Dayenu Circle
These last few days have been a stark reminder of how interconnected we all are with one another. Fires north of us have the power to affect the large portions of the United States. Many of us took the air we breathe for granted. I daresay that that is no longer true.
When we pray together on Shabbat morning we often focus on Nishmat Kol Chai, a prayer that evokes the power of breath, of spirit, reminding us that it is not to be taken for granted. But the air itself is never mentioned, our ancestors, authors of our prayers, did not worry about the quality of the air that they were breathing. However, they did take seriously that they were the guardians of our earth, since the sign of the rainbow, after the flood. Taking care of the earth is up to us.
With that in mind, I share with you excerpts from two emails I received today. One from Dayenu and the other from the Jewish Earth Alliance, even as we begin to recover from this past week.
In Psalm 150, we recite kol haneshema tehallel Ya – roughly translated: Everything that breathes sings praise to its Source. Life depends on our ability to breathe, and nothing makes us feel that more keenly than when the places we live are enveloped in hazardous smoke from climate fires. This is what the climate crisis looks and feels like.
If you are in an area affected by the smoke, please take care of your lungs. As we know, the climate crisis affects the poorest and historically marginalized first and worst, and, it affects all of us. Experts recommend limiting time spent outdoors, using an air purifier indoors, and wearing a good mask if you do go outside. This is especially important for those who have asthma or other respiratory issues.
Smoke like this can be scary. In addition to health concerns, the reality of the climate crisis can land with new weight. We know that extracting, burning, and refining fossil fuels has increased the frequency and intensity of forest fires like this one. If we continue to extract and burn fossil fuels, these conditions will only get worse. Period. Full stop.
This is why we organize.
To make sure days like these are few and far between. To make sure we address the climate crisis at the scale that science and justice demand. To make sure we hold the fossil fuel executives and politicians who do their bidding accountable.
This week, stay safe. Make sure your community is okay. Then talk to your friends and family to help them understand that the smoke they are experiencing is part of the climate crisis, and it is scary, yes, but we aren’t helpless to do something about it.
Join or start a Dayenu Circle so you can take meaningful action in community or sign up to take part in our summer ‘Taking Down Goliath’ training for Dayenu Circle leaders, members, and those preparing to start or lead a Circle in their communities.
Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, Founder & CEO, Dayenu