Get Involved 

The Big Bold Jewish Climate Fest is a collaboration among many organizations across the Jewish landscape designed to move us all toward greater awareness and action on the climate crisis.  We believe that together we can make great things happen, engage thousands of people, and make climate change a central moral issue of the Jewish community.

We invite you to contribute to this collaborative vision, which might include planning and presenting a session, helping to shape collaborations, and/or inviting your networks to participate.  Contribute your current Tu BiShvat event to widen the tent, or save yourself the effort of planning and invite your community to join the Festival!

Want to volunteer to help make the festival a reality? We are looking for a few talented folks in production, partner liaisons, and marketing/social media. Interest? Reach out to Festival@JewishClimateFest.org

Submit Your Idea

The festival invited proposals for sessions and gatherings that are organized and produced by the community in alignment with the goals and values of the festival, and this submission process is now closed. If you are interested in submitting proposals after the deadline of 12/27/20, you may do so but it will only be considered after other proposals are reviewed and the schedule is made. Programs can have a local focus (local issues, local experts, city council members, etc,) or have broad/national appeal. You may propose an activity, learning, or event for a small group, large audience, or specific community - all ideas are welcome.

We encourage you to:

  • Read and develop your ideas in alignment with the Festival values and goals.

  • Think creatively about modalities beyond “talking heads on Zoom” (though we recognize this will make up a number of festival sessions too).  While we expect most programs to be live and online, we will consider pre-recorded/pre-produced content (either scheduled or that can be viewed anytime), and in-person events that have thoughtful COVID precautions (such as local tree plantings).

  • Consider who you might collaborate with to make a rich, meaningful and dynamic offering.  While we hope programs will have some Jewish element, collaboration with experts in the field and other organizations which aren’t Jewish-affiliated are welcome.

  • Consider focusing on specific issues where you can bring expertise and value, for example: Policy & Law; Food, Agriculture & Land Use; Energy & Efficiency; Transportation; Arts & Culture;  Equity & Justice; Jewish Learning; and Tu BiShvat.

  • Think about your intended audience, and design for them.  (e.g. Young adults/college students, BIPOC, leaders of Jewish organizations, Jews in the business community, Jewish educators, etc.) 

  • Be action oriented.  What can participants do during or following your event to make a difference? 

 

Timeline and Logistics

Proposals will be accepted through December 27th at which point a planning committee will curate a thoughtful and balanced schedule to complement additional keynote events being planned.  (Should we receive multiple high quality proposals on related topics, we may give you the option of working together on a single session.). We will accept late proposals but they may not be able to be worked into the schedule.

Speakers will be notified no later than January 8th on the status of their proposals and will need to reaffirm their commitment to the content and scheduled day/time by January 12th, along with bios and headshots of speakers/guests/leaders involved with the session.

Registrations will take place through the Festival website. In the case that your event is also cross promoted through another organization (e.g. by a synagogue to its membership) we are happy to discuss the logistics with you.

As a partner in this Festival, we hope you’ll promote your event and the Festival overall through your own networks!  We ask that all sessions be recorded whenever possible, and that the link to the recording, YouTube or Vimeo be shared for the Festival archive.

Looking for ideas? Examples of programs could include:

  • Gather a specific group together to take a deep dive on a topic (e.g. youth group leaders who want to share ideas on how to mobilize their youth groups on this issue).

  • Facilitate a discussion among a group with experience in a specific area (e.g. Capital campaign chairs who build “green” buildings).

  • Tap local leaders for a local or regional event (e.g. City Council members discussing policy and the role of the City Council).

  • Coordinate a COVID-safe local action event, perhaps in collaboration with local orgs (e.g. a beach clean up with Surfrider Foundation, a tree planting or an electric car test drive).

  • Design an activity specifically for Tu BiShvat -- such as an online seder or hike or planting -- with a focus on climate awareness and action.

  • Partner with a local environmental group to advocate for climate action in your local community. We can help forge these alliances if you need local connections! 

Questions? Feel free to be in touch at Festival@JewishClimateFest.org