American Jewish communities have a long history of leadership and allyship in justice movements. Driven by Jewish values and wisdom, we now have a window of opportunity to make a difference on climate justice, for this generation and for those to come. How will you use your power during the election season?
Text #1: Deuteronomy 30:12-14
(יב) לֹ֥א בַשָּׁמַ֖יִם הִ֑וא לֵאמֹ֗ר מִ֣י יַעֲלֶה־לָּ֤נוּ הַשָּׁמַ֙יְמָה֙ וְיִקָּחֶ֣הָ לָּ֔נוּ וְיַשְׁמִעֵ֥נוּ אֹתָ֖הּ וְנַעֲשֶֽׂנָּה׃ (יג) וְלֹא־מֵעֵ֥בֶר לַיָּ֖ם הִ֑וא לֵאמֹ֗ר מִ֣י יַעֲבׇר־לָ֜נוּ אֶל־עֵ֤בֶר הַיָּם֙ וְיִקָּחֶ֣הָ לָּ֔נוּ וְיַשְׁמִעֵ֥נוּ אֹתָ֖הּ וְנַעֲשֶֽׂנָּה׃ (יד) כִּֽי־קָר֥וֹב אֵלֶ֛יךָ הַדָּבָ֖ר מְאֹ֑ד בְּפִ֥יךָ וּבִֽלְבָבְךָ֖ לַעֲשֹׂתֽוֹ׃ {ס}
It is not in the heavens, that you should say, “Who among us can go up to the heavens and get it for us and impart it to us, so that we may observe it?” Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, “Who among us can cross to the other side of the sea and get it for us and impart it to us, so that we may observe it?” No, the matter is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may observe it.
Source #2: Devarim Rabbah 8:6
Devarim Rabbah (~400-700 CE) is a midrash on the Biblical book of Devarim (Deuteronomy).
אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחָאי: הוֹצֵא דָּבָר מִתּוֹךְ פִּיךָ.
(On this) Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai said: “Bring forth the matter from your mouth.”
Questions:
- In what ways is this election very close to you? What is at stake for you?
- What might it mean to bring forth the matter from our mouths?
Text #3: Rabbi Sandra Lawson
“Every Vote is a Voice” YouTube Short (2024). Rabbi Sandra Lawson is a writer, public speaker, musician, and the Inaugural Director of Racial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Reconstructing Judaism.
Rabbi Lawson
Every vote has a voice. In the Talmud we learn that saving a life – saving a single life – is like saving an entire world. Similarly, casting a vote can impact our world, affecting social justice, education, and health care, and the environment.
Question: How do you use or want to use your heart and voice to advocate in this election season?
For more conversation about Jewish climate wisdom, see Dayenu's Climate Torah Resources.
