(interview has been edited for brevity)
Welcome Jessi. We’d love to get to know you and what inspires you to write the calls to action in the Pre-Shabbat Climate Action message each week.
First, please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a professional musician and the mother of two teen-age boys who are avid baseball players. As a musician, I’m a long-time violist with Daedalus Quartet and I freelance, teach and perform throughout the United States. I’m also a Dayenu Circle leader and member of the JCAN NYC Steering Committee.
Wow. What else would you like the readers to know about you?
I am passionate about climate activism and really stumbled my way into the work which is probably true for so many. It can feel intimidating at the beginning, but you really don’t have to know anything. The key is to just start and figure it out from there. There are many people who will help you to learn along the way.
How do you prepare for the weekly Pre-Shabbat Climate Action message?
I try to keep tabs on what’s going on, especially at the state level and where there are possible areas for Pre-Shabbat Cilmate Action readers to plug in by clicking and emailing. People have such busy lives, I look for actions that are meaningful and fit our weekly schedule. Sometimes I add an extra that’s a little more involved, like going to a rally.
Why did JCAN NYC start Pre-Shabbat Climate Action?
We want to encourage New York Jews to make action a habit and regular, restorative part of the week, not so different from Shabbat. No need to be an expert. I see it as part of my job to explain that consistent, sustained, week-after-week support is critical to our success. That’s how we got the Governor to sign the recent 100-foot repeal bill limiting new gas infrastructure.
What gives you the most satisfaction in your climate work?
Of course, it’s great when we get a win! I also feel a sense of tikkun olam and that we all play a part. While we can’t always get the outcome that we hope for, that doesn’t mean that our actions haven’t had impact, they set the stage for the future. Hope is an action, not a state of being. When we take action, we’re creating hope.
Note: JCAN NYC’s weekly Pre-Shabbat Climate Action, a brief email sent every Thursday that prompts readers to take a simple but meaningful action on climate and inspires them with a short reflection grounded in Jewish thought and practice. If you’re not a subscriber to Pre-Shabbat Action, please consider signing up now.