RACIAL COVENANTS: ADATH'S ANTIRACISM COMMITTEE ENCOURAGES YOU TO FIND AND DISCHARGE THEM
The deed of your property could be one of the 30,000 in the Twin Cities that has a racial covenant stating that it can’t be purchased by someone who isn’t White. It’s now free and easy to discharge that covenant!
HOW CAN I DISCHARGE A RACIAL COVENANT ON THE DEED OF MY PROPERTY?
It takes just a few minutes to set the process in motion.
Steps:
1. See if you have a restrictive covenant on your property. Go to the Mapping Prejudice tool on the Just Deeds website: https://justdeeds.org/education/.
2. If you do have one, go to the Just Deeds website to see if your city is one of the 17 in the Twin Cities area currently participating:https://justdeeds.org/participating-cities/. Click on your city, and follow the directions.
3. If you don’t have a covenant but would like to help, go to the Mapping Prejudice site and volunteer: https://mappingprejudice.umn.edu/.
Steps:
1. See if you have a restrictive covenant on your property. Go to the Mapping Prejudice tool on the Just Deeds website: https://justdeeds.org/education/.
2. If you do have one, go to the Just Deeds website to see if your city is one of the 17 in the Twin Cities area currently participating:https://justdeeds.org/participating-cities/. Click on your city, and follow the directions.
3. If you don’t have a covenant but would like to help, go to the Mapping Prejudice site and volunteer: https://mappingprejudice.umn.edu/.
QUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK? PLEASE REACH OUT!
Adath’s Antiracism Committee is happy to help if you have questions. We also would love to hear about your experiences: did you find a covenant and/or discharge a covenant? Your input is very important!
Contact Amy Susman-Stillman (asusman@umn.edu; 612-817-3583) or Sharon Garber (AAC co-chair: srgarber@comcast.net )
Contact Amy Susman-Stillman (asusman@umn.edu; 612-817-3583) or Sharon Garber (AAC co-chair: srgarber@comcast.net )
Why is it important to discharge racial covenants?
Although Minnesota State Law from 1953 and the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 rendered covenants unenforceable, discharging covenants ensures that any changes to laws and/or rulings to fair housing practices cannot bring covenants back. In 2019, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law to allow property owners to renounce the covenants on their properties.
Racial covenants have long-term negative effects on our communities and residents. More than a century after they were first embedded in the built environment, racial covenants continue to scar the land and the air. These racial restrictions laid a foundation for contemporary racial injustices and continue to shape the health and welfare of the people who inhabit the landscape they created (https://mappingprejudice.umn.edu/about-us/project). Examples include:
● Entrenched racial segregation
● Decreased property values in redlined neighborhoods
● Created racial disparities in home ownership, with the Twin Cities experiencing the largest racial home ownership gap in the nation
● Increased the wealth gap, as home ownership is a primary way of amassing generational wealth in the US
● Increased the likelihood of housing insecurity for BIPOC individuals
● Decreased access to green amenities for those living in redlined neighborhoods as parks and trees were more likely to be seen as investments in neighborhoods with covenants
● Promoted health disparities, as redlined neighborhoods are more likely to have environmental hazards in them. Racial covenants send a message about who is welcome in our community. Discharging covenants is one of many steps people can take to acknowledge and address systemic racism in housing and economic inclusion for BIPOC Minnesotans. It will show that now and in the future, discriminatory language and systemic racism is unacceptable in your community. By discharging your covenant, you are joining a movement of people in Minnesota who are committed to promoting anti-racism in housing. (https://www.wayzata.org/750/Just-Deeds ).
● Discharging racial covenants is an act of Teshuva. Maimonides discussed the importance of Teshuva long ago, including several important steps. One of those is making amends, and discharging a covenant is a small step in that direction.
Racial covenants have long-term negative effects on our communities and residents. More than a century after they were first embedded in the built environment, racial covenants continue to scar the land and the air. These racial restrictions laid a foundation for contemporary racial injustices and continue to shape the health and welfare of the people who inhabit the landscape they created (https://mappingprejudice.umn.edu/about-us/project). Examples include:
● Entrenched racial segregation
● Decreased property values in redlined neighborhoods
● Created racial disparities in home ownership, with the Twin Cities experiencing the largest racial home ownership gap in the nation
● Increased the wealth gap, as home ownership is a primary way of amassing generational wealth in the US
● Increased the likelihood of housing insecurity for BIPOC individuals
● Decreased access to green amenities for those living in redlined neighborhoods as parks and trees were more likely to be seen as investments in neighborhoods with covenants
● Promoted health disparities, as redlined neighborhoods are more likely to have environmental hazards in them. Racial covenants send a message about who is welcome in our community. Discharging covenants is one of many steps people can take to acknowledge and address systemic racism in housing and economic inclusion for BIPOC Minnesotans. It will show that now and in the future, discriminatory language and systemic racism is unacceptable in your community. By discharging your covenant, you are joining a movement of people in Minnesota who are committed to promoting anti-racism in housing. (https://www.wayzata.org/750/Just-Deeds ).
● Discharging racial covenants is an act of Teshuva. Maimonides discussed the importance of Teshuva long ago, including several important steps. One of those is making amends, and discharging a covenant is a small step in that direction.
What is a racial covenant?
Racial covenants are clauses that were inserted into property deeds to prevent people who were not White from buying or occupying land. An early Minneapolis restriction proclaimed that the “premises shall not at any time be conveyed, mortgaged, or leased to any person or persons of Chinese, Japanese, Moorish, Turkish, Negro, Mongolian or African blood or descent. Before 1919, Jews were included in this laundry list of “objectionable” people (https://mappingprejudice.umn.edu/about-us/project).
How many racial covenants are there in Minnesota?
About 30,000
● Approximately 500 in Minnetonka
● More than 1800 in St. Louis Park
● Over 8,000 in Minneapolis
● Over 3714 in Richfield
● Approximately 2800 in Edina
● Approximately 500 in Minnetonka
● More than 1800 in St. Louis Park
● Over 8,000 in Minneapolis
● Over 3714 in Richfield
● Approximately 2800 in Edina
What does it mean to discharge a covenant?
Discharging a covenant adds a statement to your property deed that rejects the language of the racist covenant. It does not erase the covenant from your property records. The discharge is a useful acknowledgment of the history of housing discrimination in your community.
To learn more:
The Mapping Prejudice Project: https://mappingprejudice.umn.edu/about-us/project (there are also opportunities to volunteer for the Mapping Prejudice
Project: https://mappingprejudice.umn.edu/take-action/volunteer)
Emanual Cohen who championed removing racial covenants for Jews:
https://umnlibraries.github.io/mappingprejudice/stories/emanuel-cohen-nfa/index.html
How racial covenants are related to Jews’ mobility in Minneapolis:
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/695d1dcd10194addb331eebc5a21de73
Just Deeds: https://justdeeds.org/ (The Just Deeds project was developed by the City of Golden Valley to help cities renounce racial covenants. Fourteen cities in Minnesota are participating–click here to see if your city is one of them).
Minneapolis’ history of racial covenants–watch this informative documentary entitled Jim Crow of the North:
https://www.tpt.org/minnesota-experience/video/jim-crow-of-the-north-stijws/
Project: https://mappingprejudice.umn.edu/take-action/volunteer)
Emanual Cohen who championed removing racial covenants for Jews:
https://umnlibraries.github.io/mappingprejudice/stories/emanuel-cohen-nfa/index.html
How racial covenants are related to Jews’ mobility in Minneapolis:
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/695d1dcd10194addb331eebc5a21de73
Just Deeds: https://justdeeds.org/ (The Just Deeds project was developed by the City of Golden Valley to help cities renounce racial covenants. Fourteen cities in Minnesota are participating–click here to see if your city is one of them).
Minneapolis’ history of racial covenants–watch this informative documentary entitled Jim Crow of the North:
https://www.tpt.org/minnesota-experience/video/jim-crow-of-the-north-stijws/
Upcoming Events
Messages from Adath's Antiracism Committee
Tuesday May 25, 2021 marks one year since the murder of George Floyd
Tuesday May 25, 2021 marks one year since the murder of George Floyd. His death sparked protests and calls for change, not only in our community here in Minnesota, but around the world.
In the past year, we have faced hard truths about systemic racism and its impact on all of our lives. We have come together in support of bringing comfort to each other, educating one another, and bringing food and supplies to impacted neighborhoods. We have learned from one another and many others across the nation about historical and contemporary realities that many of us have never known about or experienced, as well as those of us who have lived them. We have used our voices to call for changes in policing that disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
One year later our city, country and world are all still reeling. It is hard to measure change against a problem as great as systemic racism. It is hard to recover from a tragedy like the murder of George Floyd and confront the reality that the horrific loss of his life is one among many each year. As a congregation whose mission is dedicated to Torah (learning and tradition), Avodah (prayer and spirituality) and Gemilut Hasadim (acts of loving kindness) we may use this anniversary to pursue each of these avenues together.
Below are resources for those interested in marking this day with learning, prayer and action. Only by continuing our efforts can we attempt to make positive change for the future and strive to honor the memory of George Floyd.
Over this year, our commitment has grown to the wisdom expressed by Rabbi Tarfon in Pirke Avot 2:21.
"It is not your responsibility to finish the work of perfecting the world, but you are not free to desist from it either."
In the past year, we have faced hard truths about systemic racism and its impact on all of our lives. We have come together in support of bringing comfort to each other, educating one another, and bringing food and supplies to impacted neighborhoods. We have learned from one another and many others across the nation about historical and contemporary realities that many of us have never known about or experienced, as well as those of us who have lived them. We have used our voices to call for changes in policing that disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
One year later our city, country and world are all still reeling. It is hard to measure change against a problem as great as systemic racism. It is hard to recover from a tragedy like the murder of George Floyd and confront the reality that the horrific loss of his life is one among many each year. As a congregation whose mission is dedicated to Torah (learning and tradition), Avodah (prayer and spirituality) and Gemilut Hasadim (acts of loving kindness) we may use this anniversary to pursue each of these avenues together.
Below are resources for those interested in marking this day with learning, prayer and action. Only by continuing our efforts can we attempt to make positive change for the future and strive to honor the memory of George Floyd.
- Friday, May 14-Sunday, May 16, Jews of Color National Shabbaton commemoration (https://www.jocmishpacha.org/)
- Sunday, May 23, 2021, Rally and March, downtown Minneapolis, 4 PM
- Monday, May 24, 2021, Virtual day of action, (people are encouraged to engage in their communities everywhere)
- Tuesday, May 25, 2021, Celebration, Powderhorn Park, 10 AM-5 PM
- Tuesday, May 25, 2021, Georgy Floyd: One Year Later, A Reflection on Our Place in History. Join for an hour of reflection and commitment to action in Hopkins and Minnetonka, Eisenhower School Soccer Field, 1001 MN Hwy 7, Hopkins, 6:30-7:30 PM
Over this year, our commitment has grown to the wisdom expressed by Rabbi Tarfon in Pirke Avot 2:21.
"It is not your responsibility to finish the work of perfecting the world, but you are not free to desist from it either."
ONCE AGAIN WE ARE CONFRONTED WITH A TRAGEDY IN OUR COMMUNITY FOLLOWING THE KILLING OF DAUNTE WRIGHT
Once again we are confronted with a tragedy in our community following the killing of Daunte Wright on Sunday, April 11 in Brooklyn Center. You might be wondering what you can do to help the Brooklyn Center Community and what further steps we can take to combat systemic racism. We have a few suggestions.
Attend a Community Conversation on Policing: Tuesday, April 20th at 6:30 PM CST
Attend a community conversation about policing in Minnetonka led by Minnetonka Resident Community leaders, Grace Apostolic Church, Minnetonka Collective and the Minnetonka Police Department on Tuesday April 20th at 6:30 PM. RSVP with name and email to Karen Hendrickson at khendrickson@minnetonkamn.gov.
Be Part of the conversation “Where Do we Go from Here” as Adath joins Temple Beth El of Birmingham Alabama on Sunday, May 2nd at 3:00 PM CST
Lisa McNair, whose sister Denise McNair was killed in the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, will speak on the topic of reconciliation through her family’s journey and experiences. Join for a talk, Q&A and small group discussion. Register to join on Zoom
Help the Brooklyn Center Community as it is reeling from Daunte Wright’s Death: https://sahanjournal.com/helping-out/how-to-help-brooklyn-center-daunte-wright/
Attend a Community Conversation on Policing: Tuesday, April 20th at 6:30 PM CST
Attend a community conversation about policing in Minnetonka led by Minnetonka Resident Community leaders, Grace Apostolic Church, Minnetonka Collective and the Minnetonka Police Department on Tuesday April 20th at 6:30 PM. RSVP with name and email to Karen Hendrickson at khendrickson@minnetonkamn.gov.
Be Part of the conversation “Where Do we Go from Here” as Adath joins Temple Beth El of Birmingham Alabama on Sunday, May 2nd at 3:00 PM CST
Lisa McNair, whose sister Denise McNair was killed in the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, will speak on the topic of reconciliation through her family’s journey and experiences. Join for a talk, Q&A and small group discussion. Register to join on Zoom
Help the Brooklyn Center Community as it is reeling from Daunte Wright’s Death: https://sahanjournal.com/helping-out/how-to-help-brooklyn-center-daunte-wright/
ADATH'S ANTIRACISM COMMITTEE STANDS IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES AS WE MOURN THE LIVES OF THE EIGHT INNOCENT PEOPLE...
Adath's Antiracism Committee stands in solidarity with the Asian American communities as we mourn the lives of the eight innocent people, including six Asian American women, who were killed on March 17 by a gunman on a mass shooting spree at several Atlanta-area spas. We strongly condemn racially motivated attacks, violence against women and all forms of racism.
The insidious effects of race-based and gender-based attacks permeate our society in some ways that are obvious and in other ways obscure. We all must remain committed to dismantling racism against all peoples and steadfast in finding pathways to an antiracist society.
We support the statements from other Jewish organizations speaking out against this mass shooting, including:
We invite you to engage with the resources on this page and challenge your perceptions of people who may look different than you do. Take time to learn more about racism against the Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities and determine what you can do to take a more active role in being an antiracist ally.
The insidious effects of race-based and gender-based attacks permeate our society in some ways that are obvious and in other ways obscure. We all must remain committed to dismantling racism against all peoples and steadfast in finding pathways to an antiracist society.
We support the statements from other Jewish organizations speaking out against this mass shooting, including:
We invite you to engage with the resources on this page and challenge your perceptions of people who may look different than you do. Take time to learn more about racism against the Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities and determine what you can do to take a more active role in being an antiracist ally.
- WCCO- Asian-American Minnesotans Speak Out Amidst Wave Of Racist Attacks: ‘It’s Very Painful’
- Star Tribune - Fears of racist violence grow for Minnesota's Asian Americans
- PBS - What you can do to fight violence and racism against Asian Americans
- CNBC - How to support Asian American colleagues amid the recent wave of anti-Asian violence
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) - Stand Against Hatred Stories
- Other Anti-Asian Violence Resources
Creating Cultural Change Around Racism
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Adath’s Antiracism Committee formed in Summer 2020 as part of the Keruv Committee. Keruv historically identifies and addresses the ways in which members of our community have felt marginalized, and how to thoughtfully respond to those concerns. We formed Adath's Antiracism Committee in response to the murder of George Floyd and the protests that followed, as well as to our Board of Trustees’ unanimous support for a national Jewish statement to say Black Lives Matter. Our congregation is centered around the pillars of Torah (lifelong learning), Avodah (prayer), and Gemilut Hasadim (acts of kindness). Those pillars do not endure without introspection continually, but particularly as we prepare for the High Holy Days. Systemic racism is difficult to change and requires an intentional engagement by each of us. As Jews, we are acutely aware of how policy and practice were used historically to discriminate against us, and that as a community we remain vigilant about rooting out antisemitism. Antiracism requires the same thing--an intentional, regular effort to make sure old policy and practice used to create inequalities are not allowed to remain and that new ones are not allowed to be created. . We have created this Antiracism Committee page in order to provide resources to assist you. More will be added over time. They will include books, documentaries, articles and information about upcoming events and opportunities to get involved with actions we are taking. You can also reach out to us with questions, requests or suggestions at antiracism@adath.net or by contacting one of our co-chairs: Sharon Garber, srgarber@comcast.net or Dudley Deshommes-Kohls, ddeshommes@gmail.com. Sincerely, Adath’s Antiracism Committee Dudley Deshommes-Kohls, Co-Chair Sharon Garber, Co-Chair Mitchell Bender Sheree Curry Rabbi Harold Kravitz Alisha Litman-Zelle Liba Nudell Riv-Ellen Prell Linda Stone Amy Susman-Stillman Rabbi Aaron Weininger Ed Zeman |
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Interfaith Action in Concert with Minnesota Commissioner of Public Safety, John Harrington
We are about to embark on a journey with Commissioner Harrington and over 100 faith leaders from multiple denominations to discuss ways to improve public safety in the community. The commissioner will give the results to Governor Walz, incorporate them into the legislative agenda and provide grants to bring some of the ideas into reality.
Our team at Adath will listen to realistic scenarios of police calls and discuss various ways to respond most effectively to the call before and after considering how the tenets of our faith might alter our thoughts. There will be 3 or 4 discussions over a several month period. Contact Sharon Garber, srgarber@comcast.net, to learn more about this opportunity and volunteer to help.
Our team at Adath will listen to realistic scenarios of police calls and discuss various ways to respond most effectively to the call before and after considering how the tenets of our faith might alter our thoughts. There will be 3 or 4 discussions over a several month period. Contact Sharon Garber, srgarber@comcast.net, to learn more about this opportunity and volunteer to help.
New Usher Opportunity- Building a safe, inclusive, warm environment
Everyone wants to feel both safe and welcomed when entering Adath to pray. Adath’s Antiracism Committee and Security Committee have been working together to create usher training that accomplishes that goal. As we approach MLK Day, how better to honor him than to sign up to be one of our new Ushers trained to provide safety which is warm and welcoming to all. You’ll receive training and then help our security guard on Shabbat Mornings. For more information, contact Miranda Weisbuch, mirandaw@adath.net.
Greeting is more than "Hello"- The Power of the word
The role of an Adath Greeter is to help people feel welcomed when they come to Adath but are we always perceived as welcoming? “What brings you here?” might seem welcoming but could be perceived as something quite different if the person is already a member, especially if a Jew of Color. Volunteer to receive short training on how to greet in a welcoming fashion and then come to Adath on Shabbat either weekly or occasionally to be that person who provides a positive experience for all our congregants and guests. For more information, contact Miranda Weisbuch, mirandaw@adath.net.
Examine your own attitudes and beliefs- take the implicit association test
Members of our Antiracism Committee have learned quite a bit about their own attitudes and beliefs by traveling the antiracism road for 1-1/2 years. You can get a feel for it yourself in about 15 minutes by taking The Implicit Association Test, a project of researchers at the University of Washington, the University of Virginia, Harvard University and Yale University. Your encrypted and secure answers will be used by scholars for their research, and you will receive an assessment of your attitudes. You don’t have to agree with the assessment, but you might find it enlightening and you will be contributing to this important research. https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html
Check out adath's antiracism webpage- select something to read, watch, or join
Are you interested in antiracism books for adults? How about resources for children or families? Maybe you’d like to check out some organizations for Jews of Color, get links to recorded programs, or find information on the latest Pew report. You’ll find those and more on our webpage: https://www.adathjeshurun.org/antiracism.html. Take it for a ride!
Food and Clothing are necessities that are not always available to everyone- Take a Trip- Make a difference
This January, take a trip to one of the food shelves we support and drop off food or clothing. Information on what is most needed, hours of operation and location are available from their websites.
PRISM: Accepts both clothing and food: https://www.prismmpls.org/
STEP: Accepts food only: https://stepslp.org/
ICA: Accepts food only: https://www.icafoodshelf.org/
PRISM: Accepts both clothing and food: https://www.prismmpls.org/
STEP: Accepts food only: https://stepslp.org/
ICA: Accepts food only: https://www.icafoodshelf.org/
Be a force in racial and economic justice- join the 13th cohort of JCA's Tzedek Institute and Learn About Community Organizing Through a Jewish Lens
This cohort will be team-taught by Lauren Muscoplat and JCA Organizing Director Dave Snyder and will involve 6-8 gatherings (in person with a Zoom option) starting in late January/early February 2022. You’ll learn the best practices of congregational organizing connected with ongoing JCA racial justice campaigns. Contact Lauren Muscoplat for more information, lauren@jewishcommunityaction.org, or, even better,
Register today!
Register today!
Fight for Housing Justice- Join Members of Your Community In the Suburban Hennepin Housing Coalition
Challenges with stable housing fall much more heavily on people of color and working for just housing is another way of addressing racism. JCA is a coalition in different western suburbs advocating for affordable housing and tenant protections. To get involved in your local group, contact one of these people:
Edina: Hope Melton, https://edinaneighborsforaffordablehousing.org, 518-727-7553
Golden Valley: Ruth Paradise, ruthparadise40@gmail.com
Plymouth: Ed Goldsmith, edwgoldsmith@gmail.com; Larry Parks, laparks@gmail.com
Minnetonka: Cindy Reich, reichcin@gmail.com
Edina: Hope Melton, https://edinaneighborsforaffordablehousing.org, 518-727-7553
Golden Valley: Ruth Paradise, ruthparadise40@gmail.com
Plymouth: Ed Goldsmith, edwgoldsmith@gmail.com; Larry Parks, laparks@gmail.com
Minnetonka: Cindy Reich, reichcin@gmail.com
Antiracism Resources
adult audience: books
- The Price of Whiteness: Jews, Race, and American Identity, by Eric L. Goldstein
- White Fragility, Robin DiAngelo
- So You Want to Talk about Race, Ijeoma Oluo
- How to be an Antiracist, Ibram X. Kendi
- The Color of Water, James McBride
- African Americans in Minnesota, David V. Taylor
- A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota, Edited by Sun Yung Shin
- The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration? Isabel Wilkerson
- Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, Isabel Wilkerson
- The Vanishing Half, Brit Bennett
- Ariel Samson: Freelance Rabbi, MaNishtana
adult audience: articles, essays & websites
- Largest study ever of Jews of color reports widespread discrimination
- Jews of Color Initiative- Research
- Beyond the Count: Perspectives and Lived Experiences of Jews of Color
- Rabbi Blumenthal: USCJ's #BlackLivesMatter Statement in The New York Times
- The Mapping Prejudice Project
- Exodus & Equity: Who the Folk with Kirsten Delegard of The Mapping Prejudice Project, Podcast
- Exodus & Equity Part 1 of 4: Reckoning With The Jewish Connection To Minnneapolis’ Equity Problem
- Exodus & Equity, Part 2 of 4: Shared Experiences. And Then A Split.
- Myths about Black Power in Jewish Politics
- Jews and the African Slave Trade
- Living and Leaving the North Side
- 103 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
- I’m not White, I’m Jewish: Standing as Jews in the Fight for Racial Justice, by Paul Kivel
Adult audience: videos
adult audience: other
- Kaddish for Black Lives from Jewish Multiracial Network
- Talking to Young Children About Race and Racism (PBS Kids Resource Roundup)
ADULT AUDIENCE: ORGANIZATIONS
Jews of Color Initiative. https://jewsofcolorinitiative.org/
Multiracial Jewish Association of Minnesota. https://www.mjamn.org/
Multiracial Jewish Association of Minnesota. https://www.mjamn.org/
resources for younger families
- Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Boy, Tony Medina and Thirteen Artists
- When We Were Alone, David A. Robertson Illustrations by Julie Flett
- Something Happened in Our Town, Jennifer Zivoin
- Can I Touch Your Hair, Charles Waters and Irene Latham
- Antiracist Baby, Ibram X. Kehndi
- All the Colors We Are: The Story of How We Get Our Skin Color/Todos los colores de nuestra piel: La historia de por qué tenemos diferentes colores de piel, Katie Kissinger
- Intersection Allies: We Make Room for All, Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Council, and Carolyn Choi
RESOURCES: HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH AND UP
- Thoughts from a Unicorn, MaNishtana
- Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson
- Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations About Race by Beverly Daniel Tatum, PhD
- Resources: Middle School and up
- Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You, Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kehndi
- The Hate You Give, Angie Thomas
- American Born Chinese, Gene Luen Yang
- What Lane, by Torrey Maldonado
Must-See Moments
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Rabbi Kravitz's Yom Kippur Sermon on Jews and Race
Thursday, September 16, 2021 Watch Recording | Read Sermon |
watch video
Watch Video
Original broadcast: Monday, September 28 - Yom Kippur
5:10 p.m. Central:
Feeling Safe and Welcome at Adath: Security and Antiracism
Adath Jeshurun Congregation's Yom Kippur Forum this year featured
a panel discussion of such questions as:
Featuring:
Riv-Ellen Prell, Prof. Emerita, Dept of American Studies, U of MN, Moderator.
Dudley Deshommes-Kohls, Co-Chair Adath's Antiracism Committee
Rafi Forbush, Teacher at Heilicher Jewish Day School and Youth Director at Beth Jacob
Dan Plekkenpol, Director of Community Security, JCRC Minnesota and the Dakotas
Rabbi Harold Kravitz, Max Newman Family Chair in Rabbinics
The 50-minute Yom Kippur Forum can now be watched here: https://youtu.be/m9iCeJIe0pUby
Co-sponsors:
Adath Jeshurun Congregation Antiracism Committee
JCRC of Minnesota and the Dakotas
Jewish Community Action
Teshuvah, Racial Justice and Inclusion – Listening to Black Jewish Voices (go to 1:35 for recording)
Facilitated by Adath member Sheree Curry, with Dr. Michelle Kuhl, Dr. Lewis Gordon and Robin Washington. Was livestreamed on Sept. 12.
An opportunity to witness the many perspectives and experiences of our Black and Jewish sisters and brothers at this time of internal and external reckoning. A round table discussion about antiracism in the wake of George Floyd’s (z’l) murder, with voices from Adath Jeshurun Congregation (MN) and beyond.
Watch recording at time stamp 1:35
Original broadcast: Monday, September 28 - Yom Kippur
5:10 p.m. Central:
Feeling Safe and Welcome at Adath: Security and Antiracism
Adath Jeshurun Congregation's Yom Kippur Forum this year featured
a panel discussion of such questions as:
- What makes Adath members feel secure and safe when we are in the synagogue?
- How might this be different for our members who are Jews of color, or for our guests who are people of color?
- What are the different ways that members respond to people who are armed and in uniform as members walk through the parking lot, or on their way into the sanctuary?
- What are best practices for those who provide security for us?
Featuring:
Riv-Ellen Prell, Prof. Emerita, Dept of American Studies, U of MN, Moderator.
Dudley Deshommes-Kohls, Co-Chair Adath's Antiracism Committee
Rafi Forbush, Teacher at Heilicher Jewish Day School and Youth Director at Beth Jacob
Dan Plekkenpol, Director of Community Security, JCRC Minnesota and the Dakotas
Rabbi Harold Kravitz, Max Newman Family Chair in Rabbinics
The 50-minute Yom Kippur Forum can now be watched here: https://youtu.be/m9iCeJIe0pUby
Co-sponsors:
Adath Jeshurun Congregation Antiracism Committee
JCRC of Minnesota and the Dakotas
Jewish Community Action
Teshuvah, Racial Justice and Inclusion – Listening to Black Jewish Voices (go to 1:35 for recording)
Facilitated by Adath member Sheree Curry, with Dr. Michelle Kuhl, Dr. Lewis Gordon and Robin Washington. Was livestreamed on Sept. 12.
An opportunity to witness the many perspectives and experiences of our Black and Jewish sisters and brothers at this time of internal and external reckoning. A round table discussion about antiracism in the wake of George Floyd’s (z’l) murder, with voices from Adath Jeshurun Congregation (MN) and beyond.
Watch recording at time stamp 1:35
USCJ's #BlackLivesMatter Statement in the New York Times
Read Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal's September 2, 2020 blog post here.
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Rabbi Kravitz Yom Kippur Sermon on Antiracism
Monday, September 28 2020 Watch Recording (1:46:23) | Read Sermon |
Past Events
Where do we go from here? with Lisa McNair
May 2, 2021
Lisa McNair, whose sister Denise McNair was killed in the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, is a professional public speaker on the topic of reconciliation. Watch the recording here.
Lisa McNair, whose sister Denise McNair was killed in the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, is a professional public speaker on the topic of reconciliation. Watch the recording here.
#BlackJewishUnity Campus Convo featuring Ari hawkins
Thursday, September 10
#BlackJewishUnity Campus Convo on Instagram Live
10:30 a.m. Eastern, 9:30 a.m. Central,
8:30 a.m. Mountain, 7:30 a.m. Pacific
As part of AJC’s #BlackJewishUnity week, this Campus Convo will focus on elevating the voices of Jewish students of color including what steps the Jewish community can take to tackle the complexities of racism within our own spaces. Tune in live on AJC’s Instagram @ajc.global. Powered by AJC’s Campus Affairs team - a division of AJC’s Young Leadership Department.
Featuring: Ari Hawkins, NYU Abu Dhabi
#BlackJewishUnity Campus Convo on Instagram Live
10:30 a.m. Eastern, 9:30 a.m. Central,
8:30 a.m. Mountain, 7:30 a.m. Pacific
As part of AJC’s #BlackJewishUnity week, this Campus Convo will focus on elevating the voices of Jewish students of color including what steps the Jewish community can take to tackle the complexities of racism within our own spaces. Tune in live on AJC’s Instagram @ajc.global. Powered by AJC’s Campus Affairs team - a division of AJC’s Young Leadership Department.
Featuring: Ari Hawkins, NYU Abu Dhabi
#BLACKJEWISHUNITY CAMPUS CONVO FEATURING rabbi buchdahl & bishop ulmer
Thursday, September 10
12:00 p.m. Eastern, 11:00 a.m. Central,
10:00 a.m. Mountain, 9:00 a.m. Pacific
#BlackJewishUnity and Faith: Is the Spirit of King and Heschel Still Alive?
Featuring:
Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Senior Rabbi, Central Synagogue
Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, Senior Pastor, Faithful Central Bible Church
Moderated by Rabbi Noam Marans, AJC Director, Interreligious and Intergroup Relations
Opening Remarks by:
Representative James Clyburn, Majority Whip; Chairman, Democratic Faith Working Group
REGISTER HERE
12:00 p.m. Eastern, 11:00 a.m. Central,
10:00 a.m. Mountain, 9:00 a.m. Pacific
#BlackJewishUnity and Faith: Is the Spirit of King and Heschel Still Alive?
Featuring:
Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Senior Rabbi, Central Synagogue
Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, Senior Pastor, Faithful Central Bible Church
Moderated by Rabbi Noam Marans, AJC Director, Interreligious and Intergroup Relations
Opening Remarks by:
Representative James Clyburn, Majority Whip; Chairman, Democratic Faith Working Group
REGISTER HERE
#BLACKJEWISHUNITY CAMPUS CONVO FEATURING Antonesia "Toni" Wiley & Belle Yoeli
Thursday, September 10
Instagram Live: The Future of #BlackJewishUnity
6:00 p.m. Eastern, 5:00 p.m. Central,
4:00 p.m. Mountain, 3:00 p.m. Pacific
Join AJC for a special conversation about the shared and differing challenges facing the Black community and Jewish community in this moment. As part of #BlackJewishUnity week, this conversation will explore what young leaders can do today to continue the legacy of Black-Jewish relations, embrace allyship, and support one another in our communities. Tune in live on Instagram via @ajc.global and @NatUrbanLeague. Powered by AJC’s Young Leadership Department
Featuring:
Antonesia “Toni” Wiley, National Urban League Director of Advocacy
Belle Yoeli, AJC Chief of Staff and Chief Innovation Officer
Instagram Live: The Future of #BlackJewishUnity
6:00 p.m. Eastern, 5:00 p.m. Central,
4:00 p.m. Mountain, 3:00 p.m. Pacific
Join AJC for a special conversation about the shared and differing challenges facing the Black community and Jewish community in this moment. As part of #BlackJewishUnity week, this conversation will explore what young leaders can do today to continue the legacy of Black-Jewish relations, embrace allyship, and support one another in our communities. Tune in live on Instagram via @ajc.global and @NatUrbanLeague. Powered by AJC’s Young Leadership Department
Featuring:
Antonesia “Toni” Wiley, National Urban League Director of Advocacy
Belle Yoeli, AJC Chief of Staff and Chief Innovation Officer