Richard H. Schwartz
Encyclopedia
Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D
, (April 10, 1934— ) is Professor Emeritus, Mathematics, College of Staten Island
; President of the Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA); and co-founder and coordinator of the Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians (SERV). He is best known as a vegetarian activist and advocate for animal rights
in the United States and Israel. His writings inspired the 2007 documentary film, A Sacred Duty: Applying Jewish Values to Heal the World, directed by Lionel Friedberg
.
Schwartz was born in Arverne, New York
. As a youth, he was not a vegetarian. He describes his upbringing as being a "meat and potatoes person" whose favorite dish was pot roast. In 1975 he began teaching a course called "Mathematics and the Environment" at the College of Staten Island. The course used basic mathematical concepts and problems to explore current critical issues, such as pollution, resource scarcities, hunger, energy, and the arms race. He writes:
As an Orthodox Jew, Schwartz began to explore what Judaism had to say about diet, ecology
, and the proper treatment of animals. The result was his best-known book, Judaism and Vegetarianism, the first work published in English on this topic. It explores vegetarianism from the standpoint of biblical, Talmud
ic, and rabbi
nical references, and concludes that vegetarianism is the highest form of kosher
and the best diet for Jews in the modern world. The second edition, revised and much expanded, was a B'nai Brith Book Club Selection that same year.
Since then, Schwartz has been active in a variety of vegetarian and animal rights organizations. His unique contribution has been to increase public awareness about Jewish teachings concerning vegetarianism and the ethical treatment of animals. On July 3, 2005, Schwartz was inducted into the Vegetarian Hall of Fame by the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS). The ceremony was held at the 31st Annual NAVS Summerfest on the University of Pittsburgh
campus. Dr. Schwartz also spoke at the Summerfest on "Judaism and Vegetarianism" and "Ten Approaches to Obtain a Vegetarian-Consciousness by 2010."
Schwartz also reaches out to vegetarians from other religions, and his writings helped inspire the formation of the Christian Vegetarian Association
, and their original campaign and literature, namely "What Would Jesus Eat...Today?" This campaign has more recently evolved into the broader "Honoring God's Creation" campaign and has strongly influenced the Christian vegetarian movement.
Congregation of Staten Island, New York.
Dr. Schwartz also has over 140 articles online, as well as interviews, at JVNA's website. He frequently speaks and contributes articles and letters to the editor to print periodicals on environmental, health, and other current issues.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
, (April 10, 1934— ) is Professor Emeritus, Mathematics, College of Staten Island
College of Staten Island
The College of Staten Island is a four-year, senior college of and is one of the 11 senior colleges in the City University of New York. Programs in the liberal arts and sciences and professional studies lead to bachelor's and associate's degrees. The master's degree is awarded in 13 professional...
; President of the Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA); and co-founder and coordinator of the Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians (SERV). He is best known as a vegetarian activist and advocate for animal rights
Animal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
in the United States and Israel. His writings inspired the 2007 documentary film, A Sacred Duty: Applying Jewish Values to Heal the World, directed by Lionel Friedberg
Lionel Friedberg
Lionel Friedberg is a documentary film director who has written or produced films for Animal Planet, CBS, PBS, the History Channel, the Discovery Channel and National Geographic. He has 18 credits as Director of Photography, and has worked all over the world on both dramatic and nonfiction...
.
Schwartz was born in Arverne, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. As a youth, he was not a vegetarian. He describes his upbringing as being a "meat and potatoes person" whose favorite dish was pot roast. In 1975 he began teaching a course called "Mathematics and the Environment" at the College of Staten Island. The course used basic mathematical concepts and problems to explore current critical issues, such as pollution, resource scarcities, hunger, energy, and the arms race. He writes:
- While reviewing material related to world hunger, I became aware of the tremendous waste of grain associated with the production of beef... In spite of my own eating habits, I often led class discussions on the possibility of reducing meat consumption as a way of helping hungry people. After several semesters of this, I took my own advice and gave up eating red meat, while continuing to eat chicken and fish... I then began to read about the many health benefits of vegetarianism and about the horrible conditions for animals raised on factory farms. I was increasingly attracted to vegetarianism, and on January 1, 1978, I decided to join the International Jewish Vegetarian Society... I decided to become a full practicing vegetarian, and since then have avoided eating any meat, fowl, or fish.
As an Orthodox Jew, Schwartz began to explore what Judaism had to say about diet, ecology
Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
, and the proper treatment of animals. The result was his best-known book, Judaism and Vegetarianism, the first work published in English on this topic. It explores vegetarianism from the standpoint of biblical, Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
ic, and rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
nical references, and concludes that vegetarianism is the highest form of kosher
Kashrut
Kashrut is the set of Jewish dietary laws. Food in accord with halakha is termed kosher in English, from the Ashkenazi pronunciation of the Hebrew term kashér , meaning "fit" Kashrut (also kashruth or kashrus) is the set of Jewish dietary laws. Food in accord with halakha (Jewish law) is termed...
and the best diet for Jews in the modern world. The second edition, revised and much expanded, was a B'nai Brith Book Club Selection that same year.
Since then, Schwartz has been active in a variety of vegetarian and animal rights organizations. His unique contribution has been to increase public awareness about Jewish teachings concerning vegetarianism and the ethical treatment of animals. On July 3, 2005, Schwartz was inducted into the Vegetarian Hall of Fame by the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS). The ceremony was held at the 31st Annual NAVS Summerfest on the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
campus. Dr. Schwartz also spoke at the Summerfest on "Judaism and Vegetarianism" and "Ten Approaches to Obtain a Vegetarian-Consciousness by 2010."
Schwartz also reaches out to vegetarians from other religions, and his writings helped inspire the formation of the Christian Vegetarian Association
Christian Vegetarian Association
The Christian Vegetarian Association is an international, non-denominational Christian ministry that promotes responsible stewardship of God's creation through plant-based eating...
, and their original campaign and literature, namely "What Would Jesus Eat...Today?" This campaign has more recently evolved into the broader "Honoring God's Creation" campaign and has strongly influenced the Christian vegetarian movement.
Personal life
Schwartz married Loretta Susskind in 1960. He is a Modern Orthodox Jew and belongs to the Young IsraelYoung Israel
The National Council of Young Israel or Young Israel , is a synagogue-based Orthodox Judaism organization in the United States with a network of affiliated "Young Israel" synagogues...
Congregation of Staten Island, New York.
Publications
- Mathematics and Global Survival: Scarcity, hunger, population growth, pollution, waste 3rd edition by Ginn Press, 1993
- Judaism and Vegetarianism, 3rd edition by Lantern Books, New York, New York, 2001 (ISBN 1930051247)
- Judaism and Global Survival, first published in 1984, 2nd edition by Lantern Books, New York, New York, 2002 (ISBN 1930051875)
Dr. Schwartz also has over 140 articles online, as well as interviews, at JVNA's website. He frequently speaks and contributes articles and letters to the editor to print periodicals on environmental, health, and other current issues.
External links
- An Introductory Interview with Dr. Schwartz, discussing his biography as it relates to Orthodox JudaismOrthodox JudaismOrthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
, his shift to vegetarianismVegetarianismVegetarianism encompasses the practice of following plant-based diets , with or without the inclusion of dairy products or eggs, and with the exclusion of meat...
, his deep concern with social justiceSocial justiceSocial justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
, etc. - Why I am a Vegetarian By Dr. Richard H. Schwartz. Biographical essay about how he evolved from a "meat and potatoes person" to a vegetarian.
- The Schwartz Collection, a direct link to a complete index of all Richard H. Schwartz's articles and interviews online.
- A Sacred Duty: Applying Jewish Values to Heal the World, homepage for the film. You can also view the entire film on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
. Includes interview footage with Dr. Schwartz. - Jewish Vegetarians of North America