The Work Continues: Brief Aytzim Statement on the 2024 Election

6 Nov. 2024 / 5 Cheshvan 5785

For many who care about environmentalism and addressing climate change — and for many who fight White supremacy — the results of Tuesday’s election are exceptionally concerning. Among other promises, the president-elect — whose campaign rhetoric and first White House term were tainted by extensive anti-Semitism and other forms of racism — has vowed to gut environmental programs, reversing many federal-government policies that address climate change. Take some time to mourn what could have been had a different candidate won. Here at Aytzim, our work continues. And as an all-volunteer nonprofit, we always need your help.

Aytzim is legally bound to be non-partisan in U.S. elections, and practically speaking we long have found that the best way to advance our environmental concerns is to work to bridge political (and racial and religious) differences. We have been doing Jewish-environmental work since 2001 and in that time we have sought to work with both Democrats and Republicans and practically anyone else who is willing to speak with us about supporting this wonderful Earth that we all share. We are proud to be partners with many groups, including GreenFaith, Interfaith Moral Action on Climate, Interfaith Oceans, the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable, and the National Religious Coalition on Creation Care. Our work may be more challenging in the coming four years but we will continue as we always have — and continue doing so in coalition.

The Talmud teaches us that even when the task is greater than we can handle, we must continue trying to address it (Pirkei Avot 2:16). Today our challenge seems overwhelming, but with your help we shall not desist in our mission, working on behalf of you, our supporters and allies, to educate and empower Jews and others to green our collective lives, communities, Israel and the Earth.

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