Articles

Alicia Silverstone’s Vegan Awakening

“I did this because I love animals. Choosing this way of eating, you save so many animals”.

Veganism and Sukkot: A Time for Ethical Harvesting

The festival of Sukkot aligns beautifully our ancient Jewish traditions and contemporary ethical values.

Yom Kippur: a Vegan Perspective

A vegan perspective of Yom Kippur, and the similarities between the two.

How Cultivated Meat Can Benefit Our Planet And Animals

The world’s first cultivated meat farm in the Netherlands.

Veganism on the Rise in the UK

Research this year has shown a significant rise in the number of vegans and meat-free diet groups in the UK.

A Low-Fat Vegan Diet Yields Better Outcomes Than a Mediterranean Diet For Weight Loss

A recent study published in Frontiers in Nutrition has found that a low-fat vegan diet is more effective for weight loss than a Mediterranean diet, particularly among overweight adults.

Recap: JVS Rosh Hashana Seder

A Sweet and Compassioante New Year: Celebrating Rosh Hashanah with the JVS kehillahOn Monday, erev Rosh Hashanah, the JVS community came together to celebrate the a New Year with age old tradition...

Rosh Hashanah for Vegans: A Symbolic and Compassionate Seder

Rosh Hashanah is rich with symbolism, and for those following a vegan lifestyle, the simanim seder offers a powerful way to connect with tradition through food. Nearly all of the symbolic foods tradit...

87-year-old vegan runner striving to complete 100 ultra-marathons before his 100th birthday

Paul Youd, an 87-year-old from Somerset, is aiming to complete 100 ultra-marathons before his 100th birthday. He has already finished over 25 races, including the 50km Thames Path Challenge in just ov...

Defra aims to create more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat by 2042 in England

DEFRA’s National Biodiversity Targets Team is aiming to restore or create over 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat across England by 2042. To help meet this ambitious goal, they’re working close...

The importance of plant-based pet food for the planet & for our pets

A study carried out in the US found that dog and cat food products were responsible for 20% of the total livestock animals slaughtered (17.7% for dogs and 2.3% for cats). Representing a fifth of lives...

Garden to Plate event: 8th September '25

On Sunday 8th of September, the JVS Gardening club enjoyed a wonderful Garden to Plate event. Our top gardener Simone and the volunteers had their second biggest harvest of the vegetable crops being g...

How could a plant-based diet could save animals from extinction

How could a plant-based diet could save animals from extinction?Animals are the ones who fall victim to those who do not engage in plant-based diets. Over 70% of the 80 billion land animals farmed...

Fashion, Climate & Justice: An Afternoon with Purpose: 5th October

Fashion is more than clothes; it’s how we express ourselves, connect with others, respond to our environment and make change.This Sustainable Fashion Week, JVS is excited to host an beautiful afte...

Keeping our homes warm sustainably this autumn

The upcoming festivals Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkut and Simchat Torah are approaching & the days are getting shorter and colder. What are some ways we can keep our homes warm while using less elec...

Lidl introduces new plant-based range called Vemondo Plant!

Lidl GB hoped to increase its sales of meat and dairy alternatives by 400% in 2025, but this has been significantly exceeded by almost 700%!The new range includes plant based: fish goujons, chicke...

Natural World’s Strongest Man is Vegan for Three Years in a Row

Tom Butts has won the Natural World’s Strongest Man competition for the 90kg weight category for the third year in a row. He claimed the prize for first place in 4/7 of the competitive events.He b...

VAT on meat and dairy products saves 170,000 lives anually across Europe

Research published earlier this year has shown the importance of encouraging consumers to shift towards plant-based diets.Currently, most diets are imbalanced, which is detrimental to both our...

Recap: Our Summer Social

Jewish people are duty bound to remember the kindness of animals

There are moments throughout the Tanakh where we hear of humans who are saved by the mercy and kindness of animals.This includes the lions who did not hurt Daniel when he fell into their den (Ktuv...

Calculating the Innocent Lives Saved by the UK’s Growing Vegan Community

A new report by The Vegan Society has found that 3% of the population is now vegan, with 10% reducing their intake of animal products. Young people and women are most likely to make this change, with ...

‘Just Egg’ is now available in the UK

‘Just Egg’ is now available in the UK!Tired of a tofu scramble? Made with mung beans, this a vegan egg like no other. Cook it, bake with it, scramble your way. Some recommended recipe ideas includ...

Garden volunteer celebration: from garden to plate cooking

On Monday evening, we celebrated the hard work of our garden volunteers, our beautiful vegetable garden, and the abundance it is now producing. Many of those who joined us have been part of this journ...

The Mitzvah of ‘Feeding Animals First’

According to halakha (Jewish law), it is cruel for us to eat while animals dependent on us for food, thus we must always feed animals before we eat ourselves. In the Midrash, there is a story of Noah, who while on the ark did not feed the Lion in good time, leaving him hungry. As […]

Enhance your pitta, laffa and couscous with Redefine Meat’s Shwarma, now sold in Ocado

Enhance your pitta, laffa and couscous with Redefine Meat’s Shwarma, now sold in Ocado. This shwarma is quick to cook & tastes super authentic, flavoured with coriander, clove, cumin, cinnamon and other plant-based spices. The plant-based meat offers 22g of protein, 4g of fibre, contains no chol

Iceland’s New Commitments to Shrimp and Hen Welfare

Iceland is the fourth biggest retailer of eggs from caged eggs in the UK and is known for its disregard of animal welfare. However, after campaigning by The Humane League and the Shrimp Welfare Project, Iceland supermarkets have finally committed to better welfare conditions to be introduced for chi

Blessed Hands ‘A very engaging, funny, and touching performance with some fantastic food’

Last week, we were thrilled to host Dr Michal Nahman’s Blessed Hands/ / Bendichas Manos: Cooking Up a Show With My Turkish Jewish Granny — an experiment, show, cookery class, and dinner rolled into one. Participants cooked a meal together based on seven years of research into Sephardi and other Jewi

The Mitzvah of Shiluah Haken or ‘Sending of the Nest’

“If you are to take an egg or young from the mother’s nest, you must first send the mother away so that she does not feel the loss of her young and is left to be free. By fulfilling this mitzvah, one will lengthen their days.” – D’varim 22:6-7 (Deuteronomy) The Torah recognises the harm [&hell

Oatly to be the first ‘Climate Solutions’ Food Company

'Oatly' is the first food company to be officially a 'Climate Solutions Company'! Their creamy, plant-based oat milk has gained worthy recognition. As a 'Climate Solutions' company, 90% of their revenue is achieved through climate-friendly endeavours and the compa

The Three Weeks in Judaism: A Vegan Perspective (5785/2025)

Dear Reader, In the Jewish calendar, the period we're in now, is known as The Three Weeks. It a time of mourning and reflection. It begins on the 17th Tammuz and ends with Tisha B'Av (9th Av), a day that commemorates the destruction of both Temples in Jerusalem. Traditionally, it is a ti

Government backs £12 m hub for lab grown meat and fermentation

A new £12 million investment by the government via EPSRC will back the Cellular Agriculture Manufacturing Hub (CARMA), based at the University of Bath. The initiative will advance research into cultivated meat and precision fermentation to scale sustainable proteins without slaughter. Teams includin

Calderdale Council (W.Yorks) to serve only vegan food at official events

Calderdale Council in West Yorkshire is planning to serve exclusively vegan catering at meetings and receptions if a new food policy is approved. The move forms part of its climate leadership strategy as it pursues net zero emissions for the region by 2038. The council aims to favour seasonal and mi

Vegan Cream Liqueur Launches in Bristol

A new female-founded brand in Bristol is making waves with its vegan cream liqueur. Created as a kinder and more sustainable alternative to dairy-based drinks, it’s aimed at those who love cocktails but care about the planet too. The liqueur is made with plant ingredients and ethical packaging, and

Vegan NIBs: Oatly Matcha Latte Now in UK Supermarkets

Oatly has launched a new matcha latte in the UK and it’s already on shelves at Sainsbury’s and Morrisons. Made with oat milk and premium matcha, it comes ready to drink and costs £2.95 per litre (at the time of this post). It’s designed for people who want a quick, dairy-free caffeine boost without

King Charles Visits Vegan Chocolate Shop in Scotland

King Charles visited Fetcha Chocolates, a small vegan chocolatier in Campbeltown, during a recent trip to Scotland. The visit was a big moment for the team, who hand-make their dairy-free chocolates using ethically sourced ingredients. The shop focuses on sustainability and flavour, and their range

Must-Try This Summer: Crispy Tofu Sandwich

Plant Based News just dropped the recipe of the summer. A crispy tofu sandwich that hits all the right notes. Crunchy outside, juicy centre, tangy slaw and a spicy mayo that tastes like summer. It is easy to make, satisfying and completely vegan. Plant-based classic flavours built on whole foods. Pe

Campaigners renew calls for vegan internal catering at Bristol Council

Vegan activists recently encouraged Bristol City Council to adopt a fully plant‑based catering policy for internal meetings and events. They argue it would reduce local greenhouse gas emissions and align with Bristol’s climate strategy. Council members are reviewing suggestions for new catering cont

Vegan NIBs: Plant‑Based Food Alliance urges policy shift to fight climate change

The newly‑formed Plant‑Based Food Alliance UK has called on the government to support the shift away from animal products to hit net zero goals. Backed by Oatly, Alpro and The Vegan Society, the group wants environmental labelling, public health campaigns, and schemes to help farmers transition to p

Forest Green Rovers Reveal Vegan Football Kit

Forest Green Rovers have unveiled what they say is the world’s first football kit certified by The Vegan Society. Made in partnership with sustainable sportswear brand Reflo, the kit is fully recyclable and designed to stand out with a green leopard print. Fans are split on the bold look, yet the cl

Vegan Dogs “Get the Green Light from Vets”

The British Veterinary Association now officially supports vegan diets for dogs, as long as they are nutritionally balanced. This is an enormous shift and follows new research showing that plant based dog food can be just as healthy as meat based diets. Pet owners no longer need to choose between et

Oatly Gets Climate Certified

Oatly has recently been named a Climate Solutions Company. It is the first food brand to receive this label and it shows real progress. The certification is based on science backed methods, rather than greenwashing. Oatly has always talked the talk but this is proof they are delivering. From sourcin

Vegan NIBs: New report shows widespread animal welfare misinformation in food media

The Animal Law Foundation reviewed nearly 50 producers and nine major supermarkets across the UK and found over 84 percent used misleading imagery of animals grazing outdoors in humane conditions. In reality most farmed animals live indoors in intensive systems. The report calls this “humane‑washing

More Veggie Options Cuts Meat Sales Significantly

A new Cambridge study found that simply offering more plant based meals in cafeterias can slash meat sales by up to 80%. The research showed that tripling veggie options made people switch without needing extra persuasion. It is not about banning meat, just making it easier to choose plants. These c

LSE New Department of Sentience

The London School of Economics (LSE) is opening a new department for animal sentience in the Autumn of 2025. Animal sentience is the capacity for emotion and physical pleasure or pain. We are sentient and so are most other animals. This department will contribute to our understanding of sentience an

Plant Based Petition Hits 20,000 and Counting

Dale Vince’s petition calling for state support of plant based diets recently hit 20,000 signatures. It demands the government stop promoting meat and dairy through public ads and instead support sustainable diets. The response from Parliament is now mandatory and could bring this conversation into

Jewish, Vegan & Sustainable

JVS is the UK Jewish community's non-profit dedicated to promoting food ethics, sustainability, and concern for all living creatures.

Our Food Strategy Shouts Out Plant Based Future

The Vegan Society is abuzz, after the latest government food strategy gave a nod to the environmental harm of animal farming. The paper supports better access to nutritious plant based food and calls for changes in how food is produced. The Society is highlighting the need for follow through. Polici

O2 Vegan Edition: thanks to Billie Eilish Transformation

Billie Eilish just made her UK tour fully plant based. Every food vendor at the O2 and other venues is serving only vegan options. The shows also feature an Eco Village where fans can learn about climate change and sustainable living. This isn’t just about snacks and merch, it is an emphatic stateme

Planet Friendly Lifestyle

What’s on your plate matters way more than you’d think. New research shows vegan meals have a carbon footprint 60% lower than meat-based ones, and even 24% lower than veggie ones. Add that to lower water pollution, less land use, and less destruction of ecosystems, and honestly, it’s a no-brainer. W

Jude’s Is Going (50%) Vegan

Shoutout Jude’s Ice Cream, who reportedly are going 50% plant-based by the end of this year! Their vegan range already makes up 36% of what they sell, and they’re aiming for a 43% drop in carbon emissions overall. Beyond trendy flavours, this is about ice cream that doesn’t cost the earth (literally