Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

Religions reporter Judah Ari Gross and environmental correspondent Sue Surkes join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Gross discusses matters of concern to Jewish diaspora and Israeli candidates, including the Western Wall, in a panel ahead of next week's elections.

Surkes looks at Israel's plans for COP27, beginning November 6 in Sharm el sheikh in Egypt, including the official delegation and pavilion, hundreds of local NGOs and presentation of climate tech companies.

Gross talks about the delicate situation Chabad Lubavitch is finding itself navigating in Russia, including a recent accusation of the Hasidic sect as a "supremicist cult" by a top security official.

Surkes explains the concept of green taxonomy, the categorization process of what kinds of business activities can be considered 'green' or climate-friendly investments.

Discussed articles include:

For a brief moment, frayed Israel-Diaspora ties take center stage in election debate

Israel’s big delegation to COP27 hoping to make connections, help climate with tech

Ministry drafts plans to recruit finance, business sectors to fight climate change

Russian chief rabbi protests as top official describes Chabad as a supremacist cult

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IMAGE: Illustrative: Russian Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, a Chabad emissary, with congregants at an unfinished synagogue in Sevatopol, Crimea, July 14, 2014. (Cnaan Liphshiz/JTA)

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