Current Campaign
In partnership with Dayenu, RAC-CA is campaigning on the referendum to keep SB1137, which protects residential neighborhoods from oil & gas wells and oil drills. California voters will decide whether to keep SB 1137 or overturn the law when they vote in the November 2024 election. We will be campaigning to KEEP THE LAW and ensure California neighborhoods are free from neighborhood drilling.
The 2024 RAC-CA Campaign on Neighborhood Drilling Referendum
In 2022, RAC-CA and Dayenu successfully rallied as part of a coalition to secure the passage of SB 1137, which prohibits new oil and gas wells as well as reinforces safety standards for existing oil wells within 3,200 ft of homes, schools, hospitals, and other sensitive locations. The Oil and Gas industry wants to use its immense wealth and power to overturn this law and protect its profits. Through deceptive practices, $20 million and an army of paid signature gatherers, the Oil and Gas Industry put a challenge to this law on the November Ballot. They will continue to use their wealth to spread falsehoods, attempting to convince voters to overturn the law.
This year, RAC-CA will work alongside Dayenu and other coalition partners to reach out to tens of thousands of voters to educate them about this referendum and to inoculate them against the misinformation from the oil and gas industry. The industry has already started efforts to spread misinformation and encourage voters to overturn the law. Keeping oil and gas wells next to locations where people live and congregate is harmful to public health and the environment. Right now, polling shows that 71% of California voters want to keep the law that protects residential neighborhoods from oil wells and drilling. By reaching out to voters and mobilizing our congregations, we will work tirelessly to ensure Californians keep the law and protect our neighborhoods from future neighborhood drilling.
Here is what you can do to join this campaign to protect residential neighborhoods from oil wells.
- Register for one of our in-person campaign launches:
- Southern California, May 5, 1-4 pm at Temple Israel of Hollywood. Register now.
- Northern California, May 19, 1-4 pm at Urban Adamah. Register now.
- Sign up to become involved in the campaign, and someone will reach out to you.
For More Information on the campaign
- RAC-CA & Dayenu Campaign Fact Sheet
- Map of Oil Wells in CA
- A calendar showing which campaign actions will take place each month
- Public Health Fact Sheet on the referendum, prepared by the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California, the larger coalition RAC-CA and Dayenu are a part of
Get Involved
Scroll down to register for RAC-CA emails with opportunities to take action with us.
Our tradition teaches that we cannot just sit by while extreme weather events and other climate impacts multiply – we must move into action. Climate Tzedek is our statewide campaign to address climate change with Reform Jews and our partners. On August 27, RAC-CA members gathered to talk with constituents in South Sacramento to build and show support for AB 421 in their district. This bill will improve the language and transparency in California's referendum process and help us defeat the referendum attempting to overturn the hard-won ban on neighborhood drilling for oil and gas.
Here are some of the video statements we made!
June 12 Climate Tzedek Campaign Update
Our Campaign update includes a report on the bills we're been supporting and our ACTION PLANS for SUMMER 2023.
Climate Tzedek Action Webinar Recording
Our tradition teaches that we cannot just sit by while extreme weather events and other climate impacts multiply – we must move into action. Climate Tzedek is our statewide campaign to address climate change with Reform Jews and our partners.
High Holy Days 5783/2022 Climate Texts and Sermons
High Holidays/Fall 5783/2022 Sermon Guidance
A Climate Reading of the Unetaneh Tokef
Climate Al Chet, Maggid Eli Andrew Ramer, Congregation Sha'ar Zahav, San Francisco
Sermons from 5783-2022/23
Our Recent Work
RAC-CA has worked in coalition across lines of race, class, and Fath to help pass many pass many new laws. Here are some of our victories, where RAC-CA worked in coalition to helped pass:
- AB 421 in 2023 reforming the CA veto referendum process to make it more transparent
- SB 62 the Garment Workers Protection Act in 2021 to ensure retailers pay minimum wage and create safe working conditions for garment workers who are primarily immigrant women.
- AB 133 in 2021 expanding Medi-Cal eligibility regardless of immigration status for Californians. Today, immigrants of all ages who meet the income requirements are eligible for Medi-Cal.
- A budget measure in 2019 that tripled funding for local gun violence prevention programs in California communities most affected by gun violence.
- SB-100 The 100% Clean Energy Act in 2018 mandated clean and carbon-free energy in California by 2045.
- Proposition 1 Affordable and Veterans' Housing Bond in 2018 authorized $4 billion for affordable housing.
- Proposition 57 in 2016 provided incentives for rehabilitation, created a path to early parole for nonviolent offenders and decreased the number of minor offenders charged as adults.
- AB-953 in 2015 tracks racial profiling by law enforcement.
- AB-4 The Trust Act in 2013 and SB-54 The California Values Act in 2017, which protected undocumented immigrants by limiting law enforcement and prison cooperation with federal deportation authorities.
Additional RAC-CA Victories
In 2019, RAC-CA set gun violence prevention and housing as our two top issues. With help from Reform communities across the state, RAC-CA helped triple funding for local gun violence prevention programs in California communities most affected by gun violence. We also backed a package of housing and homeless bills that will help build new affordable housing, protect tenants, and remove barriers for housing production.
Contact and support our team
- Contact Lee Winkelman to learn more and get involved.
- Follow our Facebook Page and join our Group!
- Sign up to become involved in the referendum campaign to protect residential neighborhoods from drilling.
- You can donate to this critical organizing work in California online.
Donate to RAC-CA
Support the work of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism's RAC-CA.
RAC-CA Email Updates
Learn more about the RAC's key issues and get involved by signing up for the RAC-CA newsletters.