NOVEMBER 9 • 2023 | 35

Adamah Detroit Community 
Summit.

JEWISH 
ENVIRONMENTAL 
ADVOCACY
As a state full of natural 
resources and picturesque 
landscapes, Michigan faces 
many pressing environmen-
tal challenges. This session 
will include input from local 
leaders engaged in climate 
advocacy on pending legisla-
tion and how local organiza-
tions can advocate for topics 
of their choosing. Jewish 
Environmental Advocacy 
was developed in partnership 
with the JCRC/AJC, Detroit 
Jews for Justice and the 
National Council of Jewish 
Women | MI.

CLIMATE ACTION 
FINANCING
What does it take to finance 
climate action? This session 
will answer this pressing 
question and more as partic-
ipants dive into the nuances 
of climate financing. Topics 
will include how tax-exempt, 
faith-based organizations can 
access federal, state, local 
and private financial resourc-
es. Examples will be present-
ed on previously completed 
projects that utilized these 
resources, including how and 
why their methods worked. 
Attendees will also have the 
opportunity to ask questions 
and discuss upcoming or 
desired projects within the 
community. Climate Action 
Financing was developed in 
partnership with Hebrew 
Free Loan and Lean & Green 
Michigan.

CLIMATE ACTION 
PLANNING
The Jewish Climate 
Leadership Coalition, pow-
ered by Adamah, is a net-
work of Jewish community 
organizations who recognize 

the existential threat and 
moral urgency of climate 
change. The Climate Action 
Planning session will share 
the strategic priorities of 
each organization and how 
they plan to reduce green-
house gas emissions and cre-
ate impactful environmental 
programming. This session 
was developed in partnership 
with Temple Beth Emeth, 
Temple Emanu-El and the 
Isaac Agree Downtown 
Synagogue.

TORAH OF THE EARTH
By exploring sacred Jewish 
texts, participants will learn 

about the insights, values 
and ethical teachings that 
have stood the test of time 
and influence our relation-
ship with the Earth. The 
interactive and participa-
tory session will discuss 
ancient wisdom and how it 
guides today’s generations 
in becoming stewards of the 
environment. Torah of the 
Earth was developed in part-
nership with Adat Shalom 
Synagogue, The Well and 
Beth Israel Congregation.
“We hope by diving deep 
into our textual tradition 
we can come together in 
hope and in vision for what 

Michigan Jewish 
climate leader-
ship could look 
like,” says Rabbi 
Blair Nosanwisch 
of Adat Shalom 
Synagogue, who 
is helping lead 
the session.

EMPOWER TEEN-LED 
CLIMATE ACTION
A session focused specifi-
cally on teens will explore 
the intersection of climate 
action, climate anxiety and 
Jewish identity. Designed 
for Jewish teen-serving 
professionals, attendees 
of Empower Teen-Led 
Climate Action will hear 
from Adamah’s Jewish Youth 
Climate Movement (JYCM) 
alumni about building path-
ways for environmental 
education and teen resil-
ience. Conversations will 
also include actionable steps 
leaders can take to help teens 
channel anxiety into positive 
action, while also addressing 
the emotional toll of climate 
concerns. This session was 
developed in partnership with 
JYCM staff and teen leaders, 
Adat Shalom, BBYO MI and 
Congregation Shaarey Zedek.

JEWISH 
ENVIRONMENTAL 
EDUCATION
Designed for Jewish educa-
tors, Jewish Environmental 
Education will highlight the 
many connections between 
nature and the Hebrew 
calendar. This interactive 
session will offer insights 
into the Jewish communi-
ty’s relationship with the 
planet, spirituality and 
religion, including how the 
Jewish calendar aligns with 
changing seasons. Jewish 
Environmental Education 
was developed in partnership 
with Congregation T’chiyah 
and Adamah. 

Torah of the Earth will talk about how Torah wisdom and climate 
advocacy go together.

The Topsy-Turvy Bus rolls into schools every year teaching about the 
environment.

Rabbi Blair 
Nosanwisch

