The last few months have delivered one gut punch after another, as the Trump Administration inflicts ever more violence, lawlessness, and authoritarian overreach while continuing to undermine our country’s bedrock climate protections. All of it violates our most precious values, and endangers our individual lives and our collective future.
We are angry. But we are also determined – to grow our roots deeper and our resistance stronger. Our Jewish values compel us to act fiercely in order to protect and preserve life in the face of destruction and to do all in our power to sustain life l’dor vador, from generation to generation.
Together with partners we are holding strong, forging ahead with courage and conviction in the face of considerable obstacles. We are building a powerful Jewish climate movement and are grateful to have you with us!
SPIRITUAL ADAPTATION, CLIMATE ARTS, & JEWISH WISDOM
Our next Gathering for Song & Solidarity on March 11 (virtual) will feature Sarina Partridge and Joshua Blaine – two incredible musicians who have each spent years writing and sharing songs for climate justice and collective liberation. This joyous virtual concert is intended to support our network to recharge, rest, and show up more resiliently for the work ahead.
- December’s Midrash & Imagination creative writing series was a hit. More than 40 attendees joined us to learn Jewish sources, envision the world we want, and write the stories of how we will get there. Save the date for our next virtual Midrash & Imagination workshop: Passover Edition on March 24, 7-8pm ET.
- Gatherings for Jewish creatives: Last year, we organized our first two gatherings especially for creators in the Jewish climate movement (musicians, writers, visual artists, and ritualists), and are now designing more opportunities to connect, strategize, and create together.
- Climate Connections for the Holidays: We continue to share holiday resources and Climate Torah to bring to your community and ground our collective work in Jewish wisdom. Check out our holiday hubs for Hanukkah and Tu Bishvat. Our Purim and Passover hubs are coming soon – including our newly expanded Passover Seder Supplement!
- A Jewish climate lens on resisting authoritarianism: We recently hosted two holiday-themed political education events:
- Light & Unite: Anti-Authoritarian Hanukkah Gathering: Dayenu Circle leaders and community members gathered virtually for an evening of candlelighting, learning, and exploring what it means to not obey in advance.
- Rooted in Resilience: Anti-Authoritarian Tu Bishvat Gathering: On February 4, together with our partners at Bend the Arc, we turned to the wisdom and power of trees to learn strategies to resist authoritarianism with resilience, community care, and systems-level action. Musician Dodie Whitaker led us in rousing music – just like a tree planted by the water, we shall not be moved!
- Marking Shabbat: Each week, we welcome Shabbat with a reflection drawing on the collective wisdom, tradition, and inspiration of our Jewish sages, new and old. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and BlueSky to enjoy.
bold climate action
FEDERAL
Dayenu’s core work to confront the climate crisis with bold action has never felt more urgent as President Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin continue to prioritize Big Oil’s profits over the will of the people. Join us to take action!
Federal action to stop the giveaways to Big Oil: Tell your Senators to Oppose the SPEED Act.
NEW YORK
Great work, New Yorkers! More than 1,100 Jewish New Yorkers signed onto a letter urging Governor Hochul to invest in renewable energy solutions and resist pressure from the White House and fossil fuel industry to invest in more dirty, expensive, and dangerous fossil fuels. Dayenu worked with three other Jewish organizations in New York to create and deliver the letter to Governor Hochul. This month, we met with two of her senior advisers – her liaison to the Jewish community and a top environmental adviser – to bring the message home: Jewish New Yorkers want climate action now.
New Yorkers, demand climate action: Reach out to Governor Hochul and Your Legislators.
CALIFORNIA
One year after devastating fires ripped through communities in Southern California, together with RAC-CA, we organized scores of Jewish clergy across the state to release a letter calling on California state legislators and Governor Newsom to establish a Climate Superfund in California. Dayenu activists also met with state leaders, calling on them to support this legislation, which if passed would hold polluters accountable for the climate damages they’ve caused. We will take up the legislation in the next cycle.
Jews Against ICE
On February 11, the Jewish community in the US mobilized in Washington, DC, Boston, MA and other locations to voice opposition to ICE. Dayenu joined dozens of co-sponsoring organizations to protest the violence, cruelty, and lawlessness at the heart of this administration.
We know that the climate crisis and the rise of authoritarianism in the US are deeply linked. Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and free and fair elections are essential to taking collective action on the climate crisis.
We need a government that responds to the will of the people, not the dangerous interests of Big Oil. We are proud to stand in solidarity with our partners and allies, people all across America, and as part of the Jews For Freedom coalition.
BUILDING A JEWISH CLIMATE MOVEMENT
- Training Dayenu activists: We’re launching a new series of workshops to equip Dayenu activists with the skills and resources needed to build power across the country. Join us on Thursday, February 26 for an interactive workshop focused on helping you grow and strengthen your Dayenu Circle.
- Young People organizing: Dayenu continues to offer special events for young people and college students. This winter we ran two Climate Justice Shabbats in New York City at Moishe House and Columbia University and organized a Midrash and Imagination workshop at NYU.
- Jews of Color Caucus: Our JOC Caucus meets monthly, creating a special community for Jews of Color in our movement. Our next monthly meeting will be in March – details to come!
- Dayenu Circles: We offer regular meetings for new activists to connect and learn about organizing in their communities. Come to our Interest Meeting on Thursday, February 19, 8pm ET / 5pm PT.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Op-eds
From Rabbi Jennie Rosenn in AM NY on the New York Jewish community uniting in a single message to Governor Hochul.
From Rabbi Laura Bellows in Religion News Service on the disastrous move to repeal the Endangerment Finding through the lens of Tu Bishvat.
Podcasts
Climate One podcast (carried by 90 NPR outlets) featured Rabbi Jennie Rosenn in a multi-faith conversation about “Faith in Climate Progress.”
Ecosystem Member podcast featured Rabbi Laura Bellows in conversation about “Jewish Teachings on Nature and Responsibility.”
Honors
Rabbi Jennie Rosenn was recognized at the RAC’s Consultation on Conscience event in December, on the 20th Anniversary of Just Congregations.
Rabbi Jennie Rosenn was named one of the “50 Jewish Innovators of the Past 50 Years” by Moment Magazine – a tribute to her vision, leadership, strategic thinking, and passion for social justice.
More on our media page.