Racial Justice
Racial Justice
The Racial Justice Committee is chaired by a coordinating committee: Jennifer Bruml, Kathy Gordon, Julia Lager-Mesulam, and Bob Brown. Please contact any of the co-chairs with questions or comments. Contact Bob Brown, who can add you to the Racial Justice Committee email list.
The committee's goals are to:
- promote equity and inclusion in our congregation
- educate ourselves and the broader Havurah community
- disseminate information about anti-racist practice to other Havurah committees
- partner with existing social and political organizations
- identify opportunities for broadening Havurah's racial justice work, with a focus on criminal justice and policing
We ground our work in the Jewish spiritual values of: Kavod (honor, dignity), Teshuva (growth and positive change), Emet (truthfulness), Ometz Lev (courage), and Anavah (humility).
You can read the charter of the Racial Justice Committee here.
Information about the Anti-Racism and Belonging Work Group can be found here.
Tue, May 30 2023
10 Sivan 5783
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Havurah Updates
Hineinu: Opportunities to Come Together, Opportunities to Engage
Hineinu, May 17, 2023
Shavuot Begins Next Thursday Night: Join Us! Celebrate the start of Shavuot with all-night learning and lots of cheesecake!
Shavuot Begins Next Thursday Night: Join Us! Celebrate the start of Shavuot with all-night learning and lots of cheesecake!
Upcoming Events
All Events
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Wednesday ,
MayMay 31 , 2023
Wednesday, May 31st 6:00p to 8:00p
We are holding two sessions of a community support safety briefing for Havurah members. The Wednesday, May 31 evening session will be hybrid. The Sunday, June 4 morning session will be held on Zoom only (Zoom Room Bet). Havurah members are invited to attend either session. -
Thursday ,
JunJune 1 , 2023
Thursday, Jun 1st 7:00p to 8:15p
Rabbi Benjamin will guide students and parents in responding to the text with their own questions and walk through the Shabbat morning service. -
Saturday ,
JunJune 3 , 2023
Shabbat, Jun 3rd 10:00a to 12:00p
Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. We meet in person and in Zoom Room Aleph. Please email Rachel for Zoom info: rachel@havurahshalom.org. -
Sunday ,
JunJune 4 , 2023
Sunday, Jun 4th 10:00a to 4:00p
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Sunday ,
JunJune 4 , 2023
Sunday, Jun 4th 11:00a to 12:30p
We are holding two sessions of a community support safety briefing for Havurah members. The Wednesday, May 31 evening session will be hybrid. The Sunday, June 4 morning session will be held on Zoom only (Zoom Room Bet). Havurah members are invited to attend either session. -
Sunday ,
JunJune 4 , 2023
Sunday, Jun 4th 5:00p to 7:00p
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Sunday ,
JunJune 4 , 2023
Sunday, Jun 4th 6:30p to 8:30p
Please join the Racial Justice Committee for a discussion of the movie Judas and the Black Messiah. (Please watch the film ahead of time; it's available on several platforms.) This is the second film in a series to commemorate Juneteenth. In the film, an FBI informant infiltrates the Black Panthers to keep tabs on its charismatic leader, Fred Hampton. Critics describe the movie as a offering insight into a man and a movement that has been overlooked far too long. Although it takes place in the late '60s, the movie is, unfortunately, very relevant today. -
Monday ,
JunJune 5 , 2023
Monday, Jun 5th 1:00p to 4:00p
We are excited to bring mahjong back to Havurah. It is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. And while some of us may play elsewhere as well, we all agreed that restoring its place as an ongoing congregational activity will be a good fit for Havurah and those of us who play or want to learn the game. So please don't hesitate to join us! -
Monday ,
JunJune 5 , 2023
Monday, Jun 5th 5:00p to 6:00p
Please join Havurah Climate Action Team for ongoing discussion of how to face the climate crisis. We will read "I Want a Better Catastrophe, Navigating the Climate Crisis with Grief, Hope, and Gallows Humor," by Andrew Boyd. Through interviews with prominent climate scientists, indigenous teachers, and sociologists, Andrew Boyd takes us through the process of looking squarely at the crisis we are in, feeling our emotions, and using them to power our response to the climate crisis. Open to members and non-members. Discussions will follow the book. One need not attend all the discussions. For questions, reach out to Michael Heumann or Harriet Cooke. RSVP for updates. -
Monday ,
JunJune 5 , 2023
Monday, Jun 5th 6:00p to 8:00p
A course for transforming our antiracism efforts through Jewish spiritual practice. Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin and María Lisa Johnson Learn concrete Jewish spiritual tools alongside other Havurah members to confront, subvert, and heal implicit and internalized racism within ourselves and others. This course explores the inner work necessary to change our habits of mind, body, and spirit to dismantle racism, in support of whatever organizing, advocacy, and service-work we’re each engaged in. Our core spiritual practice will be Mussar, the Jewish spiritual discipline designed to integrate what the head understands with what the heart feels through daily practice. Participants will be expected to attend every session (as much as possible) and commit to consistent practice in between sessions, including meeting with a learning partner once every other week. This is not an antiracism 101 course, but rather is intended to build on an existing antiracism foundation, so participants need to have an understanding of systemic racism in the United States. Please contact Rabbi Benjamin if you are interested in participating.
Tue, May 30 2023 10 Sivan 5783