Jews of Color Initiative

NY Pro Network: CommUNITY Chats
2025-08-28 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
Join the New York JoC Professional Network for CommUNITY Chats: New York, a TEDx-inspired evening of storytelling, reflection, and shared learning taking place on Thursday, August 28th from 6-8 pm ET.
In this interactive event, volunteer JoC leaders from our New York Professional Network will guide us through a storytelling and skill-building showcase shaped by the guiding question: “How might we build…?”
Each speaker will explore this question through the lens of one of the following themes: Community, Spirituality, Jewish Life, Leadership, Resilience, or Hope—offering insights grounded in their lived experience.
Together, we’ll learn from our community members’ stories and wisdom, and build connections as we reflect on what it means to grow and thrive as a multiracial Jewish community.

2025-2026 Grantmaking Webinar
2025-09-18 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join us on September 18th for an informational webinar to launch our 2025-2026 grantmaking cycle. In this webinar, Program Officer Sarah Starks will discuss this year’s funding opportunity, our grantmaking strategy, and how to apply for grants.

POSTPONED: Bay Area CommUNITY Chats
2025-10-09 18:00 - 20:15 (America/Los_Angeles)
This Bay Area Pro Network event has been postponed. Keep your eye out for emails about our next Bay Area events.
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LA Pro Network: Teshuvah and Change with Jordan Daniels
2025-11-05 18:00 - 20:15 (America/Los_Angeles)
On the heels of the High Holidays, change is still in the air. We’re in the season of harvesting, growth, and new beginnings. What does Jewish wisdom teach us about change? How can the process of Teshuvah lead to powerful growth in our communities and leadership? Join our Assistant Director of Programs, Jordan Daniels, as we harness the themes of the season to expand our capacities for change making within ourselves and for those we serve.

D.C. Pro Network: The Great D.C. Kickoff
2025-11-07 16:30 - 18:30 (America/New_York)
Join the Jews of Color Initiative’s first-ever D.C. JoC Professional Network and discover a new opportunity to cultivate personal and professional relationships, as well as leadership skills, with JoCs in the region.

We’ll use this first session to share and understand visions for this group and dream up what we want to build together.

Registration closes on Tuesday, November 4th at 5pm ET!*

NY Pro Network: A JoC Lens on Identity, Purpose, and Power
2025-11-13 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
Join us for an engaging panel discussion and interactive mini-workshop exploring leadership, identity, purpose, and power through the lens of JoC leadership. Hear from Dr. Imani Chapman, founder and director of imani strategies, Maryam Chisti, Co-Executive Director of LUNAR; and Arya Marvazy, Senior Director of Programming at JoCI, as they share personal stories and leadership journeys. Together, we’ll explore how identity shapes leadership, and how you can harness your own purpose and power to lead with intention and impact.
About the Facilitators:

Dr. Imani Romney-Rosa Chapman, the founder and director of imani strategies, llc, is a powerful, dynamic, faith-filled, compassionate, change leader for equity. She has more than 30 years of experience developing curriculum, organizing, and educating for social justice. As her name suggests, Imani/Emunah [faith], her faith drives her to co-create brave and inclusive environments for learning, growth and justice.
Maryam Chishti is the Co-Executive Director of The LUNAR Collective. She is interfaith, with an Indian/Muslim father and Jewish American mother who raised her in both religions and cultures. Maryam is a graduate of the Ruskay Institute of Jewish Professional Leadership and the Jews of Color Initiative’s inaugural Leadership Fellowship.
Arya Marvazy is the Senior Director of Programs at the Jews of Color Initiative. A proud queer Jew, Arya is deeply committed to empowering diverse Jewish identities, fostering equitable communities, and creating inclusive pathways for a thriving Jewish future. His dedication extends beyond his professional work—he has also served as a lay leader with organizations such as JDC Entwine, JPro, AJC, Schusterman’s ROI community, and more.

JoCI Listening Tour: LOS ANGELES
2025-11-18 17:00 - 18:45 (America/Los_Angeles)
The Jews of Color Initiative’s CEO, Ilana Kaufman, is visiting communities across the country for an interactive Listening Tour to engage in open dialogue with local leaders, grantees, partners, and community members. Through these conversations, JoCI aims to listen deeply, learn from local experiences, and shape the next chapter of our work together.
Join us for dinner and be part of the LA conversation around Jews of Color in the United States on Tuesday, November 18 at IKAR’s mid-city office space (address and parking will be sent to confirmed registrants).
After the event, we invite you to join our team at IKAR for their event with Rabbi Sharon Brous and Jewish Studio Project’s Rabbi Adina Allen for a night of creativity!
Registration closes at 5pm PT on Thursday, November 13th
Learn more about the JoCI Listening Tour.

JoCI Listening Tour: SAN DIEGO
2025-11-20 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
The Jews of Color Initiative’s CEO, Ilana Kaufman, is visiting communities across the country for an interactive Listening Tour to engage in open dialogue with local leaders, grantees, partners, and community members. Through these conversations, JoCI aims to to listen deeply, learn from local experiences, and shape the next chapter of our work together.
Join us and be part of the conversation around Jews of Color in the United States on Thursday, November 20 from 5-6:30PM in San Diego. Location will be shared with confirmed registrants.
Email pr******@*****ci.org to register!
Registration closes 5pm PT on Monday, November 17
Learn more about the Listening Tour

The JoC Bay Area Pro Network Attends Rabbi Angela Buchdahl "Heart of A Stranger"
2025-12-03 17:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join the Bay Area JoC Pro Network community and the JoCI team for a gathering with Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, the first East-Asian American rabbi and first woman congregational leader of Central Synagogue in NYC! We’ll begin with a brief JoC reception before the event at Temple Emanu-El in Presidio Heights to listen to Rabbi Angela discuss her new memoir, “Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi’s Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging,” with Emanu-El’s Senior Rabbi, Ryan Bauer.

The first 20 registrations will receive free tickets to the book discussion, which include’s a copy of the Rabbi’s new book, covered by the JoCI! Additional ticket purchases through our Bay Area Pro Network may use a discount code, which will be provided to confirmed registrants.

JoCI Listening Tour: PORTLAND, OR
2025-12-11 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
The Jews of Color Initiative’s CEO, Ilana Kaufman, is visiting communities across the country for an interactive Listening Tour to engage in open dialogue with local leaders, grantees, partners, and community members. Through these conversations, JoCI aims to to listen deeply, learn from local experiences, and shape the next chapter of our work together.
Join us and be part of the conversation around Jews of Color in the United States on Thursday December 11 from 5-6:30PM in Portland, OR. Location will be shared with confirmed registrants.
Email pr******@*****ci.org to register!
Learn more about the Listening Tour

JoCI Listening Tour: LAS VEGAS
2026-01-16 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
The Jews of Color Initiative’s CEO, Ilana Kaufman, is visiting communities across the country for an interactive Listening Tour to engage in open dialogue with local leaders, grantees, partners, and community members. Through these conversations, JoCI aims to to listen deeply, learn from local experiences, and shape the next chapter of our work together.
Join us and be part of the conversation around Jews of Color in the United States on Friday, January 16 at Temple Sinai Las Vegas from 5-6:30PM. Following this Listening Tour session, you are invited to join the Temple for their MLK Shabbat, featuring Ilana providing a D’var Torah.
Register at bit.ly/JoCI-Vegas or click the Register Now button!
Learn more about the JoCI’s national Listening Tour

JoCI Listening Tour: Denver
2026-02-03 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Tuesday, February 3 | 5:00–6:30 PM MST
Cherry Creek neighborhood (exact location shared with registrants)
Join local community members, leaders, partners, and friends for an interactive evening of conversation, reflection, and shared learning. Your insights will help inform how JoCI continues to support Jews of Color—both in Denver and beyond.
Beverages and sweets provided
Registration closes Thursday, January 29 at 12 PM PT
Register Now

RFP Webinar: JoC Youth: Building the Future You Want to See
2026-02-04 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join the JoCI Grants Team on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 9am PT / 12pm ET for an informational webinar launching our latest request for proposals: JoC Youth: Building the Future You Want to See. This webinar is for organizations and project leaders of any age who have a vision for empowering JoC youth ages 13-25.
Register at bit.ly/JoCYouth-Webinar

JoCI Listening Tour: Tucson
2026-02-05 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, February 5 | 11:00 AM–12:30 PM MST
University of Arizona campus (exact location shared with registrants)
Be part of a dynamic midday gathering centered on dialogue, imagination, and partnership. Together, we’ll explore how JoCI can best serve local and national needs in collaboration with the people and communities we support.
Lunch will be served
Space is limited
Registration closes Friday, January 30 at 12 PM PT
Register Now

JoCI Listening Tour: National Virtual Session
2026-02-11 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join the JoCI for a virtual Listening Tour session—an excellent option for those outside our current tour cities or who have been unable to attend in person. This gathering will offer the same opportunity for reflection, dialogue, and connection from wherever you are. Space is limited, but please note we will host a second virtual session at a later date.
Register Now

LA Pro Network: Black, Jewish, and Building
2026-02-11 17:45 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join the Jews of Color Initiative’s LA Pro Network for Black, Jewish, and Building: Lessons on Intersectional Leadership—an evening centered on the insights, experiences, and leadership practices that emerge from Black-Jewish perspectives as a celebration of Black History Month.This conversation, taking place on February 11, will feature a dialogue between nationally recognized community leaders Kiyomi Kowalski and Nate Looney, moderated by Jordan Daniels, JoCI’s Assistant Director of Programs. Together, they’ll explore what it means to build leadership at the intersection of identity, power, and purpose—and what these lessons can offer our communities today.Please arrive by 5:45 PM; program begins promptly at 6:30.
Register Now

Black Power, Jewish Politics - Bay Area
2026-02-26 05:30 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join the Jews of Color Initiative in the Bay Area for an illuminating evening of dialogue between Ilana Kaufman, CEO of the Jews of Color Initiative, and Dr. Marc Dollinger, author of Black Power, Jewish Politics: Reinventing the Alliance in the 1960s. On February 26, they’ll explore the intersections of Black and Jewish histories, the evolution of multiracial solidarity, and how these stories continue to shape Jewish communal life today. This event now includes a virtual welcome from Congresswoman Lateefah Simon!

Program
– 5:30 – 6:30pm PT: Mingling and generous appetizers
– 6:30 – 8pm PT: Panel conversation and Q&A

Register Now

Shared Struggles, Shared Stories: Black Power, Jewish Politics, and the Fight for Justice - JoCI at 92NY
2026-03-24 19:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York)
Join the Jews of Color Initiative at 92NY for an illuminating evening of dialogue between Ilana Kaufman, CEO of the Jews of Color Initiative, and Dr. Marc Dollinger, author of Black Power, Jewish Politics: Reinventing the Alliance in the 1960s. This session will be moderated by Dr. Susannah Heschel, renowned scholar of Jewish studies and daughter of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. On March 24 at 7:30pm, they’ll explore the intersections of Black and Jewish histories, the evolution of multiracial solidarity, and how these stories continue to shape Jewish communal life today.

Register Now

JoCI Listening Tour: New York
2026-03-25 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join local community members, leaders, partners, and friends in New York for an interactive evening of conversation, reflection, and shared learning. Your insights will help inform how JoCI continues to support Jews of Color—both in New York and beyond.
Park Slope area – exact location will be shared with confirmed registrants
Registration for this event closes March 18th.
Register Now

JoCI Listening Tour: Washington, D.C.
2026-03-26 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York)
Join local community members, leaders, partners, and friends in New York for an interactive evening of conversation, reflection, and shared learning. Your insights will help inform how JoCI continues to support Jews of Color—both in Washington, D.C. and beyond.
Registration for this event closes March 19th.
Register Now

JoCI National Listening Tour: National Virtual
2026-04-22 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
The Jews of Color Initiative’s CEO, Ilana Kaufman, is visiting communities across the country for an interactive Listening Tour to engage in open dialogue with local leaders, grantees, partners, and community members. Through these conversations, JoCI aims to listen deeply, learn from local experiences, and use your wisdom to help inform the next chapter of our work together. Each stop on the Listening Tour will be an opportunity to connect, reflect, and imagine together—exploring how JoCI can best serve local and national needs in partnership with the people we serve as JoCI approaches our 10-year anniversary.

This is your opportunity to join our Listening Tour from anywhere in the country! Join us and be part of the conversation about Jews of Color in the United States on Wednesday, April 22 from 12-1pm PT | 3-4pm ET.

Register Here

JoCI National Listening Tour: San Francisco
2026-04-22 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
The Jews of Color Initiative’s CEO, Ilana Kaufman, is visiting communities across the country for an interactive Listening Tour to engage in open dialogue with local leaders, grantees, partners, and community members. Through these conversations, JoCI aims to listen deeply, learn from local experiences, and use your wisdom to help inform the next chapter of our work together.

Each stop on the Listening Tour will be an opportunity to connect, reflect, and imagine together—exploring how JoCI can best serve local and national needs in partnership with the people we serve as JoCI approaches our 10-year anniversary.

Join us and be part of the conversation about Jews of Color in the United States on Wednesday, April 22 from 5-7PM PST in San Francisco.

Beverages and sweets will be provided for an end of day energizer!

*Registration closes at 12PM PT on Thursday, April 16, 2026*

Register Here

NYC Community-Wide Gathering
2026-04-30 18:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
All are invited to join the JoCI New York Pro Network for a powerful evening of storytelling, connection, and community!
On Thursday, April 30 (6:00–8:30 PM ET), the Jews of Color Initiative will bring together Jews of Color and allies for a multiracial gathering centered on shared stories and lived experiences.
Inspired by the spirit of The Moth, this evening will feature live storytelling—real stories, told without notes—alongside time to connect, network, and share a meal together.
Together, we’ll celebrate the richness of Jewish diversity and the many voices that shape and strengthen our community.
📍 New York City (location will be shared with registrants)
👉 Register now: bit.ly/JoCI-Multiracial-NY

LA Community-Wide Gathering
2026-05-07 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join the Los Angeles JoC Professional Network on Thursday, May 7th for its second multiracial community-wide gathering! This evening will bring together Jews of Color and allies in a multiracial space for connection, powerful storytelling, and network weaving. Together, we’ll celebrate the richness of Jewish diversity and the many stories that shape and strengthen our shared community. There will be mingling and networking, dinner, and special experience around building ritual.
Register Now!

BREAKWEEK: JoCI Office Fully Closed May 15-22
2026-05-15 00:00 - 2026-05-22 23:59 (America/New_York)
The JoCI is honored to have been selected as a BREAKWEEK grantee by R&R: The Rest of our Lives.
This is an opportunity that provides our entire staff with a 1-week organization-wide closure. During this time, to honor the grant’s integrity and our team’s rest, we will not engage in any work or communications as an organization.
Our office will be fully closed May 15, 2026 – May 22, 2026, followed by our Memorial Day closure on May 25, 2026.
Learn more about BREAKWEEK here: http://www.restofourlives.org/breakweek

LA JoC Pro Network at L'Chaim America!
2026-06-07 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join the JoCI’s LA Pro Network over brunch for conversation to share our stories and reflect on how our backgrounds have shaped the ways we move through community, culture, and life in America.
This session, facilitated by our Assistant Director of Programs, Jordan Daniels, will offer an afternoon of thoughtful dialogue, listening, and connection as we explore how our identities intersect personally and communally in Los Angeles—and how we each contribute to building a more expansive future for us all. Following our JoCI gathering, we will attend L’Chaim America! hosted by The Braid.
Register Now.

JoCI National Listening Tour: Detroit
2026-06-25 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
The JoCI is bringing the National Listening Tour to Detroit on June 25th! Join our CEO Ilana Kaufman in a gathering with communal leaders, scholars, clergy, and community members, the tour will spark dialogue about local needs, opportunities, and visions for the future. Insights from these conversations will help shape regional and national strategies to uplift Jews of Color and strengthen Jewish life.
The Listening Tour is both a moment to learn from the wisdom of communities and a catalyst for new ideas, collaborations, and possibilities, laying the groundwork for a more vibrant Jewish future as JoCI approaches our 10-year anniversary.
REGISTER NOW

JoCI National Listening Tour: Chicago
2026-06-28 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
The JoCI is bringing the National Listening Tour to Chicago on June 28th for a special brunch experience! Join our CEO Ilana Kaufman in a gathering with communal leaders, scholars, clergy, and community members, the tour will spark dialogue about local needs, opportunities, and visions for the future. Insights from these conversations will help shape regional and national strategies to uplift Jews of Color and strengthen Jewish life.
The Listening Tour is both a moment to learn from the wisdom of communities and a catalyst for new ideas, collaborations, and possibilities, laying the groundwork for a more vibrant Jewish future as JoCI approaches our 10-year anniversary.
REGISTER NOW
