Message from Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, Founder & CEO of Dayenu
The results of this election are devastating. Like many of you, I’m profoundly worried about what the coming years will mean for our country. The climate crisis will surely accelerate, impacting us all and worsening historical inequities in the U.S. and around the world.
But amidst my sorrow and anxiety, I’m also holding on to the knowledge that the growing Jewish climate movement, together with our partners, will continue to build a more just and livable future – no matter who is in office.
Just a few weeks ago over the High Holidays we were reminded of how to avert the severity of a harsh decree:
- Teshuvah: Now is a time to turn towards our core values and to each other.
- Tefilah: We must keep our spirits alive and connected to the Source of Life.
- Tzedakah: It is more important than ever to show up for those who are most vulnerable and take powerful action.
Even in the harshest of circumstances, there is space for us to act, rooted in our values and vision for the future.
Dayenu’s founding ethos draws on Jewish wisdom, values, and history. As Jews, we have experienced far too many periods of darkness – but we have survived and even thrived. It is going to take strategy and spirit to continue to confront the climate crisis and build a different future – but that is at the core of Dayenu.
We have our work cut out for us, but we will move forward, together. Over the coming years we will:
- Fight to keep Trump from overturning hard-earned climate legislation, dismantling environmental protections, expediting giveaways to the fossil fuel industry, and stripping the American people of our rights to raise our voice for our communities and collective future.
- Advance real climate solutions on the state and local level to accelerate our transition to a clean energy future. (Yes, this will still be possible.)
- Show up with our allies in solidarity for genuine democracy, justice, and equity.
- Stay rooted in our wisdom, history, spirit, and song, sustaining ourselves in hard times.
- Join together to find solace and strength in community.
In this dark moment whether you are looking for community, motivation and opportunity to organize, or immediate action to take, we are here for you.
I am so grateful for all we have done together – and all we will do. Now, we take a moment to breathe, hug our loved ones, and then recommit to bringing our moral might, people power, and spirit to the vital work ahead.
Together in strength and solidarity,
Rabbi Jennie Rosenn