The Jews of Color Initiative (JoCI) is proud to announce our latest round of grantmaking, supporting projects that strengthen Jewish leadership, preserve cultural narratives, and expand opportunities for Jews of Color across the United States. These initiatives highlight the creativity, resilience, and wisdom of JoC leaders and communities, fostering connection, belonging, and impact for generations to come.
Ammud: Jews of Color Torah Academy
Since 2019, Ammud has empowered Jews of Color by fostering safe, inclusive spaces to fully engage with Jewish learning and Torah. JoCI funding will support the growth and development of Ammud’s infrastructure and organizational capacity as they implement their new three-year strategic plan, which centers three core pillars: Community-Centered Torah Learning, JOC Educator Support, and Amplifying Jewish Wisdom.
HBCJews Research Project
Fiscally sponsored by Beloved Builders, Inc.
The HBCJews Research Project seeks to illuminate the history and experiences of Black Jewish students, alumni, faculty, and staff on Historically Black College & University (HBCU) campuses. Through one-on-one interviews and surveys, researcher Rebecca Franklin will produce a qualitative report that addresses the existing gap in knowledge and understanding of Black Jewish life within HBCU communities.
Jewish Learning Venture: JoC Leadership Initiative
Through the JoC Leadership Initiative, individuals who inspire and guide their families will strengthen their Jewish leadership skills and address the unique needs of Jewish families of Color in institutional and communal settings. Leadership development workshops will cover topics such as prayer, Judaism in the home, and social justice, each designed to create space for personal reflection and equip participants to apply their skills and intentions in leadership roles that support families raising children in a Jewish context.
Jews of Color Mishpacha Project Shabbaton
Fiscally sponsored by Shaarei Center for Jewish Learning & Life
The Jews of Color Mishpacha Project hosted its annual “We Are Family” Shabbaton for BIPOC Jews at Pearlstone Retreat Center on August 8-10, 2025. JoCI was a proud sponsor of this event, which was sold out for the first time in 5 years. This celebration of JoC community and belonging brought people together from across the country to engage in programming and prayer led by JoC prayer leaders and educators.
Jewtina y Co. and Brandeis University: Understanding Peoplehood Among Latin Jews
Fiscally sponsored by Social Good Fund
Jewtina y Co. and Brandeis University are studying how Latin Jews understand and experience identity and belonging across communal, religious, political, and cultural life. The research explores their participation in both the evolving U.S. Jewish community and the growing Latin population in the United States, aiming to deepen understanding of Latin-Jewish identity formation.
Judaism Alive: Song Leader Boot Camp
Judaism Alive’s annual Song Leader Boot Camp gathers Jewish professionals from across the country to strengthen their leadership skills and build community. This year, the organization is expanding its offerings for and by Jews of Color, conducting surveys to better understand their specific leadership needs, and developing new programming to address them. As part of this effort, they will launch a leaders-in-training program for young adult JoC, connecting them with mentors and established Jewish leaders in the field.
Miracles in Mashhad Trailer
Fiscally sponsored by Women Make Movies
Miracles in Mashhad is a forthcoming documentary that will capture and archive the stories of resilient Mashadi women who immigrated to the United States and worked to preserve Iranian Jewish culture and traditions. With JoCI’s support, the project will produce a trailer that offers a glimpse into the film’s exploration of tradition, identity, assimilation, and the concept of homeland across the diaspora. The trailer will highlight and celebrate Persian Jewish history, expanding JoC narratives and intergenerational cultural traditions. A community screening and dialogue will accompany the trailer’s release, informing the development of the full documentary.
Union for Reform Judaism’s Jews of Color Leadership Network
The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) is developing a national JoC Leadership Network to support and strengthen Jews of Color in leadership roles within the Reform movement. Through interviews and surveys, the network will identify key leadership development needs and design targeted curriculum and programming. This initiative will provide JoC leaders with meaningful opportunities for growth while fostering connections within URJ’s expansive national network.
These grants exemplify JoCI’s commitment to powering leaders, preserving stories, and expanding opportunities for Jews of Color—ensuring a vibrant, inclusive, and multiracial Jewish community.