Commemorating Juneteenth and Our Covenant to Building an Anti-Racist Community

The Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund is committed to building an anti-racist Jewish community and to do our part in the struggle against racism in the broader Bay Area community. We acknowledge the long history of injustice that people of color have lived and continue to live through, both here in the Bay Area and around the country. In addition to experiencing the ongoing burden of anti-Semitism, Jews of Color have also had to bear the brunt of racism, both inside and outside our community. The Torah commands us to take action to pursue justice (tzedek), one of the Jewish values that guides the Federation’s work. We must and will do more.

We respect and appreciate the brave, bold leadership of Jews of Color in our community to re-imagine our collective Jewish covenant. While we have started our own internal work to establish racial justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion as pillars of our organization, we have much more to learn. We look forward to engaging in the conversation and being the best partners that we can to build a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community for acheinu kol bet yisroel – for all of our people.”

Today is Juneteenth, which commemorates the day in 1865 that the last slaves of the confederacy were notified of their emancipation. Our Federation team is dedicating time to personally reflect, to learn about our history of racial injustice, and/or take action. We hope you will join us and so many others in our Jewish community who are making the commitment. The list of events and resources below may help you on your own journey. We will continue to add to this list and welcome your suggestions.

Ways to Commemorate Juneteenth

• Attend today’s webinar at 11:00 am PDT to hear from political analysts about the significance of Juneteenth (sponsored by The Jewish Federations of North America).
• Attend today’s virtual Juneteenth Kabbalat Shabbat, hosted by Be’chol Lashon, Keshet, and the National Council of Jewish Women.
• Attend one of these events taking place virtually and around the Bay Area.
• Learn more about the holiday and its significance to Black Jews, courtesy of our partners at Be’chol Lashon.

Anti-Racism Resources and Ways to Support Racial Justice

Reflect and Channel Your Judaism to Help Foster an Anti-Racist Mindset

• Listen to Wholly Jewish, a podcast that explores the intersection of Jewishness with other identities. Season 1 features Jews of color discussing their experiences through a Jewish lens.
• Listen to Black Jewish voices (from Be’chol Lashon)
• View this Facebook webinar on Racial Justice and Jews of Color during COVID-19 (from Jews of Color Field Building Initiative)
• Read. The Black Jews Are Tired is an essay by Chris Harrison calling for the Jewish community, especially white Jewish people, to speak up and take action against racism. The Reform Judaism Blog has a collection of essays and articles on various topics by Jews of color.
• Access educational resources from Be’chol Lashon, anti-racism resources from Moishe House, and this Solidarity Guide from Gather DC.
• Take the Privilege Checklist (from Jewish Multiracial Network)
• Read stories that talk about race, and read nonfiction books on antiblack racism.

Take Action to Pursue Justice (tzedek) as Commanded in the Torah

• Give to organizations dedicated to racial justice and equality. Our Federation Philanthropy Partners team has developed this Giving Insights to serve as a guide.
• Sign petitions calling for justice for victims of racism and police brutality and advocating for systemic change.
• Talk to your kids about racism (from PJ Library)
• Teachers: Talk to students about George Floyd and racism (from Prizmah)
• Facilitate Anti-Racism Conversations (from At the Well)
• Build and Advance the Field for Jews of Color (from The Jews of Color Field Building Initiative)
• Practice directly refuting racism in your daily life, even when it makes you or others uncomfortable.
• Educate those around you about race and racism, including your relatives, by sharing these resources and others.