DAYENU CLIMATE ACTIVISTS IN ACTION
What an inspiring day of Jewish climate action in Albany, NY!
During the New York state legislative session this year, Dayenu has been working with JCAN-NYC to bring the moral and collective might of the New York Jewish community to the effort to pass the Climate, Jobs, & Justice package. We’ve joined with a broad coalition of organizations, under the umbrella of NY Renews, to ensure that climate justice is top of mind for NY Governor Kathy Hochul, Speaker of the NYS Assembly Carl Heastie, and all state legislators.
On March 20, we joined hundreds of activists from across the state for a day of action at the New York State Capitol in Albany. It was a delight to lift our voices with people from all communities, and to convey the urgency for climate action and climate justice.
How it feels to bring the demand for climate justice to the halls of power: A day in the life
6:00am: Time to rise and shine. You’re either catching an early bus, or driving, and you need to be in your seat in the meeting room at the convention center in just a few hours.
10:00am: After the bus drops you off, find your way to the meeting room at the convention center and get ready to make some noise! The organizers have you in mind: they provide earplugs and masks, as well as bagels, and, crucially, coffee.
You get the run of show for the day, and find your peeps. If you’re part of Dayenu, you make sure you wear your bright blue shirt!
10:30am: Join the very long line to get through security into the State Capitol. You wonder if you’ll pass through with your box of mishloach manot (a gift basket for your legislator), your tube of posters, and your very important water bottle.
And now, to climb. Who knew the State Capitol had so many (and such grand) staircases? Yes, it feels very much like a movie — you do expect the paintings to come to life and complain about the clamor.
And, sure enough, it is indeed loud and echo-ey (and warm); you appreciate the earplugs (and the water bottle).
11:00am-noon: The million dollar staircase! Hoist your banner! Toot your horn! Chant! Cheer on the excellent speakers — legislators to community leaders — demanding “climate justice now” and passage of the NY HEAT Act and the Climate Change Superfund Act. Make polluters pay! Reduce the cost of heat for low-income households!
It’s all about CJJP: Climate, Jobs, and Justice Package. The bills in the package address climate justice: the need for good, green jobs; the need to address the disproportionate impact of climate crisis on overburdened communities; the urgency to move off fossil fuels and onto clean energy.
What should New York’s future be? CJJP!
Green jobs for you and me! CJJP!
Noon-1:00pm: MORE STAIRS. Down the way you came, back up to sit on a grand staircase outside where the legislators are meeting. And now, more important than ever to whoop it up and let them know you’re out there!
Hey, hey, what do you say?
Climate justice right away!
1:00pm: And now to the War Room (which, despite its name, is a beautiful spot for peaceful activism). The ceiling is quite spectacular, and it’s packed. More speeches, til the moment to disburse to visit legislative offices. Dayenu folks compile the mishloach manot — handmade pinwheels! handwritten postcards! hamantaschen! (yum) — and start the delivering.
Some of us stay behind for a multifaith gathering about why we’re dedicated to climate action. A song, a prayer, several speakers — a lovely and still moment at the heart of the chaos, a reminder of the reasons why: our love for one another, future generations, the earth.
2:00pm: Back to the meeting room, to a boxed lunch and a lot of water; to some chants and celebrations; and through the many hallways back to the bus, and back home!
3:00pm: Board the bus, and the drive back.
What a great and empowering day! And how profound and moving to take action together.
Join the fun at any time! More about A Time To Build. More about our Spiritual Adaptation resources.