Eco-Friendly Investing Through a Jewish Lens

As individuals and as members of Jewish institutions, we have the opportunity to ensure that our investments reflect our Jewish values. Our investments can be a significant force for tikkun olam and for delivering solutions to major social and environmental challenges we face. 

Learn from experts in climate finance and ethical investing about market trends in the growing eco economy and new low-carbon innovation opportunities that are poised for exponential growth. We’ll discuss the outcomes of the UN climate conference, COP26, and the financial mechanisms that will be put in place to speed up investment in climate solutions. 

If you are interested in supporting climate solutions, protecting your investments against climate risk or leaving an investment legacy for your family, this event will help you understand the trends and navigate the rapidly changing world of eco and climate investing. Whether it’s your personal investments or retirement fund, your institution’s investments or the bank you choose, learn how to make sustainable financial choices that can ensure a positive future for your money and the planet.

Presenters:

Rabbi Dr. Benjamin Elton

Rabbi Elton has been Chief Minister of The Great Synagogue since 2015. Born in Manchester, England, Rabbi Elton earned an MA in History at Queens’ College, Cambridge and a PhD in Jewish History at Birkbeck, University of London. For seven years he worked in the Ministry of Justice in London and then studied for four years at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (YCT) in New York, where he received Semicha from YCT in June 2015. In addition to his 2014 book, Britain’s Chief Rabbis and the Religious Character of Anglo-Jewry, 1880–1970, he has authored several articles on Anglo-Jewish and Australian Jewish religious history and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society of London. He is also an Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney, Jewish Chaplain to the Returned Services League (NSW Branch) and Orthodox Rabbinic Consultant to the both the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.

Blair Palese

Blair Palese is Managing Editor and Global Climate Editor at international outlet Climate & Capital Media. She founded 350.org in Australia and was CEO for ten years. Blair has worked for and consulted to organisations including the C40 Cities for Climate Action, The Australian Museum, The Green Building Council of Australia, the NSW Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) and the Climate Institute. Previously she was head of PR for The Body Shop globally and head of communications for Greenpeace International, both in the UK. She has held a number of not-for-profit board positions and was a founding committee member of Human Rights Watch in Australia.  

Trevor Thomas

Trevor is the Managing Director of Ethinvest, having joined in 1997 after spending six years in South America working in economic development. Previously, he was an economist with one of Australia’s major banks and AP Dow Jones Telerate. He has been a Certified Financial Planner since 2003. Trevor is a trustee of a number of philanthropic organisations, including the John T Reid Charitable Trusts and the Community Impact Foundation, and assists a number of charitable trusts and not-for-profit organisations with their investment strategies. He has a long-standing interest in development and advocacy.

Justin Medcaf

Justin is an Associate Advisor at Ethinvest. After founding an ethical investment advisory firm in 2008, he joined forces with Trevor Thomas and others to establish the Ethical Advisers’ Co-op, before launching Australia’s first responsible investment-dedicated investment platform, The Emerald Wrap. Having been on the board of the peak responsible investment (RI) industry body for almost the last decade, Justin helped shape the mainstreaming of RI through the globally recognised Certification program. Justin is the former Head of Innovation (Wealth) at Bendigo Bank and played a critical role in the reshape of Australia’s largest financial planning network, AMP Financial Planning.