Related Blog Posts on Native American issues, Racial Equity, Diversity, and & Inclusion (REDI) Communities of Belonging
Supporting Immigrants and Refugees in This Challenging Moment
Background on recent Reform Movement statements, longstanding Reform Movement policies, and opportunities for action by individuals, congregations, and communities.
The Cost of Free Land
When I was a child growing up in the 1980s, the story I learned about Thanksgiving followed the classic script: it highlighted amity between the Pilgrims and their Indigenous neighbors. Due to this connection, the hunger of the European settlers was met with squash and turkey.
What Should Jewish LGBTQ+ Spaces Look Like?
For many LGBTQ+ Jews in the United States, LGBTQ+ synagogues and organizations offer that sustenance.
Communities of Belonging Don’t Just Happen…URJ Camps are Putting in the Work
While camp is an oasis away from everyday life, it still exists in a world that has much work to do around harm prevention, particularly for Campers of Color, gender-diverse campers, campers with a variety of body sizes, and campers with disabilities.
Supporting Colleagues with Disabilities
Each February, we observe Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month. Up to 25% of people live with a disability, which means many of your colleagues have visible or invisible disabilities.
Indigenous Jewish Women Making an Impact
In honor of Native American heritage month, I’m excited to share with you four women whose intersecting Jewish and Indigenous identities have influenced their work as authors, artists, activists, lawyers, and musicians. These women come from a wide array of ages, cultures, and locations; their work speaks to the ways that Jewish values of justice, learning, and belonging overlap with Indigenous culture.
Shavuot to Juneteenth: A Journey Toward Liberation
Temple Israel is engaged in a REDI culture shift, striving to be a synagogue that exemplifies our belief in b’tzelem Elohim (shared humanity) by creating a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Our New Year’s party came from the idea that while this work can be challenging, it is a joy to lift up the diversity and unique lived experiences of those in our community. Following this theme of celebrating our diversity, we began planning our inaugural Shavuot to Juneteenth: A Journey Toward Liberation.
Celebrating the Indigenous Community is a Year-Round Value
One theme central to the month of Kislev is emerging from the struggle to survive. Jewish legend holds that it was in the month of Kislev that a rainbow appeared following the great flood in the time of Noah, that the Mishkan (Tabernacle) was built, and that the foundation stones of the Second Temple were laid.
Affirming and Loving Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Expansive Grandchildren
Given these realities, the Union for Reform Judaism, Jewish Grandparents Network, and Keshet collaborated to create a series of conversations to support grandparents and other loving adults who are interested in providing affirming spaces for gender expansive, non-binary, and transgender young people. These sessions have provided grandparents with foundational knowledge, shared language, and inclusive practices.
Native American Heritage Month: Continued Support for the Indigenous Population is a Necessity
In November, we celebrate Native American Heritage Month. Unfortunately, much of North America is just beginning to recognize the contributions of Indigenous peoples.