Since its founding in 2020, Dayenu has provided a dedicated space for Jews of Color interested in climate action. In the past year, the Jews of Color Caucus has met monthly, engaging members in organizing, connecting, and taking action. For more information, check out the JOC Caucus page.
Two of the Caucus members talked to us about their backgrounds and interest in connecting with climate activism through a Jewish lens.
Dodie Whitaker, Wisconsin
Putting music out into the world
Dodie Whitaker, who grew up in a family engaged with social justice, music, and faith, has gone on to embody all those threads in her life today. She’s an acclaimed musician and teacher, a conductor, a climate activist, and parent to two young adult children.
Her father was an ordained minister, a Black civil rights leader, and a community organizer. Her Jewish mother was interested in theology,”but in those times there just really wasn’t much space held for women in any kind of religion.”
Dodie has been involved with social justice movements touching on apartheid, gun violence, civil rights, climate – and more. “When I think about the work that I’ve been involved in, a lot of it is just kind of answering this call.”
“In later years of my trajectory, especially as a high school teacher and having kids of my own, climate justice has definitely come to the forefront.“ She says that as the Wisconsin winters have changed, “those realities just kind of hit you in the face.”
She also notes that, “As a person of color and as a Jew of color, I’m going to approach anything from the perspective of who I am. And when you look at the impact of the climate crisis, it’s falling disproportionately on communities of color. For a long time, they’ve been where they located all the polluting power plants and stuff.”
She recently got involved with a Jews of Color cohort at the Song Leader Boot Camp in St. Louis. “I ended up meeting these two incredible black Jewish rabbis. And I just felt so grateful that there is this budding Jews of color awareness.”
Dodie’s music training and experience ranges widely through her complex background. “When I went to this camp where I taught international folk dance, I discovered as a composer that a lot of my music is steeped in Jewish folk melody because I had grown up around it – or Israeli folk melody, I should say.”
In addition, she says her music is influenced by spirituals and Gospel music, musical theater, and classical music.
“I’m representing a pretty small community of folks in that I am a composer, a black Jew of color who’s also putting music out into the world.”
Robert Jackson, Harlem, NY
“Kindness is free.”
Robert Jackson got interested in climate action when he saw the impact of unclean air and water in his neighborhood in Harlem. “New York City has a lot of problems – rats and sanitation problems. It always bothered me… As a child growing up, I always asked for a clean space. And so I got involved in the beautification of my neighborhood – planting trees and plants.”
He takes inspiration from his local Block Association, which holds a beautification event each year. “They do a lot of planting – trees and other plants – and a community garden.”
He has enjoyed connecting with the Jews of Color Caucus, noting, “It’s been great, a really safe space.”
He’s been involved in his community in Harlem for years – especially around gun violence and drug abuse. He’s organized toy drives around holidays (see this feature on Pix11), and efforts to provide food and water to those in need in his neighborhood.
Robert, who converted to Judaism in 2015, attends services at a congregation online. He says he feels a special call to be active on climate; “The Jewish faith is big on charity. The more you give the more it comes back to you.”
He also says he knows about loss and destruction, having lost family members over the years “back to back to back.”
He encourages Jews of Color interested in climate action to join the Caucus. “Remember, kindness is free.”
The JOC Caucus is an inclusive space for Jews of Color within the climate movement.
It’s open to people of color who are Jewish, including Sephardi and Mizrachi Jews. Please know that we appreciate allyship, and this space is only for people of color.
Please explore our calendar and be in touch!