Current Campaign
Climate Tzedek: Building our Power to Achieve Just, Science-Based Solutions to the Climate Crisis
As Californians, we know climate change is already here. To create the big shifts that will heal our relationships with the planet and with each other, we need to build a movement. Through RAC-CA's Climate Tzedek Campaign, we will build our power and voice as the statewide network of Reform congregations, working with partners, to achieve equitable, science-based solutions to the climate crisis and strengthen our communities as we do it.
Get Involved
RAC-CA Regional Gatherings
Members of all URJ congregations in California are invited to your local RAC-CA Regional Gathering. Come to:
- Learn about the current state of California's climate response, RAC-CA's Climate Tzedek campaign, and specific legislation we are considering;
- Learn skills to build an impactful statewide and local campaign;
- Participate in inspiring Jewish learning;
- Share best practices for social justice organizing in our communities;
- Make new connections and enjoy a delicious lunch!
Register below to participate in an in-person RAC-CA Regional Gathering with members of your congregation and others in your area to learn about and participate in the campaign. For more information, contact Rabbi Julie Saxe-Taller.
RAC-CA Sacramento/Davis Regional Gathering - Sunday, Feb. 5, 1:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m. at B'nai Israel, Sacramento
RAC-CA San Diego/Orange County Regional Gathering - Sunday, March 12, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth Israel in San Diego. Please come at 10 am for coffee and bagels and shmoozing. Our program will begin promptly at 10:30 am.
RAC-CA Extended Bay Area Regional Gathering - Sunday, March 19, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Sherith Israel, San Francisco. Please come at 10 am for coffee and bagels and shmoozing. Our program will begin promptly at 10:30 am.
RAC-CA Los Angeles Regional Gathering - Sunday, March 26, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Temple Israel of Hollywood. Please come at 10 am for coffee and bagels and shmoozing. Our program will begin promptly at 10:30 am.
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 2021 Legislative Agenda
RAC-CA leaders helped to pass SB 62, the Garment Workers Protection Act, to expand wage theft liability and hold retailers responsible to pay minimum wage and create safe working conditions for garment workers, who are primarily immigrant women.
RAC-CA lobbied our legislators in 2021 to pass SB 731 (Time Done) life-changing legislation to address the hundreds of barriers to reintegration faced by people who have paid their debt to society by creating a mechanism to seal arrest and conviction records after a person has fully completed their sentence, parole and additional time without conviction. This bill faced challenging opposition but has finally passed and been signed into law!
RAC-CA joined the VISION Coalition to press CalGEM, the state oil and gas drilling regulator, to require buffer zones between drilling sites and homes, schools and other places where people are impacted by toxic emissions from drilling. Our Hanukkah action brought us together to contrast the miracle of a small amount of oil symbolizing our freedom with the damaging effects of the long practice of drilling for oil in our own time and place. This campaign has won a proposed buffer zone and is ongoing.
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 Rabbi Julie Saxe-Taller to learn more and get involved.
- Join our group in the Tent.
- You can support 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.
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Learn More and Get Involved
Governance of RAC-CA
RAC-CA seeks to build our collective power to create the California of our dreams. Our structure includes professional staff, a statewide leadership team, issue research groups, and congregational social justice teams.
Issue Research Teams
The RAC-CA Research Team looks into upcoming campaigns, including legislation on climate change, criminal justice, immigration, health care, housing, and gun violence prevention and more. Comprised of leaders from our congregations across California, this team seeks bills and ballot measures to set our legislative agenda and mobilize congregational social justice teams behind our priority campaigns. The RAC-CA Campaign Team guides the work of the statewide campaign, leading trainings and mobilizing congregations to work with our partners to build and advance our campaigns.