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Jewish Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
"It was for this reason that Human was first created as one [person], to teach you that anyone who destroys a life is considered by Scripture to have destroyed a full world"
לְפִיכָךְ נִבְרָא אָדָם יְחִידִי, לְלַמֶּדְךָ, שֶׁכָּל הַמְּאַבֵּד נֶפֶשׁ אַחַת מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, מַעֲלֶה עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב כְּאִלּוּ אָבַד עוֹלָם מָלֵא
Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5
What is J.E.D.I.
J.E.D.I. supports the Jewish communal ecosystem in creating a culture of belonging for all Jews and their loved ones while building bridges across socially and culturally diverse communities.
With a multi-prong approach, J.E.D.I.’s Theory of Change simultaneously focuses on three complementary fields of work each with its own projects and programs to measure our change and impact: Education, Engagement, and Empowerment.
Welcome to the J.E.D.I Curriculum
Standing for justice – for everyone – is at the center of Judaism. J.E.D.I. is a 7-unit course designed to begin educating the Jewish community on ways to begin talking, thinking and acting around issues of race, diversity and inclusion in America. The Curriculum Objectives are to:
- Create a baseline of shared language and knowledge for the Jewish communal ecosystem around racial justice and equity with a Jewish traditional lens.
- Increase comfort levels of Jewish community leaders to discuss issues relating to identity, justice, equity, diversity and inclusion with a Jewish lens.
- Increase knowledge, consciousness, self-awareness, and shared language for individuals and organizations about racial justice, equity and personal identity.
- Provide ongoing support, tools and best practices to advance J.E.D.I. in Jewish communal life and broader society to decrease racial bias and increase racial equity within Jewish communal life.
Why We're Here
America's recent awakening around systemic problems faced by people of color caught many of our community off-guard. It also mobilized them. The Jewish Federation of North America saw a need to begin addressing these issues within the organization, and to support others in doing so as well. So let's do this together!
If we are to be a flourishing Jewish community that supports thriving Jewish life for the 21st century, we must ensure that people see themselves in all our organizational leadership and programs and that we lead with our civic partnerships with the same integrity.
Seven Reasons Why J.E.D.I.
I. Human Dignity
We Have a Spiritual and Moral Obligation
II. It is a Fact
We Already are, and Becoming, More Diverse
III. J.E.D.I. is the future - Leaders get ready
J.E.D.I. Leadership Development and Competencies
IV. Flourish
Thriving Jewish Communities is not just about some of us, but all of us
V. Recruitment, Retention & Relevance
Jewish Engagement in the 21st century Depends on it
VI. Culture Wars: America is a hot mess
Identity politics, splintered community noise not nuance, misinformation, fear. Lack of Divine spirit.
VII. We are made for this
The Jewish Tradition has prepared this generation for healing more than any other.
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The J.E.D.I. Syllabus
J.E.D.I. is a 7-unit course, each focused on sharing perspectives, lessons, and actionable ways to incorporate a more thoughtful approach to inclusion within our community.
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Unit 1: Let's Get Started: A Framework
We’ll review the structure of the course, with an overview on racial justice and equity and obstacles often faced in attaining a diverse and inclusive community.
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Unit 2: Why Who You Are Matters: Exploring Identity and Implicit Bias
Before we can better understand how we relate to others, we’ll figure out how social biases, norms, and experiences help us define ourselves.
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Unit 3: Understanding Social Power and Systemic Racism in America
Let’s take a look at how racial inequities in areas like housing, wealth, and the prison system are products of decisions made hundreds of years ago.
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Unit 4: Where do we fit in?: Jewish & Racial Identity
Does being Jew of European descent mean I’m white? Does it mean I’m not? Race, history, and assumptions that shaped American have shaped the Jewish community as well.
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Unit 5: Jewish Racial Diversity and Building a More Inclusive Jewish Community
The Jewish experience is as diverse as the American experience. And fraught with similar challenges. Jewish People of Color share their stories to help chart a path to inclusivity.
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Unit 6: Looking Back to Move Forward: Jews, Civil Rights, and American Identity Politics
Examining a century of Racial Justice Movements, we’ll study the work of Jewish and non-Jewish thinkers as a model for how the US and smaller religious communities can enact necessary change.
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Unit 7: Navigating the Narrow Bridge: Intergroup Relations & Allyship
Putting together a plan of action to incorporate Jewish Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in our communal work, as well as making room for self care and positive mental health practices as we do this challenging work.
The J.E.D.I. Curriculum Core Principles
The J.E.D.I. curriculum has been developed based on five core principles:
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Jewish Tradition and Education
A 3,500 year old heritage of justice
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Mutual Empathy and Compassion
A space to be vulnerable without judgement
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Engagement and Empowerment
Connecting people of different outlooks and experiences, and empowering them to take action
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Collaboration, Relationship Building and Community Outreach
Building coalitions within – and beyond – our communities
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Unity, Not Uniformity
Sharing and exploring our own experiences
Join the Journey
Learn more about the J.E.D.I. Initiative. Sign up for updates, resources, and J.E.D.I. opportunities.