Whereas the climate crisis has reached a state of "moral urgency" and represents an "existential threat" to the Yishuv Ha’olam (the settlement of the world) and the flourishing of human life; and
Whereas the 2019 CJLS Teshuvah "On the Mitzvah of Sustainability" establishes that the biblical mandate of Bal Tashchit (do not destroy) is a positive commandment to manage our resources in a way that ensures the "sustainability of the world's ecosystems" for future generations; and
Whereas that same Teshuvah concludes that the "continued use of fossil fuels" constitutes a violation of our collective responsibility to protect the atmosphere, which is a Reshut HaRabbim (public domain) belonging to all humanity and to God; and
Whereas the Rabbinical Assembly, in its 2023 Climate Action Plan, has formally recognized that "it is easier than ever to eliminate fossil fuels from an investment portfolio without sacrificing financial return," and has committed itself to a process of "fossil-free finance"; and
Whereas the current business models of fossil fuel companies prioritize the extraction of carbon reserves that must remain in the ground to avoid climate catastrophe, which the RA recognizes as an act of damage toward future generations; and
Whereas the principle of Lifnim Mishurat Hadin (acting beyond the strict letter of the law) compels the Rabbinical Assembly to lead by example, recognizing that where communal capital is placed is a profound expression of the movement's moral priorities; and
Whereas the Rabbinical Assembly has continuously and consistently advocated for environmental stewardship in resolutions passed in 1991, 2007, 2011, and 2019;
Therefore be it resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly forthrightly commits to aligning its own investment portfolios with sustainability by initiating a phased divestment from companies whose primary business is the extraction and production of fossil fuels.
Therefore, be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly calls for the adoption of "Climate-Smart Investing" within its own fiscal structures, prioritizing funds that support renewable energy and a just transition to a low-carbon economy.
Therefore, be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly urges its members to serve as moral voices for ethical investment, providing the rabbinic leadership necessary to move the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy to the forefront of our communal agenda.
Therefore, be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly commits to providing educational resources and liturgical materials to help our communities understand the theological imperative of environmental stewardship and the power of ethical investment so they too can consider climate smart investing.