Oil together now

These days Jews can’t seem to agree on much, so it’s noteworthy when an effort attracts a cross-section of community leaders and organizations.

A broad range of Jewish groups have signed on to dontfundterror.org, a call to end U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

The effort urges Congress to make “energy security policy and climate change national priorities.” In a petition intended for senators, it describes how Iran is emboldened by its oil riches, as are “odious” foreign regimes.

“Our addiction to foreign oil drives up prices worldwide, pouring funds into the coffers of foreign regimes that hold anti-American and anti-Israel sentiments, support terrorists, and threaten America’s and Israel’s national security,” said the full-page advertisement that appeared last Friday in The New York Times.

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Among those signing the ad were the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, all the major religious streams, and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. Also joining in were the Coalition on Environment and Jewish Life, the Jewish Federations of North America, and the National Council of Jewish Women.

The groups come from different backgrounds and with different agendas — some stress the environmental benefits of clean energy, others emphasize the threat to Israel from oil-rich despots.

But all find common ground in urging a comprehensive energy strategy, one that “takes on the destabilizing effects of fossil fuel dependence and global climate change.”

To sign the petition or find out more, go to the website or send an e-mail to info@dontfundterror.org.