By Rachel Jacobson, Lead Researcher, State Climate Policy
Summer is my favorite season. I love swimming outdoors, the freedom of running around in shorts and a t-shirt, and the abundance of daylight for outdoor activities. And so, I have always struggled with the Three Weeks —a jarring interruption placing limits on my favorite time of year.
The Three Weeks (July 2-23 this year) span two dates – the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av– on which we commemorate several historical Jewish tragedies, including the destruction of both temples in Jerusalem. Traditionally, we refrain from weddings and music throughout this period, adding more intensive mourning practices during the final nine days. In the midst of summer joy, it can feel like an unwelcome imposition. Couldn’t our tragedies have happened in winter, when sad is my baseline?
But that question reflects my positionality. I experience summer joyfully in part because I live in the Great Lakes, where it is marked by ease and abundance. But in many places, summer has long brought drought, fire, hurricanes, and extreme heat—dangers that have intensified with climate change. While our region does experience threats such as flooding and wildfire smoke, we carry significant climate privilege, especially those of us with stable, climate-controlled housing outside the floodplain.
Recognizing this allows us to reframe the Three Weeks. If we have only known one climate, one rhythm of comfort and hardship, it can be difficult to access others’ experiences across time and place. Jewish ritual insists we try—not only to remember, but to respond. When we observe Tisha B’Av, we practice sitting with loss—and build the capacity to let that discomfort move us toward action. When we pray for Jerusalem to be rebuilt, we position ourselves as God’s partners in bringing more wholeness into the world.
Engaging beyond our own climate experiences can similarly move us from awareness to action— expanding our sense of obligation and deepening our care for neighbors near and far. This can mean advocating for policy change, preparing our communities, checking on those at risk, and welcoming new neighbors seeking relative climate safety.
As we enter the Three Weeks, may we expand our perspective, deepen our empathy, and translate awareness into sustained, collective action.