Panel One: Presentation by Rabbi Dr Michael Hilton on the creation and the environment in Judaism (Part 1 of 3).
Rabbi Michael began by explaining that the exchange of ideas on foundational issues amongst the three faith traditions is not a novel occurrence. Whilst in the past forums like the IRS which bring together intellectuals of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism for scholarly discussions did not necessarily exist, reading and replying to the scholarly works of other faiths was not uncommon. Thus, IRS continues a tradition of debating and learning from one another. His presentation comprised of two parts; firstly, analysing texts such as the Genesis which talk about creation, and secondly, discussing texts through which duty towards creation can be understood. Whilst there is a multitude of Jewish texts that address environmental concerns, Rabbi Michael picked out four key themes: stewardship, preservation of species and prohibition of waste, pollution, and the green belt.   

Currently, Michael is Rabbi Emeritus of Kol Chai, Scholar in Residence of the Liberal Jewish Synagogue London, a governor and Senior Lecturer at Leo Baeck College, and an Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Jewish Studies, University of Manchester. Rabbi Michael has been involved in leading interfaith weeks since 1986, mainly at the Ammerdown Centre near Bath, and is the Jewish team leader for Oxford Three Faiths Week.   

He is the author of The Gospels and Rabbinic Judaism (1988), The Christian Effect on Jewish Life (1994) and Bar Mitzvah: A History (2014), detailing the origins and development of bar mitzvah (for boys) and bat mitzvah (for girls). His current research is about the influences of