Engage in Racial Justice

Bigotry takes many forms. As Jews we have experienced it for centuries. Now, we need to better understand the racial struggles across America. Together, we can make a difference, but we need to start by listening and learning. This resource list is just a beginning. But every journey must begin somewhere.

Our sages taught “the day is short, the work is long. We are not required to finish the task but neither are we free to desist from it.” (Pirke Avot, 2:21).

We approach this work with both humility and determination. We can learn to do better. And we will.

Here’s a great place to start your learning.

Articles to Read

11 Things To Do Besides Say 'This Has To Stop' In The Wake Of Police Brutality, by Brittany Wong

21 Racial Microaggressions You Hear on a Daily Basis, by Heben Nigatu

Guide to Allyship, by Amélie Lamont

The Intersectionality Wars, by Jane Coaston

Tips for Creating Effective White Caucus Groups, developed by Craig Elliott, PhD

What We in the Black Community Need From Jews Right Now, by Anthony Johnson

White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, by Peggy McIntosh

Who Gets to Be Afraid in America?, by Ibram X. Kendi

Your Black Colleagues May Look Like They're Okay — Chances Are They're Not, by Danielle Cadet

Jewish Federation Statements on the Death of George Floyd

Books to Read

Between the World and Me, by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness and the Politics of Empowerment, by Patricia Hill Collins

Colorblind Racism, by Meghan Burke

How to Be An Antiracist, by Ibram X. Kendi

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, by Brian Stevenson

My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies, by Resmaa Menakem

Slavery By Another Name, by Douglas Blackmon

Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, by Ibram X. Kendi

The Broken Heart of America: St. Louis and the Violent History of the United States, by Walter Johnson

This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color, edited by Cherríe Moraga and Gloria Anzaldúa

White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, by Robin Deangelo

White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide, by Carol Anderson

Witnessing Whiteness: The Need to Talk About Race and How to Do It, by Shelly Tochluk

Podcasts to Listen To

Intersectionality Matters! Hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw

Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast Hosted by Chevon and Hiba

Scene on Radio – Seeing White Series Hosted by John Biewen and collaborator Chenjerai Kumanyika

Wholly Jewish Podcast, hosted by April Baskin

Videos to Watch

13th

CBS News Analysis: 50 States, 50 Different Ways of Teaching America's Past

Dear White People

How to Deconstruct Racism, One Headline at a Time

If Beale Street Could Talk

Just Mercy

Selma

Test Your Awareness: Do The Test

The Disturbing History of the Suburbs

The Hate U Give

When They See Us

Webinar Recording: Juneteenth: What's It All About? (June 19, 2020)

Webinar Recording: How Should We Be "Talking About Race?" (July 13, 2020)

Webinar recording and resources from Supporting the Social Safety Net and Advancing Racial Equity (August 6, 2020)

Webinar Recording: The Price of Whiteness: Jews, Race and American Identity (Aug. 26, 2020)

Union for Reform Judaism: Video messages from Deitra Reiser, Yolanda Savage-Narva and Evan Traylor and a discussion guide for the videos.

Resources for Parents & Educators

Black Oppression and Resistance

Culturally Responsive Curriculum Scorecard

Fighting in the Face of Racism

George Floyd, Racism and Law Enforcement Table Talk

Social Identities and Systems of Oppression

Talking About Race

Community Racial Justice Checklist and Racial Justice Resource List from the Union for Reform Judaism

Resources Focused on Jews of Color

'Believe Us': Black Jews Respond to George Floyd Protests, in Their Own Words, by Josefin Dolsten

I Helped Coin the Term 'Jews of Color.' It’s Time for a History Lesson, by Shahanna McKinney Baldon

In Light of Rising Anti-Semitism, Rethinking Black-Jewish Relations, by Carly Pildis

Jewish Diversity, with Ilana Kaufman

Michael Twitty on the Connection Between Jewish Food and Soul Food

Our True Colors, by Marra B. Gad

Writings by Tema Smith

Be'chol Lashon

"Racism is man's gravest threat to man — the maximum of hatred for a minimum of reason."

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

We Are In This Together

These are not simple issues. But we will do whatever is needed until these battles are won. We will educate ourselves. We will ensure the security of all. We will come together with people of all races and religions to do the hard work that has to be done. Hineni. We are here.