Archives: Events

Join us on Wednesday, August 31 at 12 noon EDT / 9 a.m. PDT / 7 p.m. Israel  Did you know that the Shmita (Sabbatical year) cancels all debts between Jews, whether in our outside of the land of Israel? Not only that -- debts are not canceled at the beginning of the Shmita year (last fall), but rather at the end (this coming Rosh Hashanah)? Why did the Shmita (release) of debts happen after a whole Shmita year had passed? How did the Shmita year transform people's relationships to get them ready for this great societal reset? How was release and liberation for the land entwined with liberation for human beings? After an overview of Shmita, we will look deeply into these questions to discover something so important: our ancestors understanding of money, of blessing, of caring for the needy, were all very different from our contemporary society's. Hillel compromised the vision of Shmita in order to allow Jews to function in the Roman Empire -- but now it is time to reclaim our heritage. How can we remodel our lives to give life to that utopian vision of so long ago? Rabbi David Seidenberg is the creator of neohasid.org and the author of Kabbalah and Ecology: God's Image in the More-Than-Human World. He has published widely on Judaism and human rights, animal rights, ethics, and ecology, and is well-known for his liturgy and translations. David is also an avid dancer, composes Jewish and other music, and leads programs on Judaism and astronomy.   Get more information, additional meeting topics, schedules and RSVP here: https://aytzim.org/webinars Please note: RSVPs accepted until two hours before the session start; links will be sent about an hour before the session start (please check your spam folders)  

How Green Is Your Torah: Exploring Judaism's Environmental EthicA FREE 1-Hour Zoom Class What does Judaism have to say about the relationship between human beings and the earth? How can Torah guide us in thinking about sustainability, environmentalism, and our response to the climate crisis? Rabbi Micah Streiffer leads us in discussion in honor of Tu Bishevat (the traditional Jewish "New Year of the Trees.") Register or get more info at https://laasok.org/current-offerings/#green. Or contact . Sponsored by LAASOK: Sacred Texts, Modern Meaning

5:00 pm - 6:15 pm PT Rep. Raskin is a tremendous leader and inspiring speaker.  This will be a very exciting program, which will include breakouts for preparation by state.  Congress may appear to be completely dysfunctional, but work is going on underneath the surface in preparation for the lame duck session that will follow the election.  It is essential that Members of Congress hear a loud and strong call for action on climate solutions.  The Prep session will last 1 hour & 15 minutes. It will start at 5:00 pm PT and 8:00 PM ET. Registration link for Prep Session:  bit.ly/prepfortb And if you haven't registered for the Virtual Lobby Day on August 8, when you can speak to members of Congress to advocate for Climate Solutions, register here: bit.ly/9AV5784

As Tisha B’av approaches, we’re teaming up with Jewish Earth Alliance for Pre-Tisha B’av Virtual Lobby Day on Thursday August 8.  Please join us! Meeting with your members of Congress or their staff is the most powerful way to impact our government to take the big steps we need to protect people and the Earth.  This session of Congress is critically important.  We need Congress to: It is easy to lobby with Jewish Earth Alliance.  You will participate in a half hour appointment on Zoom with other Jews from your state, led by a volunteer who has experience lobbying. You will be provided with talking points and training.  Please join us by registering now for Thursday August 8: Register: bit.ly/9AV5784 (Please note that the Lobby Day takes place before Tisha B’av). On Tisha B'av Jews mourn many disasters, but we also celebrate our people's rebirth and transformation.  Let's make this Tisha B'av a turning point on the path to a safe and healthy future for all people. NOTE...If you missed or want to review our July 16th briefing on everything you need to be ready to participate in a virtual meeting with your Member of Congress or their staff on August 8, see our YouTube recording, with Rabbi David Saperstein and Congressman Jamie Raskin. which is posted on the Jewish Earth Alliance YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW2u4VzO16FEYHSGVB85Nbg

This Tu Bishvat Your Senators Need to Hear from You! Tu Bishvat is the annual reminder to pay attention to the trees that provide us with food, shade and shelter. Trees are the lungs of our planet, breathing in carbon dioxide and breathing out the oxygen we need to survive. Join members of our community and Jews across the United States to urge the 119th Congress to protect people and planet with climate solutions. You'll receive everything you need to be ready to participate in virtual meetings with U.S. Senators or their staff. These half-hour meetings will take place online. Register to Participate: bit.ly/LobbyDay2025FebJEA

The Conference will be live at: Temple Beth Elohim, 10 Bethel Rd, Wellesley MA  And also on Zoom . The activism of the Jewish Climate Action Network of Massachusetts is rooted in the Jewish values of Tikkun Olam (repair of the world) and Shomrei Adamah (guardians of the earth). We invite the participation of anyone who holds these same values, regardless of faith. And if we’re going to reach our global climate goals by 2050, we need everyone to do the work right now. Between the climate crisis and current world situation, there has never been a more challenging time to work together—which means our work is that much more necessary. The Fourth Jewish Climate Action Conference will focus on how we can work together to make necessary systemic change. Our goal is to inspire participants by highlighting ongoing successful collaborative efforts and to offer strategies for living a resilient and hopeful life in these troubled times. Your registration includes a screening of David Abel's award-winning film "Inundation District." Other Sessions will cover topics addressing: • The power of coalition to address climate change and environmental justice • Changing the infrastructure • Action solutions that others can use • advocacy and organizing • spiritual resilience and strategies for living • sustainability and greening your finances • overcoming racism in climate justice ​• how to implement Jewish values into our climate work Aytzim adds a thank you to Lynn Nadeau, JCAN-MA member, for her generous donation. JCAN-MA is now able to offer reduced admission: $5 admission to anyone under the age of 25 (in person only--use code JCAN-UNDER25=2025); half price admission for others Zoom or in-person (use code JCAN-GENEROUS-2025). Volunteers are still free (lunch included). Sliding scale available for any hardships (contact ).   CLICK HERE for more information CLICK HERE to register