Few communities know better than our South District congregations that the economic and environmental impacts of the BP oil spill disaster are far from over. As public and political attention moves onto a new crisis in the New Year, it is ever more important that we as Jews continue to engage with Gulf Coast restoration and renewal. The Religious Action Center, our Washington, D.C. office, is proud to be leading a coalition of nearly 20 national faith groups in the After the Spill: Religious Communities Restoring the Gulf campaign – and we want you and your congregation to be involved!

The campaign’s multimedia website empowers people of faith to engage in restoration activities and partnerships with Gulf Coast communities, and features stories of Gulf residents and faith leaders engaged in response efforts. We offer the “Top 5 Ways to Engage in Gulf Coast Restoration,” additional resources for worship and programming and a listserv to keep you informed on ways to get involved.

Learn more: Check out the press release from Religious Action Center Director Rabbi David Saperstein, and our recent op-ed in the Huffington Post on the religious mandate to restore the Gulf. Visit the After the Spill webpage for news and resources, advocacy opportunities and more and sign up to stay informed and learn what you can do to help. For more information, contact Sustainability Program Coordinator Rachel Cohen at 202.387.2800. We look forward to working with you to restore the Gulf Coast in the New Year.