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Dear Friends,
Last night we lit the eighth candle of Chanukah, but from the very first flame we are reminded that even a small light can push back great darkness. This Chanukah, that message felt especially poignant. In a moment marked by grief and fear following the horrific antisemitic attack in Australia, alongside the ongoing weight of the climate crisis, the darkness can feel persistent and overwhelming. And yet, Chanukah asks us not to look away, but to respond with intention and perseverance. It teaches dedication and rededication—the choice to keep lighting the flame, night after night.
This year, Adamah NY’s Chanukah programming invited our community to reflect on oil itself—from the miracle of ancient oil that sustained light against the odds, to the modern oil that drives our systems today, often at great cost to people and planet. We asked how our relationship to energy shapes our responsibility to the earth, and how we can transform what we consume into a source of healing rather than harm. As with the Chanukah lights, climate action is not about a single moment but about sustained commitment—choosing again and again to show up for a more just and livable future.
[From Oil-to-Oil program. Adamah NY partnered with Astoria Center of Israel, and Wandering Jews of Astoria]
As this is our final email of 2025, we’re filled with gratitude for what has been a tremendous year for Adamah NY. Together, we expanded our reach, deepened our impact, and continued building a vibrant Jewish environmental community. We invite you to explore our achievements, successes, and plans for 2026 in our Year in Review—and to celebrate what we’ve made possible together.
Looking ahead, there is so much to be excited about in the coming year: our Tu B'Shvat Party, the launch of our B'Mitzvah cohort, a Shabbaton retreat for teens, volunteer opportunities, a trip to Israel for Jewish environmentalists, and more. None of this would be possible without the energy, care, and enthusiasm of our community—our Humans of Adamah (featured in this newsletter is Mindy Germain!). As we close out the year, please consider making a donation to help us grow our light even brighter in 2026.
With gratitude and hope,
Adamah NY Year in Review
Come Party with Us!
Adamah Tu B'Shvat Seder in Harlem
Sunday, February 1 at 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Join Adamah NY erev Tu B'Shvat for a seder that will take us on a sensory journey through the four kabbalistic worlds. We will sing, taste fruits, create art, and celebrate the trees!
Something Exciting Just Launched
Adamah NY B’Mitzvah Cohort
6 Sessions from 2/22-3/29
The Adamah NY B’Mitzvah Cohort empowers young people to design a Mitzvah project that brings their values and responsibility to life. This month-long environmental and social justice program, taught by Adamah NY educators, connects Jewish tradition with climate action for students in the year leading up to their B’Mitzvah.
Upcoming Events
Teen Climate Leadership Shabbaton
(Share this with the Teens in your life!)
March 20 - 22, 2026
Isabella Freedman Retreat Center, Falls Village CT
Adamah’s JYCM Teen Climate Leadership Shabbaton is an opportunity for Jewish teens with a passion for environmentalism and climate action to come together, learn, and bond. JYCM members from the New York/northeast region will participate in a song-filled and spiritually uplifting Shabbat, with opportunities to connect to nature and each other, all while learning about issues of climate justice and how to take action in their local communities.
Roots and Resilience: Adamah NY Environmental Journey to Israel 2026
May 4 - 10, 2026
Israel
An opportunity for NY-based Jewish Climate Professionals: this tour offers an introduction to Israel’s social, political, religious, and geostrategic complexities, with a focused exploration of its environmental challenges and innovative solutions.
Humans of Adamah
Meet Mindy Germain | Port Washington, NY
“Adamah arrived right when my spirit needed to be reawakened… I’m experiencing a deep reconnection to purpose.”
