SPREAD THE JOY AND POWER OF ACTIVISM: HELP RECRUIT FOR LOBBY DAY

PRE-TISHA B’AV LOBBY DAY, JULY 21, 2026

Take Action

When people take action together, we can elevate climate action on the public agenda and build cohesion, community, and strength for the cause. With our allies, we can insist that government make the changes we envision by enacting pro-climate policies and legislation. The most important driver of climate change is human action, so let’s put as many hands as we can on those levers. Join us to power up our Senate Lobby Day climate message by inviting at least one person you know to join your state’s Lobby Day zoom meetings. 

Background

As we witness the barrage of assaults on our democratic processes, institutions, and values, including the reversal of hard-fought climate laws and policies, we might feel overwhelmed. But there’s a solution! When we rise up together and challenge those in power, research shows we make a difference. In fact, campaigns such as citizen lobbying are more likely to succeed because they can recruit many participants from a broad population. The adage “there is strength in numbers” is true. Numbers really matter for building political power in ways that can pose a serious challenge to entrenched authorities.

Why Now?

Currently lined up in the Senate are proposed climate laws that need our voice: supporting a law to improve weather research and forecasting (S.3923), opposing one that attempts to protect fossil fuel companies from climate lawsuits (S.4340), and supporting a bill that would prevent the Trump administration from opening up millions of acres of national forests for more logging (S.2042).  Double your impact on these issues by recruiting a friend to join us on Lobby Day, July 21.

Jewish Perspectives

 The Talmud offers guidance for difficult times like our own: בְּכָל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ — נִתְפָּס עַל כָּל הָעוֹלָם כּוּלּוֹ

If one can protest against a wrong being committed by the whole world and does not protest, they are held accountable with the whole world. (Talmud, Shabbat 54b)

Judaism teaches that some mitzvot arise when the opportunity presents itself, such as returning lost property. Other obligations require us to take initiative. Pursuing justice, tzedek, tzedek tirdof ("Justice, justice shall you pursue") is one of them.

In matters involving danger to life, Jewish tradition insists that we act even when success is uncertain. As the Talmud teaches, סָפֵק נְפָשׁוֹת דּוֹחֶה אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת, the possibility of saving a life overrides Shabbat (Yoma 82a). The obligation to respond does not depend on a guaranteed outcome.

In a well-known Talmudic story, Rabbi Shimon hesitated to protest wrongdoing because he feared his words would not be heeded. Rav Zeira rebuked him, insisting that the duty to protest remains, even when the likelihood of success is uncertain.

We know that climate advocacy and lobbying have made a difference. Progress has not always been linear, and there have been setbacks, but collective action has shaped policies, advanced clean energy, and strengthened public awareness. That history makes our responsibility even clearer. The obligation to pursue justice and protect life does not diminish when the path is difficult; it becomes all the more urgent to encourage others to join us in protecting life and pursuing justice.

Learn More

Lobbying for Change: Why Citizens Must Reclaim Their Voice, HEC Paris

Lobbying, Open Government Partnership

It’s Time to Outnumber the Paid Lobbyists, Daily Montanan

Proposed Personal Message to Recruit for Lobby Day

A phone call is best, then a text, but if you can’t reach someone, there’s always an email – or an email to follow up on a message you’ve left.

Dear Friend/Relative,

Protecting our earth is important to me and I know you care about this as well, so I’m inviting you to join me for an inspiring meeting next month with our Senator or Senators’ staff, sponsored by the Jewish Earth Alliance. As you know, I care about [insert your reason here, e.g., the future planet we will leave our children/grandchildren], and I know that you care about this, too.

That’s why I value the Jewish Earth Alliance. The Jewish Earth Alliance focuses on federal legislation and works with other large and small Jewish environmental organizations. They are dedicated to taking action on our Jewish values. Twice a year they arrange zoom meetings with senators’ offices around the country. On July 21, we will meet by zoom with Senators ___ and__ to urge them to vote on laws that have climate solutions. The Jewish Earth Alliance prepares us in advance, and you don’t have to take a speaking role if you don’t want to. Just being a face on the zoom screen strengthens our message!

I hope you’ll join me.

Your friend/relative,

_________

© 2026 Jewish Earth Alliance