Climate

I feel as though we often hit on the climate as our Mitzvah of the Week. Why is that? Because the climate crisis continues to worsen despite all that we know that can be done to alleviate it, both locally and globally. Right now, temperatures in the west are hitting historical highs and flooding in southeast Michigan is destroying towns. It is becoming increasingly clear that the Surfside tragedy was caused in part by unsafe conditions resulting from rising sea levels. Quite frankly, we are destroying our planet at a (nearly) unprecedented rate, and the results are affecting ALL of us.

How does this crisis affect us as Jews? Dr. Hannah Pressman writes that "the Jewish response to a crisis is to care for others and take responsibility for those who are most vulnerable. I am trying to turn my emotions about the climate crisis into action, seeking out organizations that are educating and making an impact, and informing myself about policies that might create change." Click here for the full article.

What can we do this week?

Visit the Rainforest Alliance to read an excellent article on actions that we can take now.

The organization Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action is collecting signatures to a letter to Senator Chuck Schumer to urge him to support the pending infrastructure bill that cuts emissions, creates jobs, and supports environmental justice. We need to hold Senator Schumer to unifying his party to make sure that all 50 Democratic senators vote for this bill. Click HERE to sign.