Related Blog Posts on Racial Equity, Diversity, and & Inclusion

an image of a diverse group of people of different genders, ages, and race in a group holding their hands out in the center on top of each other
Racial Justice

Shavuot to Juneteenth: A Journey Toward Liberation

Tali Puterman
 June 13, 2023
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.
female and male symbol combined and written with chalk
Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

Affirming and Loving Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Expansive Grandchildren

November 22, 2022
The Union for Reform Judaism, Jewish Grandparents Network, and Keshet are collaborating on 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 provide grandparents with foundational knowledge, shared language, and inclusive practices.
dairy products on wheat field table torah symbols
Shavuot

Favorite Jewish Teachings from Leaders of Color

Yolanda Savage-Narva
 June 2, 2022
In honor of Shavuot and the Giving of the Torah, I have been spending some time reflecting on some of my favorite teachings from Jewish sacred literature, both those that resonate with me, and those that feel most important or most timely.
Progressive Pride Flag
LGBTQ+ Equality

Trans Day of Visibility is Just a Start

Cantor Sheri Allen
Preston Max Allen
 March 29, 2022
For a community relentlessly targeted by hateful legislation, this year’s Transgender Day of Visibility (celebrated on March 31) holds a heightened sense of urgency. I am ashamed to say that this day wasn’t even on my radar until I had a personal stake in it, but it now holds a special place of significance in my family.
Tougaloo Campus Photo
Antisemitism and Hate Crimes

Two Out of Two

Yolanda Savage-Narva
 February 15, 2022
As a graduate of both Tougaloo College and Jackson State University, the recent bomb threats to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are personal to me. Since January 2022, over a dozen HBCUs have received bomb threats; several of those threats were received on the first day of Black history month. The continuous attacks on institutions of higher learning; places of worship and individual attacks are a direct threat to our everyday existence.
Rosa Parks being fingerprinted on Feb 22, 1956
Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

Rosa Parks's Legacy Endures Today

Israel Harris
Shayna Han
 February 4, 2022
Many Americans remember Rosa Parks as the tired seamstress who refused to move to the back of a bus, but Rosa Parks is much more than that story: though she did not identify as Jewish, her life reflected a commitment that we might identify as tikkun olam – repairing what is broken in our world. Here are three key insights from Rosa Parks’ life we can bear in mind as Black History Month begins.
Progressive Pride Flag
Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

Reflecting on Transgender Awareness Week in 2021

Hannah Bender
Eliana Rubin
Kelly Whitehead
Rachel Klein
 November 16, 2021
Transgender Awareness Week is a chance to educate the public. It is important for people who are not part of the trans community to understand the oppression transgender and gender-expansive people face every day. While it is always important to affirm trans identities, Transgender Awareness Week provides an opportunity to center the voices of trans and gender-expansive people.