FEATUREd IN THE NEW YORK TIMES

OCTOBER 29, 2024: Rabbi Jennie Rosenn’s vision and strategy were featured in an article about Dayenu’s history, mission, and work in the 2024 election cycle: “In a Decisive Election, a Jewish Group Focuses on Climate Voters.”

CHUTZPAH 2024

The audacity to demand a just and livable future

Chutzpah is Dayenu’s signature non-partisan effort to mobilize climate-concerned voters to get to the polls and ensure every policymaker has the chutzpah to deliver urgent action on climate. In 2024, we mobilized more than 800 activists to reach out to over 800,000 climate voters in key states (Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin). 6,000 conversations, 1,200 door knocks, 250 phonebank shifts in person, dozens of partners.

And all animated by Jewish ruach (spirit) that taps into our wisdom, ritual, and music and arts.

We came together for climate justice, for true democracy and voting rights, and for a just and livable future. And, we continued to build a powerful Jewish climate movement – so we can keep organizing for meaningful change for many years to come.

Check out the blog for more photos and stories. Read more about the campaign strategy.

HUNDREDS OF ACTIVISTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

"It felt great to walk someone through the process of requesting a mail ballot online, sending it in by the deadline, and reminding her it was a really important election for the environment -- to which she said, 'for sure!'"

"As someone deeply connected to nature, I believe climate justice is essential, especially for the most vulnerable communities who are the ones most affected by climate change. That's why I'm phonebanking—to ensure that those who care about our planet vote this November."

"My favorite calls were to a woman who'd moved from Virginia to Florida, but had evacuated to Colorado! She'll vote when she gets back home. Then I spoke to a young man who will be voting for the first time!"

"I just had a guy talk about how his whole community has a big barbecue with 'beans and everything' and they all go vote early!"

"Just had a great call with someone who moved recently and needed help finding their polling location. They were grateful for the information and very kind!"

"The Torah commands us to do this kind of thing. To try to find justice in the world. And climate justice is one of the big ones. What have you got to lose?"

"The framing with Jewish values [at the beginning] and songs [at the end] has really elevated the experience of calling voters to feel more communal, uplifting, and meaningful."

OUR STRATEGY

Our goals campaign goals were to:

Mobilize Jewish climate activists to contact half-a-million voters in key states; targeting people who are unlikely to vote, who care about the climate, and who may be facing barriers to voting.
Lift up the climate stakes of this moment in this election to voters – especially Jewish voters, candidates, and elected officials.
Ensure that every candidate and policymaker has the chutzpah to deliver urgent action on climate.

Dayenu partners with the Environmental Voter Project to harness its superior targeting and technology. We recruit and train volunteers from our grassroots Dayenu Circle network and allied Jewish organizations and communities.

Rooted in spirit and meaning. As with everything we do, we bring Jewish spirit and wisdom to our work. Our regular phonebanking sessions feature kavanot (short inspiring teachings), live musical performances, and community-building. We aim to nourish our souls and our movement for the work ahead of us.

Chutzpah is the audacity to demand a just and livable world. And it’s about building people power.

Big Oil spends millions to elect politicians who will do their bidding. Dayenu wants to empower every eligible voter to get to the polls this November. We need policymakers at every level of government who represent the interests of everyday people, not just corporate polluters.

We have a narrow window. As the climate crisis accelerates, time is growing short to make the big, systemic changes we need to avert the worst of global catastrophe. We need to slash fossil fuel emissions and invest in clean energy to safeguard the future for us all.

We need every eligible voter to cast a ballot for a just and livable future. One where everyone can not only survive, but thrive.

We are mobilizing our people and our moral might to realize our vision. It will take all of us, and a whole lotta chutzpah. Join us.