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
|
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 Michelle Kuhl Alisha Litman-Zelle Riv-Ellen Prell Linda Stone Rabbi Aaron Weininger Julie Ziessman |
|
Upcoming Events
1. The USCJ is launching a four-part Race Consciousness series on October 20. Registration is $18 and more info is available at the link.
2. Beth El is launching two book groups in October, one to discuss Kendi's How to Be an Antiracist (four sessions Oct 20, Nov 17, Dec 15, Jan 19), and one to discuss Isabel Wilkerson's Caste (seven sessions Oct 14 & 28, Nov 11, Dec 2 & 16, Jan 13 & 27). Registration is open to all.
3. The Iowa Project is presenting a free program on mussar and racial justice on November 18th 6:00 – 7:30 PM CST via zoom: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mussar-and-the-work-of-racial-justice-session-2-tickets-168755942567. There are no prerequisites but you must register. The Iowa Project helps people build bridges between their spiritual lives and their activist lives.
2. Beth El is launching two book groups in October, one to discuss Kendi's How to Be an Antiracist (four sessions Oct 20, Nov 17, Dec 15, Jan 19), and one to discuss Isabel Wilkerson's Caste (seven sessions Oct 14 & 28, Nov 11, Dec 2 & 16, Jan 13 & 27). Registration is open to all.
3. The Iowa Project is presenting a free program on mussar and racial justice on November 18th 6:00 – 7:30 PM CST via zoom: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mussar-and-the-work-of-racial-justice-session-2-tickets-168755942567. There are no prerequisites but you must register. The Iowa Project helps people build bridges between their spiritual lives and their activist lives.
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
- 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)
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
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
Must-See Moments
|
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.
|
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