The Urgency of Now:
Seattle’s Jewish Climate Festival
January 19-February 10, 2020
Tu BiShvat is the Jewish New Year for trees. It is a reminder of our interdependence with nature and our responsibility to be active stewards of our earth. While we are acutely aware of the need for a massive reduction in carbon emissions to prevent climate disaster and safeguard life, it can be difficult to know where to start or what will make an important difference.
We believe that our Jewish and human values mandate action.
We know that cities contribute 70% of the carbon put into our atmosphere.
We believe that the City of Seattle, with our innovative culture; love of mountains, water, and trees; and vibrant economy is ripe to take the lead in demonstrating how cities can make change locally that has impact globally!
As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr said in 1963, “We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there ‘is’ such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action."
A collective of Seattle Jewish communal organizations and leaders have collaborated this year to create The Urgency of Now: Seattle’s Jewish Climate Festival -- a series of events over several weeks to inspire, educate and energize. Anyone in the wider community is welcome to participate in any (or all!) of these activities. Most sign ups will take place on the website of the organization that’s coordinating each event, but you do not need to affiliated with that organization to participate. Events are offered by Kavana Cooperative, Congregation Beth Shalom, Moishe House Seattle, JConnect, Temple Beth Am, Kol HaNeshamah, Temple De Hirsch Sinai, Kadina, Congregation Eitz Or, Jewish Family Service, Mercaz, Ezra Bessaroth, Vashon Havurah, Earth Ministry, Congregation Kol Shalom and Limmud Seattle, with more coming soon!
Browse the range of experiences below — come to one or more events, bring your friends and family, and let’s make change together! Check back for additional events being added!
Global and Local Climate Solutions:
A Conversation with Hazon’s Nigel Savage, Seattle City Council Members, and Community Leaders
Tuesday, February 4, 2020, 7-9pm
Central location details provided with registration.
Tree Planting
On the Burke Gilman trail or Woodland Park with Green City Partnership, new and old friends.
February 9, 1:30-4:30pm
Kids and families welcome.
Visual Arts of Tu B’shvat: Celebrating Creation
Join artist Rainer Waldman Adkins to learn how Jewish artists have woven aspects of their Jewish identity into their artistic work, from wall hangings to micrography. Using Tu B’shvat, as an inspiration, participants will work together to create their own versions of some of these traditional art forms.
February 9, 2:00-3:30pm
Nature Hike
Join a guided nature walk through Schmitz Preserve Park in West Seattle with naturalist Clif Edwards, punctuated with prayers, poetry and readings.
February 9, 12:00-1:30pm
Singing Circle with Chava Mirel: The Tu BiShvat Sessions
Join Chava Mirel for an evening dedicated to the joy of Jewish singing... and repairing our fragile world through song! Chava will share the favorites we've come to love, as well as songs for an era of climate resilience, including her own composition! All are welcome; no musical experience required.
Tuesday, February 11, 7:30-9:00pm
Frutikas Seder
Are you post-college to 35 and looking to be in community around the beautiful Jewish holiday of Tu B’shvat? Then come to Hillel for a Frutikas Seder where we will be celebrating using Sephardic customs, and engaging with friends and food. Hosted by Jconnect Seattle
February 10, 7-9pm
at Hillel UW
Community Tu BiShvat Seder
Tu BiShvat was re-invented in the 16th century by Jewish mystics living in Sfat, in the Holy Land. They developed a seder, which they believed aided in the holy practice of Tikkun Olam, healing and repairing the world. Join ina beautiful, layered, multi-sensory experience of Tu BiShvat. Children who are old enough to participate in the seder (suggested 6th grade and above) are welcome to take part.
Sunday, February 9, 5 - 8 PM.
Location available upon registration.
Mini-Seder & Parsley Planting
Enjoy a mini Seder, led by Sam Kates-Goldman, and parsley planting that should be ready for Passover!
February 9 at 3 pm
Tu B'Shevat Seder
Young professionals (ages 21-32) are invited to celebrate Tu B'Shevat, the Jewish birthday of the trees, and the earth that sustains us, with a Tu B’Shevat seder and special Tu B'Shevat foods.
Wednesday, Feb 12, 7-9pm
Moishe House Seattle (Greenlake area)
Help build an ark in downtown Seattle to spark conversation and solutions. Really!
Ambling Outdoor Seder
Take an amble around the Seattle Arboretum's Witt Winter Garden. Deepen our relationship with nature, ourselves, each other, and our role in this world. All are welcome.
Sunday, February 9, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Exploring Dignity: Tu B’Shvat — Whose Job is it to Speak Up in the Face of Impending Disaster?
Join Beth Huppin, Director of Project Kavod/Dignity, for a Jewish text-based exploration about contemporary connections between the work of JFS and these questions.
We will serve snacks and bagels, or feel free to bring your lunch.
Monday, February 3, 2020
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Eastside Hike
Join us to hike a part of the Coal Creek Trail in Bellevue. It will be a morning of fresh air, time among the trees and a little bit of Jewish text. All levels of hikers and Jewish knowledge are welcome. RSVP to Rabbi Avi Fine afine@tdhs-nw.org for details on exactly where to meet.
Sunday, February 9th 10:30-11:45am
Tu B'Shvat Seder and Potluck on Vashon Island
Celebrate the trees and make a commitment to climate justice at our Tu B'Shvat Seder, co-sponsored by the Vashon Havurah and the Vashon Climate Action Group.
Sunday, Feb 9 from 5-7:30 pm.
Children's Seder from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m.
Fruticas Seder and Chicken Dinner
in Seward Park
February 9, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Tzedek Squared: A social justice oriented book club
We will be discussing A Terrible Thing to Waste: Environmental Racism and its Effect on the American Mind.
February 17 from 7-9pm
Niggun Collective Sings Tu BiShvat!
Sunday February 9th, 5-6:45pm
Wedgwood
Tree Planting
Congregation Kol Shalom
9010 Miller Rd. NE, Bainbridge Island
Sunday, February 9 at 10am
Multiple sessions on environmental themes.
"Practicing Tikkun Olam: Healing our Relationship with the Natural World" (Fran Solomon)
"T'shuvah in Action: from Ecological Restoration to Relationship with Creation" (Deirdre Gabbay, Adrienne Ross Scanlan)
"Jewish Models of Leadership in an Age of Climate Crisis" (Rabbi Josh Weisman)
Sunday, January 19 at Bellevue College.
Get in touch.
Want to know about future events and opportunities around climate and environmental justice in the Jewish community? Interested in collaborating on future festivals or events? Let us know! We’d love to include you in this growing movement.