Inspiring Climate Action through Faith: Rabbi Neril’s Vision on Screens

In a world grappling with environmental challenges, spiritual teachings often hold transformative wisdom for modern crises. Rabbi Yonatan Neril, founder and director of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD), exemplifies this principle through his creative leadership. His new public service videos, crafted with the storytelling prowess of Nas Daily Studios, merge faith and ecology in a way that inspires meaningful climate action.

Rabbi Neril, a Stanford-educated environmentalist with rabbinical ordination from Israel, has coauthored numerous books, including the bestselling Eco Bible. This work illuminates how the Hebrew Bible and religious thinkers have long advocated for human stewardship of the earth. Now, through his latest media initiative, he is bringing that message to life, partnering with the Episcopal Diocese of California to produce a series of 36 compelling short videos on religion and ecology.

Two of the videos in the series were written by Rabbi Neril, who also stars in them. Each one offers profound, relatable insights on how ancient wisdom can guide sustainable practices today.

Rabbi Yonatan Neril is featured in one of 36 short videos connecting spiritual and religious traditions to protecting the environment and our shared climate. Photo courtesy of JLM.

In this video, Rabbi Neril shares the timeless Jewish tradition of observing the Sabbath. For 24 hours each week, many Jews abstain from using electronic devices, a practice rooted in the Bible’s teaching that God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh.

This spiritual “digital detox” allows people to reconnect with themselves, their communities, and their environment. As Rabbi Neril explains, it’s not just a religious act—it’s a sustainable one. Reducing electronic use for even an hour a week can lower energy consumption and inspire reflection on the balance between humanity and technology.

The video ends with a universal call to action: “You don’t have to be Jewish to try it!” Rabbi Neril emphasizes that every faith tradition has wisdom to share about restoring balance, urging viewers to experiment with unplugging and reconnecting with the world around them.

“The Hidden Cost of Disposables”

This video, which can be seen on YouTube and other social media, delves into the unseen consequences of our throwaway culture. Rabbi Neril challenges viewers to consider what the overuse of disposable items does to our humanity. Citing the teaching of Rabbi Nachman, who believed every object contains “sparks of holiness,” Neril argues that treating objects as expendable erodes our ability to value the sacred in daily life.

In a poignant moment, Rabbi Neril holds up cups handed down from his grandparents, sharing how reusing them brings him joy and a sense of continuity. “These disposable plates seem cheap,” he reflects, “but we pay a price within ourselves when we use them.” By reusing items, we elevate the mundane, turning everyday consumption into an act of gratitude and mindfulness.

A New Paradigm for Climate Action

Rabbi Neril’s videos are more than public service announcements—they’re invitations to view environmental stewardship as a spiritual practice. His work bridges ancient wisdom with modern action, showing how small, intentional changes can lead to broader cultural shifts.

These videos, shared across six social media platforms, bring much-needed spiritual intelligence to the climate crisis. By merging faith, sustainability, and relatable storytelling, Rabbi Neril and ICSD offer a hopeful path forward, reminding us that even small acts can ripple outward to impact the world. And to make it all better, they are just two of many more ads that come from a variety of religions to inspire climate action.

With these ads, Rabbi Neril and other faith leaders not only highlight the power of faith-based traditions but also invite people of all backgrounds to explore how their own spiritual values can inspire environmental action. To see other ads go to https://www.youtube.com/@EcoInterfaith/shorts.

Note: Photo of Rabbi Neril added, and the word video was substituted for “ad”.