Lance Reis; Unsplash
It is so clear to me, when I step out into nature, that everything—the birds, the rivers, the trees, the soil, the seedlings and the decaying plants alike—literally depends on each other for survival and flourishing. I love how the natural world reminds us of our inherent belonging to each other—how we need diverse, interconnected communities to thrive.
This mirrors the ways in which movements for justice require all roles, all people, and all skill sets. At Avodah, one of our core tenets is that “leader does not mean one thing—one can lead in many ways, and the way that looks can change over time.” I especially love Deepa Iyer’s Social Change Map as a model for how we can work together across multiple roles to bring about a more just world.
This month our resources center on environmental justice as a nod to Tu B’Shvat, the Jewish holiday often colloquially known as the “Birthday of the Trees.” I invite you to consider the myriad of ways in which we can engage in social justice work and climate work specifically: songleading, storytelling, recipe sharing, advocacy, wrestling with our texts and traditions—these are all offerings to our movements.
— Alison Rollman, Program Manager, Avodah Institute for Social Change
Recommendations
Collection
Rooted in Love and Justice: Tu Bishvat and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Reflections from Queer Black Jews
This collection of art and essays by queer Black Jews focuses on the connections between Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Tu Bishvat through personal reflection, storytelling, and art.
Article
Jacob’s Freedom: Wrestling with Climate Change
Songbook
Rising Tides, Rising Voices: Songs for the Jewish Climate Movement
This collection of songs and chants by Dayenu inspires action for climate justice and comforts us in the face of grief and loss.
Recipes
Harvest Recipe Book
This bilingual (Spanish/English) collection of recipes features produce from Coastal Roots Farm, a Jewish community farm and education center.
Resource Guide
Tu B’Shevat Guide: Latinx Edition
Jewtina y Co.’s bilingual (Spanish/English) Tu B’Shevat guide includes recipes, texts, customs and calls to action centered around Jewish Latin American culture.
Article
Synagogues Aflame: Our Omissions in Transmitting L’Dor VaDor
Leaders from the Jewish Youth Climate Movement call on Jewish institutions to heed the call to preserve our environment for future generations.
