What are our shared resources?

Read the following for context: Learning about climate change and its impact on the way we live now and in the future can often feel overwhelming and disempowering. More severe weather events, once habitable places becoming uninhabitable, disruptions to our food and energy systems - all of this can bring up feelings of fear and scarcity, and it is natural for a certain tension to arise between acting in the best interest of yourself and your innermost circle – being entirely independent - and supporting and being part of the wider community – interdependent.

Read for context: Jewish tradition has a lot of wisdom and insight to inform how we design our communities and our social structures, and one theme that is consistent throughout is that we must ensure that the needs of all people, especially the most vulnerable, are met. We learn through the vast laws of Tzedakah that in times of social and economic challenges, it is through community ties and shared resources that we can collectively thrive. Community, while an intangible idea, is something that we feel and experience on a consistent basis. It signifies a group of people who follow a particular way of life or patterns of behavior which bind them. Community often rests upon shared values, constructs and – as we will see in our exploration below – both tangible and intangible resources.  

A "GEMACH": Facilitator reads the following: Using the Jewish concept of "a gemach" can help deepen our understanding of shared resources within a community. A Gemach is a communal institution that helps ensure that everyone’s needs are met. The word derives from the Hebrew words "gemilut chasadim," which mean "acts of loving-kindness." Gemachs are interest-free loan funds or places that lend things to others within the community.

Scan the QR code or use this handout to learn more about the concept of the Gemach. Have participants in pairs read this for background and context, then consider the prompts below:

Facilitator prompts the group: Before we engage in the activity below, think back to the Covid-19 pandemic as a way of testing what you learned about your independence v. your interdependence.

• Were there things you could not do on your own, but needed to rely upon the assistance of others? What were they?
• Were there things – both tangible (items) and intangible (skills) that you were able to uniquely contribute to others? What were they?

Asset Mapping: Let’s connect the discussion above back to the specifics of climate change:

• Each person take 3 minutes to write down your own “assets.” • What skills and knowledge are you bringing that you think are essential with regard to climate change and natural disasters ? • What gaps exist that you would need to meet from others? Encourage participants to think broadly-not just about the bare essentials to survive - we want to thrive! So skills such as making music or art, telling stories, etc. are all valuable!
• Each person finds a partner and compares lists. Then each pair finds another pair and compares lists. Do this one more time. (might need to modify depending on how many participants you have).
• Once you have a group of 6-8 people, have each group generate a list on a poster sheet under the columns of “independent” and “interdependent.” Under independent include their combined assets. Under “interdependent” make a list what key skills, knowledge, or resources they are lacking.

Facilitator reads: Now that we’ve had a chance to learn about the gemach and reflect on our own resources, we can put this new knowledge into action and begin to build more mutual support networks within our communities. Facilitator prompts the group:

• Research gemachs in your community. Start with looking up actual gemachs that exist within the Jewish community. Then expand your search to include other types of mutual aid networks, such as community fridges, free rideshare programs, and food pantries.
• Recruit 2-3 people to do a similar asset mapping activity, and identify a surplus resource that you can begin to offer as a “gemach.”
• Consider the following questions: • Who might benefit the most from this resource you can offer? • Who will you prioritize sharing this resource with? Why? • How can you ensure that you will share this resource with dignity and respect? • What are some immediate steps we can take to try this out? • What support might we need from others?
• Begin to spread the word about this new gemach that you are launching. If that feels like too big of a commitment, start by joining an existing mutual aid network and offer your time and energy.

Through this exercise, we’ve explored the questions that naturally arise for people in moments of crisis - how should I spend my limited time, energy, and resources, and who should I prioritize helping? What even are the things that I am fully equipped to do – places where I am independent – and where do I need others – where am I interdependent? We’ve looked to the Jewish practice of the gemach as a model for mutual aid and community resourcefulness, and we’ve reflected on the skills, knowledge, and resources that we as individuals may be able to offer the wider community. Confronting the climate crisis has many different components and can often feel overwhelming and disempowering. Through this activity, we hope you have gained more insight into what assets you are carrying with you and can share, and how you can and will likely need to rely on others within your community as well. Facilitator prompts the group:

• After today’s exploration, I now think that if I have _________ I should ____________.

Through this exercise, we’ve explored the questions that naturally arise for people in moments of crisis – how should I spend my limited time, energy, and resources, and who should I prioritize helping? What even are the things that I am fully equipped to do – places where I am independent – and where do I need others – where am I interdependent? We’ve looked to the Jewish practice of the gemach as a model for mutual aid and community resourcefulness, and we’ve reflected on the skills, knowledge, and resources that we as individuals may be able to offer the wider community. Confronting the climate crisis has many different components and can often feel overwhelming and disempowering. Through this activity, we hope you have gained more insight into what assets you are carrying with you and can share, and how you can and will likely need to rely on others within your community as well.

Facilitator prompts the group:

• After today’s exploration, I now think that if I have _________ I should ____________.