Richard H. Schwartz | |
|---|---|
 Schwartz in 2011 | |
| Born | 1934 (age 91–92) |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1975–present |
| Spouse | |
| Parent(s) | his father, John; his mother, Mildred |
Richard H. Schwartz is a professor emeritus of mathematics at theCollege of Staten Island;[1] president emeritus of theJewish Vegetarians of North America (JVNA);[2][3][4] and co-founder and coordinator of the Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians (SERV). He is best known as aJewish vegetarian activist and advocate foranimal rights in the United States and Israel.[5]
Schwartz was born inArverne,New York in 1934. His father, Joseph (Zundel), was 31 at the time, and his mother, Rose, was 29.[citation needed] They were not vegetarians, nor was he a vegetarian as a youth. He describes his upbringing as being a "meat and potatoes person" whose favorite dish waspot roast. In 1975, he began teaching a course called "Mathematics and the Environment" at the College of Staten Island.Schwartz married Loretta Susskind on February 14, 1960, at the Utopia Jewish Center in Queens.[6] He reports that he became vegetarian in 1977 and vegan in 2000.
As an Orthodox Jew, Schwartz began to explore what Judaism had to say about diet,ecology, and the proper treatment of animals. The result was his best-known book,Judaism and Vegetarianism. It was first published in 1982, with later, expanded editions published in 1988 and 2001. It explores vegetarianism from the standpoint ofbiblical,Talmudic, andrabbinical references, and concludes that vegetarianism is the highest form ofkosher and the best diet for Jews in the modern world. The second edition was aB'nai Brith Book Club Selection that same year.
Schwartz argues that the realities of animal-based diets and agriculture conflict with basic Jewish mandates to preserve human health, treat animals with compassion, protect the environment, conserve natural resources, help hungry people, and pursue peace.[7] He has been active in a variety of vegetarian and animal rights organizations, and in July 2005 was inducted into the Vegetarian Hall of Fame by the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS).[8][9] The ceremony was held at the 31st Annual NAVS Summerfest on theUniversity of Pittsburgh campus. Schwartz also spoke at the Summerfest on "Judaism and Vegetarianism" and "Ten Approaches to Obtain a Vegetarian-Conscious World by 2010."
In 2010, Schwartz served as aGreen Zionist Alliance delegate to the World Zionist Congress.[10]
Schwartz was involved in the formation of theJewish Vegetarians of North America. He became president of the organization in 2002 and continues to serve as president emeritus.[2]
Schwartz also reaches out to vegetarians from other religions, and his writings helped inspire the formation of theChristian Vegetarian Association, and their original campaign and literature, namely "What Would Jesus Eat...Today?" This campaign has more recently evolved into the broader "Honoring God's Creation" campaign and has strongly influenced theChristian vegetarian movement. He also is president of the interfaith group, "Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians" (SERV), which he cofounded.
Schwartz's writings inspired the 2007 documentary film,A Sacred Duty: Applying Jewish Values to Heal the World, directed byLionel Friedberg.[11] Schwartz and JVNA arranged to give away about 40,000 complimentary DVDs of the video and to have available online at aSacredDuty.com.
Schwartz married Loretta Susskind early in 1960. He is aModern Orthodox Jew and belongs to theYoung Israel Congregation ofStaten Island, New York.[12]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
