Don't be a bystander.

Join in making a commitment to personal change.

Do your part to slow climate change and environmental destruction and to save the planet Earth.

Research shows that in an emergency, the more people there are around, the less likely anyone is to help. However, when one person inititates the helping process, everyone is likely to jump in and do their part. This is called the "bystander effect." At this time in our history, the emergency is related not to a person, but to a planet. If you or I were alone, would we be more likely to act? Would we do more than we are doing? You can read more about the bystander effect and why we need to all to stop being bystanders in two wonderful articles in Orion Magazine, Snap into Action for the Climate, by Mike Tidwell, and How to Be a Climate Hero, by Audrey Schulman. I recently wrote a D'var Torah on the subject, which is online at the Academy for Jewish Religion Web site. Quoting myself:

"We need to stop being bystanders. We need jump in and start the ball rolling, in our homes, our communities, and our nation. We need to ask ourselves, "What one additional change to my habits can I make to help preserve our endangered planet? What can I commit to this month, and next month, and the month after that may help ensure that the marsh marigolds will bloom in future decades, and that our grandchildren will be there to see them? What can I do to make sure that our future is filled with blessings, and not with curses?" It is up to me, and it is up to you. Each of us needs to be Moses. It is the only way we can save our endangered planet."

And so, I have set up this Guest Book on the Ma'yan Tikvah web site as a place for us to record our commitment for this month, and every month. What one new action will you take this month? Record your commitment to the Earth in the box at the bottom, and check back in next month with a new commitment. You can get ideas from other people, and support, and commitment. You can change yourself from bystander to helper, one month at a time. You can also pass the link to this Web site along to others, and ask them to make their commitment here as well.

One step at a time, one person at a time, one month at a time, we can change our ways and help to preserve the planet Earth.

Thank you for your participation.

Rabbi Katy Z. Allen