Aaron Gross facts for kids

Aaron S. Gross is an American expert on religions. He studies how modern Jewish ethics (moral rules), animals, and food connect with religion. He teaches at the University of San Diego.

Gross has also led important groups. He was a co-chair for the Animals and Religion group of the American Academy of Religion. He also served as president of the Society of Jewish Ethics. Aaron Gross is a vegan, meaning he does not eat animal products.

Aaron Gross's Education Journey

Aaron Gross studied at several well-known schools. He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (BA), in Philosophy from Grinnell College. He then received his Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S) from Harvard Divinity School. Later, he completed his Ph.D. from the Department of Religious Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Farm Forward: Helping Animals

In 2006, Aaron Gross started an organization called Farm Forward. This group is a nonprofit, which means it works for a good cause, not for money. Farm Forward helps create better ways to raise chickens and other poultry. They want to improve how animals are treated on farms.

The famous author Jonathan Safran Foer called Gross a "visionary." He said that starting Farm Forward would be seen as a big step in ending factory farming. Factory farming is when many animals are raised in small spaces.

Gross has worked hard to make kosher slaughter more humane. Kosher slaughter follows Jewish religious laws for preparing meat. Temple Grandin, an expert in animal welfare, said Gross has been very important. She noted his deep understanding of both Jewish traditions and animal needs.

Books and Writings

Aaron Gross worked closely with Jonathan Safran Foer on his popular book, Eating Animals. Gross is even featured in the book. Elizabeth Kolbert, writing for The New Yorker magazine, called Gross one of the heroes of Eating Animals.

Gross has also written his own books. He is the author of The Question of the Animal and Religion: Theoretical Stakes, Practical Implications. This book was published in 2014. He also helped edit another book called Animals and the Human Imagination: A Companion to Animal Studies (2012).