Kazuend; Unsplash
Later this month, the practice of counting the Omer begins: a Jewish custom to count each day of the seven weeks from Passover to Shavuot. There’s a kabbalistic ritual which takes seven sefirot (divine qualities that live within us) and applies them to that calendar so that each day contains a pair: lovingkindness within strength, etc. For the past five years, I’ve been a part of an Omer project where a group of folks journal in a shared document each day, puzzling out transcendent harmony (day 21) or reflecting on how to bring endurance to rooted creativity (day 39). It has become a powerful opportunity to more deeply understand how our lives are at once utterly distinct and intricately intertwined, to find resonance and explore dissonance, to truly see and learn from each other, to grow together.
There is no shortage of reminders all around us that our choices impact each other. We can and must learn from each others’ examples and struggles, that we are enmeshed in what Dr. King called “an inescapable network of mutuality.” This month, we offer you two newsletters both reflecting that interconnected reality: one dedicated to climate justice and the other to the liberation themes of the Passover story. From how we treat our home to how we treat each other, we need as many resources as we can get to help us harness each moment, reflect on our choices and identify paths towards change. Just as the Omer practice does for me, I hope these will provide you with unique perspectives to be in dialogue with and new visions to follow.
— Sarra Alpert, Director of The Avodah Institute for Social Change
Recommendations
Educational Resource
We are the Weather Discussion Guide
Jonathan Safran Foer’s book compels us to rethink our actions in response to the climate crisis. Hazon’s discussion guide pairs Jewish texts and commentary with Safran Foer’s quotes and key concepts, adding complexity along with guidance for action.
Video
Rabbi Jennie Rosenn’s Speak Torah to Power Talk
Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, founder and CEO of Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Justice, speaks on the climate crisis as the existential crisis of our time, deeply intertwined with contemporary social, economic and racial justice issues.
Book
Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang
Qian Julie Wang’s memoir is the moving story of an undocumented child living in poverty in the richest country in the world. Avodah Institute Advisory Council member, Yolanda Savaga-Narva, sat down with Qian Julie to talk about her acclaimed book and her Jewish journey.
Poem
“Of the Veritable Ocean” from Hila Ratzabi
In this season of renewal, grief can still be ever-present, especially as we mark over 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to ongoing ecological and social crises. Writer Hila Ratzabi invites us to contemplate our physical relationship with the earth and our ensuing emotions through poetry and guided reflection.
