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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