Grantee feature Archives - Page 4 of 5 - Jews of Color Initiative

“A Little Bit of Me at the Shabbat Table”: Bringing Whole Identities to the Shabbat Table

February 03, 2022

The saying goes, “More than Jews have kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept the Jews.” Although many Jews do not have a weekly Shabbat observance, there is something special about the weekly rhythm of Shabbat. Maya Katz Ali, a JoC leader at OneTable, believes Shabbat has the power to be what you make it. She supports other Jews of Color in developing and hosting Shabbat dinners that reflect their full selves.

“Liberation is a journey, not a destination”: The Black Jewish Liberation Collective, Freedom, Black Joy, and Movement-Building

January 06, 2022

BJLC’s vision prioritizes generating Black joy through Black Jewish theology and political organizing. Embedded in this vision is a dedication to build up the role of Black Jewish organizing among the Black liberation movement, aligning Black movement organizers with one another.

How “The Workshop” is Expanding American Jewish Arts and Culture

December 06, 2021

“I want to see more examples in media, on stages, both commercial and non-commercial, of JOCISM folks being able to take up their full identities and tell their stories.” Though Pinkney doesn’t want to force the artists to create works that are about their identities, he believes that the work that will emerge will diversify who we think of as a Jew.

Weaving Networks: How Dr. Bianca González-Lesser is Building Connections Among Jews of Color at Hillel International

November 15, 2021

Hillel is looking to expand their reach to the Jews of Color community, recognizing that Jews of Color are more highly represented among young adult Jews, their target population at their 500 university campus locations.

“A Breath of Fresh Air”: The Impact of a Youth Group for Diverse Jews

November 14, 2021

Ray Williams just finished their freshman year in high school, but their vision for Jewish leadership is one that reflects experiences of Jews of Color across generations.

How a Virtual Gathering Became a Homecoming for Jews of Color

November 14, 2021

Dr. Harriette Wimms is ready to continue her journey as a leader in the community and believes authentic human connection is a driving force for progress.

Opportunities for Change: How Executive Director Stacey Aviva Flint is Re-envisioning Her Synagogue

November 14, 2021

Stacey Aviva Flint knows that Jews of Color lack communal leaders in which they can see themselves reflected. As Bonai Shalom’s Executive Director, she hopes that she can be a role model for Jew of Color interested in a similar career field.

“I get to sit in a room where it’s happening”: How Paula Pretlow is Cultivating Justice in Philanthropy

November 14, 2021

As the first Black Jew or Jew of Color to serve on the 5-person board of the Weinberg Foundation, Pretlow has catalyzed discussions and actions around investment in racial equity in philanthropy in the Jewish community.

Under New Leadership, the Queer Mikveh Project is Creating Liberatory Space for Queer Jews of Color

November 14, 2021

Queer Mikveh Project wants all humans to feel sacred, and their new JoC leaders are expanding on the mission of QMP to create inclusive spaces for engaging in traditional ritual.

Creating the Media They Want to See: The New Film Project by and for Asian-American Jews

November 14, 2021

Questioning the Jewishness of Jews of Color or holding higher standards for observance or belief is a common barrier to Jews of Color feeling a full sense of belonging in Jewish communities, despite the high levels of atheism and secularism in the broader U.S. Jewish community.