The death of George Floyd and the recent protests and civil unrest have clarified the importance of prioritizing our work for racial justice in Greater Philadelphia.
After George Floyd’s death, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, issued this Statement on the Death of George Floyd on Monday, June 1.
INTERFAITH VIGIL
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia collaborated with the Religious Leaders Council of Interfaith Philadelphia, and the Mayor’s Office on Faith Based and Interfaith Affairs to convene a community wide virtual vigil on Thursday, June 4, which was “attended” by over 650 people. Guest speakers included Rev. Naomi Washington from Leapheart; Dr. Marilia Marien from the Philadelphia Shambhala Center; Quaiser Abdullah from Quba Masjid; Bishop Patricia Davenport of the SEPA Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church; Archbishop Perez from the Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia; Rev. Aldo Siahaan from the Philadelphia Praise Center; Rabbi Eli Freedman from Congregation Rodeph Shalom; Chaplin Betty White from the University of PA Health Care System. Read our remarks here.
CONFRONTING RACISM AS JEWS
The final installment of Confronting Racism as Jews program, in partnership with BZBI, occurred on June 3rd where we facilitated a discussion with Chad Lassiter, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, and they spoke about recent events. Watch all four discussions below.
A CONVERSATION WITH OUR BLACK ELECTED OFFICIALS
Recent outreach to Black legislators on the Federal, State and local levels led to the development of a webinar Reflections on the Moment – Moving Forward Together: A Conversation with Our Black Elected Officials, at which members of our Jewish communities learned about what specific issues those elected representatives have identified as priorities so that the Jewish community can engage in supportive advocacy.
Watch a recording of the webinar here
JCRC’S COMMUNITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS
The JCRC’s Community Council resolved to intensify use of a racial justice lens when addressing domestic priorities and, working with appropriate partner organizations in the Black community, deepen our communities’ understanding of the nature of structural racism and the appropriate legislative, policy and community responses. Action steps include:
- Participate with other JCRCs from across the country to work on criminal justice reform and relationships with the Black Community.
- Continue our advocacy in support of social safety net legislation that benefits not only poor Jews but all under-resourced members of our community.
- Our JCRC affiliated clergy will participate on the Board of Rabbis’ Racial Justice Task Force.
Work with local Black clergy to create a program of deep listening for rabbis and lay leaders of local synagogues. - Engage stakeholders and thought leaders to explore developing a successor program to Operation Understanding where Jewish and Black teens can come together.
- Working with various constituencies in the Jewish community to ensure that our communal institutions are not themselves racist and that Jews of Color feel welcome and a part of our communities.
- The creation of a Racial Justice working group to develop appropriate responses to racial injustice and identify appropriate programs.
RESOURCES TO EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY
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.
Click here to learn more.
Download our Advocacy Guide here and use it to lobby your elected officials for change.
Read the Jewish Council for Public Affairs’ compilation of racial justice and equity resources across a variety of media intended to help you educate yourself and your community.
Read the Jewish Exponent’s recap of BZBI’s program “Confronting Racism as Jews,” which featured our JCRC.
Watch Part One of the discussion.
Watch Part Two of the discussion.
Watch Part Three of the discussion.
Watch Part Four of the discussion.
How Will the Jewish Community Engage to Create a Just Society?
By Arlene Fickler, Chair, Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)
Opposing Racism is a Jewish Issue. Here’s Why.
Journeying Into Civil Rights History
By Adam Garber, Co-chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)’s Domestic Affairs Committee
Read more about our Civil Rights Mission where, on January 12th, about 50 members of our communities embarked on a three-day journey both historic and of-the-moment.
JCRC STATEMENTS ON RECENT EVENT
June 7, 2020 – #JOCsCount: A Jewish Communal Sign On Letter from Jews of Color & Allies
June 1, 2020 – Statement on the Death of George Floyd
April 1, 2020 – Joint Statement of Solidarity by Jewish Communal Organizations
March 31, 2020 – Community Statement Regarding Anti-Asian Racism Associated with Coronavirus