There is a multitude of ways to invest in our world, in making our current reality increasingly just, peaceful, nurturing, and life-giving. Kol Ami, as a sacred community, has set our sites on racial justice, the inclusion of the marginalized in the Jewish community, healing our planet, and a dedication to personal wellness and mental health. No small tasks around these parts. We like to think big. And we are not just paying lip service. We are investing our time, energy, and resources in the betterment of our society. This is religious work. And it needs to be done religiously.
Starting on January 24th Kol Ami is engaging in a 7-week intensive program of consciousness-raising and plan-making in our effort to increase racial justice and inclusion in our world. We will begin at home with our Kol Ami community. We are asking:
Will you be involved?
Will you commit to 7 weeks of learning and engagement?
If you are within a marginalized demographic might you participate and share your experiences with the group?
Dates: 1/24--31, 2021- 2/7-14-21-28, 2021 from 10:00am-11:30am PT
Find the registration link in Hakol our weekly newsletter or contact Admin@KolAmiNW.org
Grounded in Jewish text and values, we’ll be working with two facilitators who are both Jews of color and trained in building inclusive communities. We’ll bring our own personal goals to the class on unlearning racism and practicing inclusion. By the end of 7 weeks, we will jointly develop an action plan for Kol Ami to become more inclusive, social action and advocacy activities we can undertake individually and collectively, and ways to expand this work through multifaith efforts. PLEASE NOTE: for this section, the facilitators have requested a commitment to attend all classes AND taped sessions will be available if you need to miss a date.
1/24 Exploring Diversity in the Jewish Community
1/31 Explore IdentitiesRecognizing,Understanding & Correcting
2/7 Micro-Aggressions/Reconsidering Color Blindness 1
2/14 Micro-Aggressions/Reconsidering Color Blindness 2
2/21 Dig deep in the 4 levels of Oppression
2/28 Systematic Inequity and Equity
3/7 Simyyum/Wrap Up: Where do we go from here.
Racial Justice and Inclusion Facilitators:
Learn more about 3W consulting here: https://www.tamarghidalia.com/3w-consulting
Tamar Ghidalia
Tamar Ghidalia (she/her) is a Jew of Color of Sephardic (Spanish) heritage who was born in Tunisia, fled with her family to France, and subsequently immigrated to Israel and then to the U.S. She has a B.A. in Education and Hebrew Literature from Paris Sorbonne University and a B.A. in Music from the Conservatoire de Paris. Tamar is an educator and professional musician with 30+ years of experience in leadership, mentoring, program building, curriculum development and program management. Most recently, she worked for six years as the Executive Director of Urban Arts Academy, a non-profit serving students, and families through art-infused education.
Tamar is now an independent consultant whose passions include: promoting racial equity, diversity, and inclusion; teaching Jewish texts and culture; using art-infused education to support the healthy development of diverse children and youth; and developing partnerships between organizations to collaborate for success.
Jill Housen
Jill (she/her) was raised in Claremont, CA and received her B.A. from California State University, Long Beach. Early on, she studied French, Spanish, and molecular biology; she graduated in Fashion & Merchandising. She is currently a buyer for a contemporary women's boutique and a loving caregiver for her mother.
Most recently, she is focusing on Racial Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (REDI) work, serving as a REDI consultant for local and national Jewish communities.
Jill completed the 2019-2020 URJ’s (DEI) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion JewV’Nation Fellowship (she is now an alumni) and the Don't Kvetch Community Organizing training through Bend the Arc.
She is passionate about Judaism, sustainable fashion solutions, food, and reggae music, and she believes that coffee is the elixir of life. In her free time, Jill can be found working in her garden, spending time at the gym, and experimenting in the kitchen with vegetarian dishes.
