When Veronica Andersen first walked into a Jews of Color Initiative Pro Network gathering in Los Angeles, she felt an immediate sense of recognition and belonging. Over the last couple of years, Andersen has drawn strength from the Pro Net community, deepening her connection to Judaism after the isolating years of the pandemic and the passing of her mother. The LA Pro Net became more than just a social space—it was a catalyst for spiritual reconnection and a path toward leadership in Jewish life.
Building Belonging Through Community Care
By offering numerous professional development opportunities, the Pro Network elevated Andersen’s professional skills and opened the door to many meaningful, enduring friendships. After attending LA Pro Network events, Andersen joined the Network’s WhatsApp chat, which strengthened connections among the tight-knit community—a community that shares resources and rallies around one another in moments of need.
Recently, when her grandmother and aunt lost their homes in the Eaton fires, Andersen immediately turned to Shonda Isom Walkowitz, founder of Challah & Soul, who, through the Pro Network, had become Andersen’s close friend. Walkowitz mobilized the community to gather resources and support for Andersen’s family. “It moved me to tears that I have this family that jumps in and says ‘what do you need? How can we help?’” Andersen recalled. “There is this whole community of Jews of Color who do stuff like this—who rally around to collect gift cards, clothes, shoes, food, resources, and really step up. It was magical to see.”
That experience reflected what Andersen continues to value most about the Pro Network: the power of showing up for each other, whether in times of crisis or joy.
Returning to Jewish Life With Confidence
Before finding JoCI, Andersen had struggled to feel at home in her Jewish community. Returning to synagogue after the pandemic, she once again encountered the all-too-familiar questions: How are you Jewish? Why are you here? Instead of retreating, she searched online for new ways to connect. “I found JoCI and a couple of other organizations through social media. When I saw JoCI was hosting events, I thought, maybe this is my ‘in’ to getting back to the Jewish community.”
Her first Pro Network event changed everything. “I found my home. I found my people. And I was given this boost of confidence to go back into my Jewish space and be more active. So I joined a committee for Jewish equity, diversity, and inclusion to make our synagogue more inclusive.”
That committee work opened new doors. Not long after, Andersen was invited to join the synagogue’s Board. Unsure whether to accept, she immediately turned to Walkowitz. “Shonda was the first person I called when I got the invitation to join the Board. I hadn’t even decided if I wanted to do it or not and she was like ‘Yes, you’re going to be on it! We need your perspective! We need you there!’ So with her encouragement, I said yes!”
Andersen credits the Pro Network with giving her the confidence to step into leadership in Jewish life. “I definitely would not be on my Board if I didn’t have the support of JoCI and the Pro Network, because while we’re all having a really good time [at Pro Net events] and it feels fun and social, we’re also building networks and there’s usually a presentation or workshop to give you the tools to go back to your respective communities and build on them. I still catch myself bringing up things I learned at a Pro Net event over a year ago and I’m bringing them to a board meeting or I’m bringing them to a lunch-and-learn event. I definitely attribute this shift from just being a quiet observer to being in a leadership role to JoCI…It’s also led me to a deeper sense of spirituality and it’s been beautiful.”
Modeling Leadership for the Next Generation
Today, Andersen embraces her role as a Jewish leader, deeply aware of what her presence means for others. “I’m watching young multiracial couples bring their kids to my synagogue and I want their kids to see me because I need them to know, ‘you can grow up and do this, too. You very much have a place here. You are our future. Don’t let anybody tell you different.’”
The ripple effects are already visible. At a bat mitzvah for a Latino family she had not previously seen at synagogue, Andersen’s presence made an impact. “[The mother] said that she saw me there and thought, ‘maybe we’re not totally outliers. Maybe we should try again and come back.’ So she and her daughter started coming more and we’ve formed our own little mini-coalition of Jews of Color!” Andersen shared with excitement. “That’s the power of showing up. In the future, I want to see that showing up is not a revolutionary act anymore. I want the inclusion of different cultures and ways of practicing to be the norm.”
Her leadership at the synagogue continues to expand. Andersen organizes a book club exploring diverse Jewish identities, including coordinating an event featuring author Ruth Behar for a conversation about Jews in Cuba and Mexico. Andersen’s contributions are strengthening her synagogue and creating new entry points for others to connect with multiracial Jewish life.
A Metamorphosis in Jewish Leadership
Andersen’s growth has not gone unnoticed. “A couple of weeks ago, a chaplain from my synagogue pulled me aside after kiddush lunch and said, ‘you’ve blossomed into somebody totally different and I love to see this metamorphosis. I love seeing this. You are a new person and I’m here for it. I’m watching you change into this magnificent person and I want to know how I can help you on that road and how I can be on that road with you.’ That was powerful.”
For Andersen, the journey from grief and disconnection to confidence and leadership has been shaped in large part by the Pro Network. “I can’t thank [JoCI] enough. Who I was a year ago and who I am now—I directly attribute that to this Network.”
Through the Pro Network, Andersen found belonging in Jewish life, built lasting friendships, and discovered her voice as a leader. Her story is a testament to the power of creating spaces where Jews of Color can connect, support one another, and step into leadership—transforming not only their own lives, but also the Jewish communities they help shape.