how the Jewish community views veganism.
Shamayim V'Aretz programing includes animal welfare, environmental, and health veganism.
The Institute works specifically to promote veganism within the Jewish community.

If you have any question please contact us at [email protected]