Richard H. Schwartz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard H. Schwartz
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Schwartz in 2011
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| Born | 1934 (age 90–91) |
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| Years active | 1975–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Loretta Susskind
(m. 1960) |
| Parent(s) | his father, John; his mother, Mildred |
Richard H. Schwartz is a retired mathematics professor. He taught at the College of Staten Island. He is well-known as an activist who supports Jewish vegetarianism and animal rights. He has also led groups like the Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA).
Contents
About Richard H. Schwartz
Richard H. Schwartz was born in Arverne, New York in 1934. When he was young, he ate meat and potatoes, like many people. He started teaching a course called "Mathematics and the Environment" in 1975.
He became a vegetarian in 1977. Later, in 2000, he became a vegan. A vegan diet means not eating any animal products, including dairy or eggs. He married Loretta Susskind in 1960.
His Work as an Activist
As a religious Jew, Schwartz began to study what Jewish teachings say about food, nature, and how we treat animals. This led him to write his most famous book, Judaism and Vegetarianism.
Judaism and Vegetarianism
His book was first published in 1982. It explains how vegetarianism connects to Jewish holy texts like the Bible and the Talmud. Schwartz believes that being vegetarian is the best way for Jewish people to eat today. He thinks it fits with Jewish rules about being healthy and kind to animals.
Schwartz argues that eating meat goes against important Jewish ideas. These ideas include keeping people healthy and treating animals with kindness. They also include protecting the environment and helping people who are hungry.
Awards and Other Groups
Richard Schwartz has been very active in groups that support vegetarianism and animal rights. In 2005, he was honored by the North American Vegetarian Society. He was added to their Vegetarian Hall of Fame.
He also helped start the Jewish Vegetarians of North America. He became the president of this group in 2002. He is now the president emeritus.
Schwartz also works with people from other religions. His ideas helped start the Christian Vegetarian Association. He is also the president of the "Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians" (SERV). He helped create this group.
A Sacred Duty Film
Richard Schwartz's writings also inspired a movie. The film is called A Sacred Duty: Applying Jewish Values to Heal the World. It came out in 2007. Schwartz and the JVNA helped give away many copies of the movie.
Personal Life
Richard Schwartz is a Modern Orthodox Jew. He belongs to the Young Israel Congregation in Staten Island, New York.
See also
- Jews for Animal Rights
- Jewish vegetarianism
