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Vanessa Massel | Sarah Lawrence College | "I don’t believe we have the right to condemn other beings to a life of suffering and eventual death. This is what happens when we eat animal products. Thus, I view veganism as an imperative, not a choice. I’m just beginning to learn about the connections between Judaism and veganism and I’m thrilled that these two important parts of me are connected."

Abe Libman | NYU | "'The unexamined life is not worth living.' To me, being vegetarian means living an examined life, in which we are cognizant of the consequences of our consumption decisions, and change our behaviors based on our findings and moral dispositions. We Jews should set a positive example by serving as responsible custodians of our world."

Firozah Najmi | NYU | "I believe it is every Jew's duty to set an example for living as ethically as possible. By advocating for less fortunate beings who cannot fight for themselves, veganism allows me to combine Jewish ideals of social justice with my own compassion for animals. In marrying my two passions for Judaism and veganism, I aim to prove how effortlessly these ideologies complement each other." PC: Em Watson

Toby Dresdner | Cornell | "I'm frequently told by other people who worry about my religious observance that my vegan diet is at odds with Jewish tradition and practice; they argue that strict adherence to a lifestyle and set of values that is not in the Torah is equivalent to idolatry. On the contrary, I believe that it is my Jewish beliefs that have led me to a heightened empathy to the treatment of animals and tzaar baalei Chaim. The act of saying a blessing before eating anything closes the gap between what is on my plate and the source that it comes from, and it urges me to take responsibility for that journey."

Sarah Hoffman | UNC Chapel Hill | "Over the years I have found that the most effective activism is not an aggressive approach, but an integrative approach of leading by example. By living an all around compassionate lifestyle, we change ourselves and the people around us on multiple levels. Given the cruelty of the animal agriculture enterprise, it is tempting to respond from a place of disgust and outrage, but I find that actions are most effective when committed from a place of love."

Eliran Sobel | Goucher College | "I see k'dusha [holiness] flowing through life, and by being vegan and not causing suffering to animals, I am constantly recognizing and respecting that. Whenever animal products are permitted in the Torah, they are not presented as God's ideal and are limited by restrictions. When the Torah does describe God's ideal world, such as the Garden of Eden, it's a vegan world. We should bring ourselves closer to that ideal world now that animal products are no longer a requirement for survival."

Micaela Shulman | USC | "For any Jew practicing tikkun olam, I believe veganism can provide a perfect avenue for both healing the environment and remedying social issues. After introducing the lifestyle to many of my family members and friends, I’ve witnessed firsthand the unique improvement in health and renewed sense of justice and responsibility that occurs in those who decide to make the change.”

Susan Janowsky | Tufts University | I’m very interested in incorporating Jewish values into human-animal interaction. The food industry perpetuates the inhumane treatment of living creatures. I am proud to be advocating for those who cannot speak out and educating those who can.

Emily Steinberg | Allegheny College | “I believe that no animal should have to suffer or be tortured for meat. Since living a vegan lifestyle I have become more aware of what I eat and where it comes from. I am also very excited about learning more of how Veganism and Judaism are connected through helping out our fellow animal friends and the environment.

Mira Tesla l Simon’s Rock College l "Humans exist on Earth in a position of power. We have the ability to harm those who are vulnerable, whether they are human or nonhuman, but the Torah urges us to not. Humans, created b’tzelem elohim, have the unique ability to make moral judgements and for this reason have the obligation to act ethically. As Jews, we must live by example even when surrounded by those who do not. Given the animal and human abuses, and environmental degradation animal agriculture causes, I find veganism to be particularly relevant and necessary for living by the values of the Torah. Academically, I study psychology and am particularly interested in the psychological factors that allow people to negotiate the “meat paradox,” the ability to love animals while engaging in a diet that necessitates their suffering and death, or conversely to go vegan. I hope to use this information to inform ways to engage in more effective advocacy."