SEPTEMBER 22 • 2022 | 29
the three key goals of the
Shomrei Adamah program
were encouraging conversa-
tions about the climate crisis,
tapping into connectedness
and values and recognizing
some psychological barriers to
climate action, and setting the
stage for taking faithful collec-
tive action for climate justice.
The program was led by
Leah Wiste, executive director
of Michigan Interfaith Power
& Light, whose mission is “to
inspire and equip people of
faith to exercise stewardship of
and love for all Creation.
”
Wiste stressed the impor-
tance of engaging people’s
hearts and spirits in talking
about climate destabilization.
She challenged the group to
approach climate destabiliza-
tion by examining it through
heart, head and hands.
Focusing first on heart,
Wiste asked, “What are the
ways in which the Earth
loves and provides for you?”
Shifting to head, she asked the
group, “What do you know
about climate destabilization?”
And rounding off with hands,
she quoted Pirkei Avot, “You
are not obligated to complete
the work, but neither are you
free to desist from it.
”
Wiste stressed the impact of
saying “climate destabilization”
rather than the more frequent-
ly used term “climate change.
”
Destabilization better com-
municates the dire negative
impact of change in climate
on the Earth.
She drew a three-legged
stool, identifying each leg as
part of how to engage and
commit to the cause. The
legs represent practical/local
actions, social/systemic action
and spiritual/relational action.
The three-legged stool is
a foundational principle of
Judaism. The teaching is that
the world is held up by the
three legs of Torah, tzedakah
(righteousness/charitable
giving) and chesed (lovingk-
indness).
Wisde closed the program
by leading the group in the
song, “The Tide is Rising”
by Rabbi Shoshana Meira
Friedman.
The group sang, “The tide is
rising and so are we … This is
where we are called to be.
”
Leah Wise
leads the
conversation.
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