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 from the College of Staten Island. He is well-known for being a Jewish vegetarian activist. He works to protect animal rights in the United States and Israel. He also helped start and leads the Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians (SERV).
Contents
Early Life and Education
Richard H. Schwartz was born in Arverne, New York, in 1934. When he was young, he ate meat and potatoes, like many people. He later became a mathematics professor. In 1975, he started teaching a class called "Mathematics and the Environment" at the College of Staten Island.
Schwartz married Loretta Susskind in 1960. He decided to become a vegetarian in 1977. Later, in 2000, he became a vegan. This means he stopped eating all animal products, including dairy and eggs.
Becoming an Activist
As a Modern Orthodox Jew, Schwartz began to study what his religion, Judaism, teaches about food, nature, and how animals should be treated. This led him to write his most famous book, Judaism and Vegetarianism.
Judaism and Vegetarianism
His book was first published in 1982. It was updated and expanded in 1988 and 2001. The book looks at vegetarianism through the teachings of the Bible, the Talmud, and rabbis. It suggests that being vegetarian is the best way for Jewish people to eat today. It also says that it fits with the rules of kosher eating.
Schwartz believes that eating meat and raising animals for food goes against important Jewish ideas. These ideas include keeping people healthy, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, saving natural resources, helping hungry people, and working for peace.
Awards and Recognition
Richard Schwartz has been very active in groups that support vegetarianism and animal rights. In July 2005, he was honored by the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS). He was added to their Vegetarian Hall of Fame. This ceremony took place at the University of Pittsburgh. Schwartz also gave talks there about "Judaism and Vegetarianism."
In 2010, Schwartz was a representative for the Green Zionist Alliance at the World Zionist Congress.
Leading Vegetarian Groups
Schwartz helped create the Jewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA). He became the president of this group in 2002. He is now the president emeritus, which means he is a former president who still holds an honorary title.
He also works with people from other religions who are vegetarians. His writings helped inspire the Christian Vegetarian Association. This group started a campaign called "What Would Jesus Eat...Today?" This campaign has grown and now influences the Christian vegetarian movement. Schwartz is also the president of the "Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians" (SERV), which he helped start. This group includes people from different faiths.
A Sacred Duty Film
Richard Schwartz's writings also inspired a documentary film from 2007 called A Sacred Duty: Applying Jewish Values to Heal the World. The film was directed by Lionel Friedberg. Schwartz and the JVNA helped give away about 40,000 free DVDs of the film. The film was also made available to watch online.
Personal Life
Richard Schwartz is a Modern Orthodox Jew. He is a member of the Young Israel Congregation in Staten Island, New York.
See also
In Spanish: Richard H. Schwartz para niños
- Jews for Animal Rights
- Jewish vegetarianism
