The First Jewish Environmentalist

Hailed by philosopher Martin Buber as "the true teacher", pioneer, philosopher and dreamer, Aharon David Gordon (1856--1922) is increasingly being recognized as the first Jewish environmentalist. Long before global warming became a major threat, Gordon warned against the mounting dangers of human assault on nature and urged us to open ourselves to nature and re-attune with it. Rather than trying to conquer nature, Gordon argued, we should merge with it; rather than being a master or slave of nature, we should become nature's friend and ally. Since childhood, nature fertilized and shaped Gordon's mindscape, as it eventually did his philosophical writings. Gordon's fresh insights on critical contemporary issues--such as ecology, gender, social justice, and post-secularism--have inspired not only a rapidly growing body of scholarly literature, but also communal readings and study among young readers whose imagination has been captured by Gordon's thoughts and dreams.

The First Jewish Environmentalist introduces Gordon's ideas and sets them in their historical context, shedding new light on the interconnections between religion, culture, education, and the environment. Expanding his canonical status beyond the realm of Hebrew culture, the book situates Gordon in the tradition of nature-intoxicated prophets such as Rousseau, Thoreau, and Tolstoy, and extracts from his writings empowerment and inspiration for seekers advocating the protection of our planet.