Posts Tagged ‘retreat’
The Jewish Multiracial Network
16th Annual Retreat!
June 7-9, 2013
The Capital Retreat Center in Waynesboro, PA www.capitalretreat.org
(Dining is under strict Star-K Kashrut Supervision, with glatt kosher meat and cholov yisrael dairy products.)
Register HERE!
“You are not alone. Just pull up a mental vision of a Jews of Color (JOC) version of the Verizon [network] commercial where all those people are standing behind the technician – You in front and all of the rest of us standing behind you ready to assist – the days of any of us fighting alone are over – keep the image present in your mind as you encounter people’s ignorance…” ~Yavilah McCoy
Jewish unity is possible – really! It begins with acting decently toward one another; it follows with tolerating others as they pursue lives of goodness; it culminates with many different Jews, but just one heart. We are allowed to think and observe differently than one another, but we must always act decently toward one another.~Asher, Lev Echad
To love your neighbor as yourself is the major principle of the Torah.
~ Rabbi Akiva
This year’s annual Jewish Multiracial Network (JMN) retreat at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in Falls Village, CT. was fantastic!! There was a palpable joy in the air. New participants and habitual attendees combined to make the Jewish Multiracial Network’s Bar Mitzvah year one to remember. See Photos!
Remember: “You are not alone. Just pull up a mental vision of a Jews of Color (JOC) version of the Verizon [network] commercial where all those people are standing behind the technician – You in front and all of the rest of us standing behind you ready to assist – the days of any of us fighting alone are over – keep the image present in your mind as you encounter people’s ignorance…” ~Yavilah McCoy
The Mission of the Jewish Multiracial Network (JMN) is to build a community of Jews of color and multiracial Jewish families for mutual support, learning, and empowerment. Through education and advocacy, JMN seeks to enrich Jewish communal life by incorporating our diverse racial and ethnic heritages.
The Jewish Multiracial Network brings Jewish multiracial families and individuals together to learn about and celebrate their Judaism. JMN is committed to diversity and inclusive community-building, and seeks to help it’s members strengthen their identities as Jews and members of other ethnic groups. JMN creates opportunities for learning, nurturing and support for a large and growing part of the Jewish community that often feels marginalized by mainstream Jewish organizations. You are invited to become a part of this developing national Jewish multiracial network. Click HERE!
The Jewish Multiracial Network…Because Jews Come in All Colors Poster
POSTER TEXT BOXES:
DID YOU KNOW?
The Jews of China built their famous “Purity and Truth” synagogue in the third year of the Da Ding period (1163) of the Jin (Golden Tartar) Dynasty, in the ancient Chinese capitol city of Kaifeng.
DID YOU KNOW?
15,000 Black African Jews, who trace their 3,000 year history to the time of Israel’s King Solomon, were flown from Ethiopia to Israel in 36 hours in May 1991.
DID YOU KNOW?
Spanish & Portuguese “Crypto” (secret) Jews arrived in New Mexico some 500 years ago, fleeing the Spanish Inquisition. Their descendants still recite Shabbat blessings in Ladino (archaic Spanish).
DID YOU KNOW?
In India, the Bene Israel community—their ancestors arrived there 2,000 years ago—are called “Shanwar Telis” (Saturday Oil Pressers) as they refrain from work on the Shabbat.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Jews of Morocco make pilgrimage each year to the tombs of 13 Holy Sages, and celebrate a unique Jewish holiday called Mimunah.
Jewish Multiracial Network Thirteenth Annual Retreat: June 11 – 13, 2010
Join dozens of other Jewish multiracial families and Jews of Color of all ages for an inclusive Shabbat experience that will celebrate the diversity of our community. The weekend includes exciting adult discussions and workshops, youth and teen programming, childcare, multi-generational family programming and time to relax and enjoy all that the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center and JMN have to offer.
Ashkenazi and/or White Jewish Privilege Checklist
I can walk into my temple and feel that others do not see me as outsider.
I can walk into my temple and feel that others do not see me as exotic.
I can walk into my temple and feel that my children are seen as Jewish.
I can walk into my temple with my family and not worry that they will be treated unkindly because of the color of their skin.
I can enjoy music at my temple that reflects the tunes, prayers, and cultural roots of my specific Jewish heritage.
No one at my synagogue will attempt to assign me to a ethnicity to which I do not belong (e.g., assuming all Jews of African descent are Igbo or Ethiopian).
I can easily find greeting cards and books with images of Jews who look like me.
I can easily find Jewish books and toys for my children with images of Jews that look like them.
I am not singled out to speak about and as a representative of an “exotic” Jewish subgroup.
When I go to Jewish bookstores or restaurants, I am not seen as an outsider.
I find my experiences and images like mine in Jewish newspapers and magazines.
I do not worry about access to housing or apartments in predominately Jewish neighborhoods.
My rabbi never questions that I am Jewish.
When I tell other members of my synagogue that I feel marginalized, they are immediately and appropriately responsive.
There are other children at the religious school who look like my child.
My child’s authenticity as a Jew is never questioned by adults or children based on his/her skin color.
People never look at me and say “But you don’t look Jewish” either seriously or as though it was funny.
I do not worry about being seen or treated as a member of the janitorial or administrative staff at a synagogue or when attending a Jewish event.
I am never asked “how” I am Jewish at Jewish dating events or on Jewish dating websites.
I can arrange to be in the company of Jews of my heritage most of the time.
When attempting to join a synagogue or Jewish organization, I am sure that my ethnic background will not be held against me.
I can ask synagogues and Jewish organizations to include images and cultural traditions from my background without being seen as a nuisance.
I can enroll in a Jewish day school, Yeshiva, and/or historically Jewish college and find Jewish students and professors with my racial or ethnic background.
People of color do not question why I am Jewish.
I know my racial or ethnic background will not be held against me if I attempt to join a minyan in prayer.
I know my ethnic background will not be held against me in being called to read the Torah.
I am not discriminated against in the aliyah process as a Jew of my particular ethnicity.
Text not copyrighted. Developed for educational purposes by the Jewish Multiracial Network, 2006–2009. Please distribute and add to the checklist.