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Dear Friends,
As we send out our final newsletter for 2024, we reflect on a year of challenges and opportunities for climate action within our community and in the world. The recent U.S. elections bring uncertainty, with signals that some critical climate achievements and programs may face setbacks. On the global front, UN Secretary General António Guterres declared at COP29 in Baku last month, “Now is the time to fast-track, not backtrack; the time for ambition.” At Adamah NY, we are doing exactly that—moving forward with unwavering commitment to climate action, youth empowerment, and Jewish environmental education.
In this newsletter, meet our new Climate Action Coordinator, who is dedicated to supporting the institutions in Adamah’s Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition, and read about the inspiring work of our Jewish Youth Climate Movement and their recent activities. Our momentum is growing, and our work remains deeply rooted in our shared Jewish values.
Looking ahead to 2025, there is so much more to do. We need your support to expand and deepen our impact.
Please join us in this crucial effort by making a donation that will be matched by the Adamah NY Advisory Council. Every dollar you donate will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $18,000.
Venmo: @adamah-inc
Your gift will ensure we can continue empowering youth, guiding Jewish institutions in climate action, and fostering joyful connections within our community to protect and preserve our beloved planet.
With gratitude,
Dr. Shahar Sadeh, Adamah NY Director
Welcome to the Adamah NY Team, Jessie!
Jessie Rothfleisch holds a master's degree in urban and environmental planning from the University of Virginia. She was recently certified by the Urban Green Council as a Green Professional in Building Operations and Maintenance. At the University of Virginia’s Environmental Institute, she worked on research focused on land use policies for decarbonization in Virginia. Jessie is excited to bring together her passion for environmental work and her Jewish identity in her new role as Climate Action Coordinator at Adamah NY. She is also a participant in Avodah, a Jewish social justice fellowship, and currently lives in the Avodah Bayit (house) in Brooklyn. In her free time, Jessie enjoys long walks around New York City and painting.
NY Teens are Rocking Climate Action!
JYCM-NY has been thriving since the school year began! On Indigenous People's Day, over 50 teens from UJA's Jteen gathered at the beautiful Garden of Remembrance in White Plains, planting 200 daffodil bulbs through the Daffodil Project and creating plant holders for Holocaust survivors. It was a meaningful way to honor those who perished and survived.
During Sukkot, teens foraged their own lulavs in Central Park, recited blessings, and shared pizza in Central Synagogue’s sukkah. It was a fun and creative way to connect with Judaism and explore our shared "backyard."
On October 22, students from the leadership board joined the Fort Tryon kvutzah to Get Out the Vote with our partners at Dayenu, calling climate-concerned voters to use their moral voice. Many teens experienced civic engagement for the first time, making it an exciting and impactful evening!
On November 19, we teamed up with Councilmember Gale Brewer’s Tree Clinic at the Marlene Meyerson JCC in Manhattan. Teens helped 50 participants learn tree care from Big Reuse and led a Carob Tree Visioning activity, imagining the metaphorical “trees” we want to grow in our community.
Looking ahead, don’t miss the JYCM Northeast Climate Education and Action Retreat at Isabella Freedman, March 21-23. Share with your teens—we’d love for them to join!
