A Sacred Duty

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A Sacred Duty: Applying Jewish Values to Help Heal the World
Cover image for the DVD
Directed byLionel Friedberg
Written byLionel Friedberg
Produced byLionel Friedberg
CinematographyLionel Friedberg
Edited byDiana Friedberg
Music byAndrew Keresztes
Production
companies
Zepra International, Inc.
Distributed byJewish Veg
Release date
  • October 2007 (2007-10)
Running time
60 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

A Sacred Duty: Applying Jewish Values to Help Heal the World is a 2007 American documentary film written, directed, and produced by Lionel Friedberg. It was distributed by Jewish Veg, then known as the Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA). The film centers on Jewish teachings about caring for the planet, treatment of animals, and the environment, with a focus on Jewish vegetarianism.[1] Interviews with rabbis, activists, and scholars are interspersed with footage and stills illustrating the points being discussed.[2]

Synopsis

The film opens with footage of a

atom bomb). This is followed by a statement that humanity has not been caring for the planet properly according to Jewish teachings, which precedes a section about ancient Jewish texts and sacred words that provide "specific instructions on how to be custodians of the world in which we live". Throughout the film, quotes from the Torah are contrasted with the various environmental threats facing humanity today; the quotes are also illustrated with close-ups of Hebrew scrolls
, Jews praying, and scenes of nature.

The Earth is again seen from space and the camera moves in to focus on

livestock agriculture produces more greenhouse gases
than all of the world's vehicles combined.

Next comes a brief presentation, illustrated with simple animated charts, on how meat production is an inefficient way to produce food for a hungry world. This moves into footage of

factory farms, and the pollution produced by these facilities. The film then focuses on the advantages of vegetarianism
for reducing pollution and solving world hunger. With a change of diet toward vegetarianism, the film asserts that many of these environmental and health problems can be solved. After some fast-moving images of people and nature accompanied by music, the film ends with the same statement from Deuteronomy about "life and death" being narrated over a shot of a sunrise.

Cast

Production

The idea for the film was inspired by the writings of Richard H. Schwartz (Judaism and Vegetarianism, Judaism and Global Survival, etc.) who also served as associate producer.[4] Schwartz had seen the Christian Vegetarian Association's 2006 film, Honoring God's Creation, and felt that a similar film would be effective in the Jewish community. At the time, he envisioned the film to be about 30 minutes long, though the final film ended up being 60 minutes long.[5]

Production began in 2005 with a basic proposal and outline in the JVNA's newsletter, along with a statement that Lionel Friedberg was willing to make the film for "a very low fee, basically to cover his costs".[6] The film was funded by the JVNA through private contributions.[7] Preliminary drafts of the script were circulated among members of the JVNA advisory committee and others for input, after which the script went through numerous revisions. Meanwhile, Schwartz and Friedberg set about interviewing possible participants and filming footage of nature in both Israel and the United States. Some stock footage was also acquired.

The showing of slaughterhouse footage was controversial, with some members of a test audience in

kosher meat industry, Friedberg stated, "To celebrate Judaism by depicting the assembly-line process by which animals are miraculously and happily turned into food for the Shabbat table without depicting the brutal cruelty and suffering that goes along with that process makes a mockery of the real meaning of our faith."[8]
The film opens with a warning that it contains material that might be disturbing to some viewers.

Distribution

In October and November 2007, A Sacred Duty was released direct-to-video and on DVD, with public showings in both Israel and the United States. Over 35,000 copies were distributed free of charge to synagogues, educational institutions, and individuals, complete with permission to show the film without having to pay the filmmakers any royalties.[9] In addition, permission was granted to the public to duplicate and distribute the film free of charge.[10] Numerous short excerpts from the film were edited and re-posted by various YouTube users, and the full version became available on YouTube in January 2008.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ Jacobs, Megan, "Jews ban beef to save the world? New film insists meat-free diet is a religious imperative for every Jew," Jerusalem Post,
  2. ^ Zilber, Ariel, "Film aims to show how Jewish values can help heal the World," Haaretz, November 17, 2007
  3. ^ a b c d "Volunteers for Israel's Environment — Green Zionist Alliance: The Grassroots Campaign for a Sustainable Israel". Greenzionism.org. 2012-08-06. Retrieved 2012-08-26.
  4. ^ From the DVD cover
  5. ^ Schwartz, Richard, "Creating a 'Judaism and Vegetarianism' videotape," JVNA Online Newsletter, July 14, 2005
  6. ^ JVNA Online Newsletter, Schwartz, Richard, "We Are Planning to Move Forward With the JVNA Video/Suggestions Welcome", July 28, 2005
  7. ^ A list of donors is in the film credits.
  8. ^ a b Response from Lionel Friedberg, producer of "A Sacred Duty," JVNA Online Newsletter, August 8, 2011
  9. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-02-07. Retrieved 2012-02-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ^ From the DVD cover: ""This DVD may be shown, reproduced, and distributed freely."
  11. YouTube

External links

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