Tu B’Shevat began as a minor celebration for our natural world, evolved with the addition of a Passover-like seder in the 16th century, and is now marked by many in the mainstream Jewish community as the “Jewish Earth Day.” The holiday has taken on many meanings to many people, and is now a centerpiece of the Jewish calendar for those in the Jewish environmental world. But Tu B’Shevat should be more than just a holiday for “green” Jews. This year, we can all engage by taking action – through individual actions and public advocacy – to protect the environment that we all depend on.
Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the RAC, and Rabbi Steve Gutow, President of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and Board member of the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, wrote about our Tu B’Shevat responsibilities in a JTA op-ed. In it, they remind us:
At many of our celebrations, we will read from Ecclesiastes 1:4: “One generation goes, another comes, but the earth remains the same forever.” Yet our generation is learning that this promise may not be ensured. The earth is changing before us, and the resources we enjoy today – abundant food, a stable climate, and clean, breathable air – may not be here forever.
We know that there is so much we can all do to mitigate the devastation of climate change, from planting trees, increasing efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle, and rethinking how the foods we eat impact our air, water, and climate. However, we must also begin stepping beyond individual action to engage in the great public policy debate over our climate and energy future.
As Rabbis Saperstein and Gutow explain,
As citizens of the nation that sets the tone for the world’s environmental standards, American Jews have a special duty. It is a Jewish imperative to raise our voices for what we believe is right and just: legislation that will effectively address the environmental crises of our generation … This is the only way to limit both the current global temperature rise and future environmental degradation.
As you celebrate Tu B’Shevat this year, enjoy the festive meal, the songs and prayers of the Tu B’Shevat Seder, and the feeling of connection to the earth that comes with planting a tree. But also consider how you can do more – by calling on your Senators to support comprehensive climate legislation at the national level, and fighting attempts to block the EPA from protecting our environment and our health under the Clean Air Act.
The op-ed concludes with a reminder that our challenge is simple but profound:
Some argue that Congress needs more time to consider environmental legislation, insisting that we cannot rush such an important task. Yet time is the one thing that we, and the planet, do not have. We must call on our elected representatives and the administration to pass comprehensive energy and climate legislation for a healthier environment – and for the cause of human survival.
This Tu B’Shevat, let’s get to work!
Read the full op-ed, “Our Tu b’Shevat responsibility,” here. Celebrate Tu B’Shevat the social justice way with resources including model Tu B’shevat Seders, environmental action alerts, common conservation actions, and more from the RAC and COEJL.