MLK Day: Building an Inclusive Jewish Community

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In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Jewish Community Foundation is proud to highlight some of the exceptional work led by and in support of Jews of Color in our community and nationally. We’ve asked leaders to share descriptions of their work and how it’s helping to engage the full breadth of our community so that everyone feels included and represented.

From Yolanda Savage-Narva
Vice President, Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)

Communities of Belonging EIN 13-1663143
The Jewish community in North America and around the world is diverse in many ways. According to a 2020 Pew Study, 15% of American Jews between the ages of 18-29 identify as people of color. In another study conducted by the Jews of Color Initiative, up to 20% of the Jewish population in North America identify as people of color.

As a Black Jewish woman with multi-racial family members, my vision for the Jewish community and the community at large is an ecosystem that embraces everyone through the lens of B’Tzelem Elohim (in the image of G-d) and is one in which every person feels a true sense of belonging. As the Vice President, Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Communities of Belonging for the Union for Reform Judaism, I am honored to have a role in which I can work towards my vision of creating communities of belonging both nationally and locally in the Greater Washington area.

The work we are set to embark upon in 2025 is truly exciting. The URJ REDI COB team is working locally with a generous grant from the Federation of Greater Washington to engage Jews of Color through Shabbat dinners, retreats and community town halls to create communities of belonging. We will also be working nationally with selected congregations and summer camps to pilot an equity indicator to create the foundational elements of a community of belonging.

With your support we can help all Jews feel deeply connected to our community; planting seeds in the Greater Washington community and scaling the work nationally. Everyone in our community deserves a place where they can be seen, heard, and valued; where they feel a true sense of belonging.

From Joshua Maxey
Jews of Color Affinity Group organizer and SEA Change leader, Washington Hebrew Congregation

Community Juneteenth Celebration EIN 53-0196646
For many Jews of color, the experience of “othering” within Jewish institutions is a painful reality. While the Jewish community prides itself on its emphasis on inclusivity and belonging, this ideal is not always reflected in practice, especially regarding the intersection of race and Jewish identity. Jews of color, who often navigate a dual identity as both Jewish and members of marginalized racial groups, can find themselves invisible in predominantly white Jewish spaces.

Over the past several years, Jewish organizations in the area have been working toward a more inclusive future, one where all Jews, regardless of their race or ethnicity, are celebrated and seen. One of the most meaningful steps in this journey has been establishing initiatives to highlight the voices and experiences of Jews of color.

In 2021, my colleagues and I at Washington Hebrew Congregation helped create an annual Juneteenth Celebration in partnership with several local organizations. This event, now a cornerstone of our efforts to build a more inclusive and welcoming community, gathers local Jews of all backgrounds for a meaningful Shabbat service and a community film screening. The event is a unique opportunity to reflect on the history of African American freedom, while also elevating the lived experiences of Jews of color.

The celebration is a powerful reminder that the Jewish community is not monolithic. In our shared history and struggles, we must also remember that our community is diverse, made up of individuals who come from various ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds. Jews of color, including Black Jews, Asian Jews, Latinx Jews, and others, have long been part of the beautiful mosaic that is Jewish peoplehood. However, our stories and contributions have sometimes been marginalized or overlooked in traditional narratives.

By hosting a Juneteenth event that includes a Shabbat service and a film screening, our goal is to educate and provoke conversation about the diverse realities of Jewish identity. These thought-provoking films showcase the stories of African American freedom and often highlight the history of the African American community and the Jewish community working together for justice and equity.

The Juneteenth Celebration is part of a broader movement in the Washington, DC area, aimed at fostering a Jewish community that is truly inclusive and reflective of the diversity that exists within it. While the work is far from over, the celebration of Juneteenth offers an important starting point for continued dialogue, understanding, and action.

The work does not stop with events like Juneteenth. To truly create an environment of belonging for Jews of color, the Jewish community must take a proactive stance in amplifying our voices and investing in our experiences. One key way to do this is by ensuring that the stories of Jews of color are being heard—not just during special events, but as part of the everyday fabric of the community. This can be achieved by creating platforms where our voices are central, whether through leadership roles, educational programs, or storytelling initiatives that authentically represent the diversity of the Jewish experience. For these initiatives to thrive, equal access to funding must be prioritized.

Programs aimed at promoting belonging are often underfunded or lack the resources necessary for sustainability. The Jewish community in Washington, DC, must actively invest in initiatives led by Jews of color or those that center our experiences. Equal access to funding is crucial. By investing in these efforts, the broader community can ensure that the voices of Jews of color are empowered to create lasting change within the broader Jewish world.

This is the type of Jewish community we should strive for — a place where all Jews, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background, can experience the warmth, acceptance, and belonging that is the cornerstone of our community.

From Dee Sanae,
Founder, Mosaic Visions

Mosaic Visions EIN 85-2310242
Mosaic Visions was born in 2020 from a vision grounded in Dr. King’s enduring belief that hope is a necessary condition for social transformation. Our flagship program, Spirit of Humanity (SOH), emerged during the isolation of the pandemic and has blossomed into a movement that illuminates pathways of understanding through creative dialogue, reflecting King’s profound belief that people are made for something better.

Through our work, we catalyze social change by cultivating sacred spaces of connection where historically overlooked voices, particularly Jews of Color, come together with diverse communities to share experiences and wisdom. The Spirit of Humanity events represent a new model of engagement – one that embodies King’s philosophy of personalism, recognizing that ultimate reality is found in the unique personality and story of each individual who shares their truth in our space.

At our recent December 2024 event at Eaton DC, I witnessed the power of King’s vision come alive as multigenerational participants shared their souls through various forms of expression. In these moments of raw authenticity, we saw what King knew to be true – that human nature is essentially good, and when given the space to connect authentically, people naturally move toward understanding and unity.

What makes our work particularly vital in today’s climate of division is our focus on connecting at the soul and spirit level. We create spaces where hope flourishes not as mere optimism, but as King saw it — as a necessary foundation for social transformation. Through our innovative programming at Mosaic Visions, individual stories illuminate universal truths, embodying King’s belief in the power of personal narrative to transform society.

Looking ahead, our vision continues to expand. We’re developing virtual gatherings and fellowships to ensure these vital connections grow between events. However, we face significant challenges in securing sustainable funding, particularly for initiatives that center Jews of Color and create meaningful dialogue across communities. These vital perspectives often fall through the cracks of traditional funding structures, leaving crucial voices unsupported.

To realize this vision of unity and transformation – this beloved community that King envisioned – we urgently need your support. Our work requires sustainable funding to continue creating these sacred spaces where Jews of Color and other historically marginalized voices can share their wisdom and experiences. Your support will help us expand programs like Spirit of Humanity throughout the DMV area and beyond, ensuring that these vital perspectives are not just heard but properly valued and sustained.

Beyond financial contributions, we welcome partners who can offer sacred space partnerships, professional expertise, and community connections. The sustainability of our work requires a comprehensive network of support to ensure that historically overlooked communities have consistent access to these transformative experiences.

As we carry forward King’s legacy of hope and his belief in humanity’s essential goodness, Spirit of Humanity and all of Mosaic Visions’ programming stand as living testaments to the power of connection in manifesting that dream. We are creating spaces where diverse voices are celebrated, where understanding flourishes across generations, and where human dignity shines through authentic expression. Your support helps ensure that Jews of Color and other marginalized voices have the resources and platforms they need to share their vital perspectives and contributions.

Join us in awakening the spirit of shared humanity.

From Jess Greenblatt Seeley
Co-Executive Director, JOIN for Justice

The Jewish Organizing Institute and Network (JOIN) for Justice EIN 04-3617885
JOIN for Justice is a national force in the Jewish social justice world, having trained almost 10,000 Jewish leaders. Co-led by a Jew of Color, JOIN is at the forefront of developing the next generation of Jewish leaders, especially Jews of Color (JOC), through its groundbreaking Jews of Color Organizing Fellowship (JOCOF) Program.

Many are unaware of the unique experiences and strengths of JOCs, who frequently face isolation and exclusion in both predominantly white Jewish and People of Color (POC) spaces. JOCOF is designed to address these challenges by providing the training, mentorship, and community support JOCs need to become effective leaders of Jewish communities and social justice organizations.

Here’s what makes JOCOF a game-changer:

  • It’s a year-long fellowship currently offered in four cities across the country that combines virtual and in-person training, Jewish learning, and livable wage positions at leading organizations.
  • The curriculum is focused on community organizing skills, leadership, Jewish wisdom, and content specifically for JOCs, all while emphasizing resilience and combating burnout.
  • JOCOF builds powerful networks between JOCs, deepening their connection to their Jewish identity and establishing a lifelong community of leaders.

With its innovative approach, JOCOF is cultivating a thriving, diverse, and just Jewish community, ensuring that the voices and experiences of JOCs are not only heard but also driving real change. With your support, JOCOF can continue to grow its impact across the country, reaching more JOCs and helping build a more equitable and inclusive Jewish community and world.