Thank you, Ruth Jaffee!

can't hear Debbie

This is one of the most significant joint movement events undertaken in many years. Thank you

can't hear Debbie Connection is choppy and goes in and out

Where can others log in on Facebook?

hi Debbie great job

can't hear Debbie Connection is choppy and goes in and out

I’m not having any problems hearing. Very clear.

can't hear Debbie Connection is choppy and goes in and out

Who wrote the song - I know it’s been around for a while

https://www.facebook.com/UnitedSynagogueCJ

No problem with the sound. Anne, this might be a problem with your connection.

Thank you to all who created this incredible program! Debbie, Debby and Ruth: Kudos and more.

If you have your video on and are having audio problems, try turning off your video.

Our connection is great. Maybe individual issues.

I'm having trouble hearing

My connection is also very good.

Just beautiful

Beautiful song!

Always stunning to hear you sing, Marcus!

Phenomenal rendition of "Oh, Freedom"!!!!

How beautiful!

Post CIvil War composer & lyricist unknown

Beautiful!!

Beautiful!! Thank you.

This is lovely, Marques!

Beautiful!

BRAVO!!!!

Bravo!

Wow, Yasher koach <3

Wow. What a powerful rendition of Oh Freedom. Marques, you have such an incredible voice!

Kol Hakavod, Marques!

Yashar ko’ach.

It was wonderful, Marques.

y’asher koach

Thank you, Marques!

Bravo! Yasher Koach, Marcus!

That was beautiful

Yasher koach - gave us chills. Just beautiful

Beautiful rendition. Thanks to Marques for singing so powerfully!

Yasher koach! and, how awesome to have the incredible Ruth messinger here to guide us... light upon light

Beautiful, Yaher Koach!

Deeply moving! Thank you for singing. And yes, as Ruth reminds us, study is important because it leads to action!

From Marcia Saltz AMEN!

yes!!!!

Oh Freedom- Post Civil War. Probably in public domain. No author(s) listed. Originally recorded in 1931 as "Sweet Freedom" by a group of gospel singers, Nance Family but has since been recorded by many, Odetta, Baez, others.

It's so inspiring to hear from Ruth Messinger!

I remember a recording of Pete Seegar singing it, with a verse “no more segregation over me”.

Thanks everyone for the facts about the song :-)

I thought we were going to hear Black voices. When does that part start?

I think accountability is important and that is what is going on here....

Gregory...didyou not understand there will be panel

Gregory Saltzman, patience is a virtue.

thank you Ruth

AMEN!!

Gregory has a great point.

What a moving and beautiful charge from a brilliant woman. I heard a program on NPR by a black woman, whose name I am sorry to say I do not remember, who said the black community has no more “time,” that “take it slow” can no longer be tolerated.

Yasher Koah. On the song, see: whatsoproudlywehail.org,, Wikipedia, balladofamerica.org.

Dayenu

Bless you Ruth🙏🏼

Thanks Ruth.

@Gregory: This is a space for both us And allies; we shall all speak <3

Yasher Koach, Ruth <3

Always a privilege to listen and learn from you.

Yasher Koach, Ruth. It is an honor.

Same

Until Howard Zinn there was not much about slavery in HS textbooks.

Same, Heather!

YES

Yes!!!

Gloria, yes, Zinn is great!

thank you so much to everyone for the privilege of being part of this amazing event

Heather, thank you for allowing yourself to be vulnerable and share with us.

seconding Tamar

you said what needed to be said and needed to be heard. Kavod Ruth

Thank you Ruth for your message. It was moving and powerful.

Shalom, Yasher Koach, and Todah Rabah, Ruth. Quite Blessed with those Powerful Words. Shabbat Shalom <3

Yes, Yael, you’re spot on!

Beautifully stated Heather; thank you for speaking

What Debra said.

Wow Heather.

clapping hands Heather!!

Thank you, Heather! So grateful for your leadership and honesty.

Heather, you moved me so much!

^^^

Thanks, Heather

Is a national Juneteenth enough? What else should we be doing to promote racial justice?

Very true!

Thank you, Heather. We appreciate you, we see you, and we hear you. We all came here because we want to hear and listen - and do the right things in response.

always !!

yes Doc Meika, yes sis,kavod!!! spot on

preach!

As a woman, a lesbian and a Jew, I have more fear these days when traveling than I have in some time.

clapping loud Meik

Thank you Tameika

Proud to know you, Tameika!

No, Sally, it is not enough at all. There should be reparations, an end to racialized violence, an end to racism in health care and so much more. Thank you, Tameika!!

you speak for us women who have not been able to voice our pains and struggles for many years...

Just Some people wish to improve... others call us revisionist around True Historical accounts... :/

yesssssss

Kendell, collective memory...such a touchy subject. Thank you for making us think about that!

Thank you Dr Minor! And Kendell, so real and helpful; thank you!

thank you Kendell, well said

thank you Kendell--so articulate and reminder that's needed, over and over!

Thank you Kendell!

Thank you Kendell

I'm in Texas and have never understood why we celebrate enslaved people being kept in bondage for 2 years AFTER the Emancipation Proclamation

While it is natural for people to compare their experiences to JOC experiences. It is important to remember that this experience/ presentation should be centered on JOC voices and experiences. It stands alone.

Thank you!!!!

While it has been acknowledged that Jews are good at creating stories, but what would be the most impactful action for the Jewish community to take for Juneteenth?

yesssssssssssss

SPEAK

Rafi, what an amazing story! Thank you for your work!

USY is so looking forward to this!!

What a beautiful and wonderfully well-spoken panel! Thank you all!

Thank you Rafi

We can't wait to see the impact that the JOCISM Cohort has! Thank you, Rafi!

I am delighted to be attending this wonderful event.

Rafi Forbush has been an inspirational part of my life for 35 years He will make this project a major success and bring honor to out people

AS THE JEW OF COLOR IN USY in Hagesher along with my brothers, the RESPES FAMILY along with very few families were in USY!! AWFUL

I FELT SO ALONE AND SECLUDED

@Yael: I sent you a direct message; see it?

But the entire Jewish community has to take responsiblity for this, not just leave it to JOC

@Jilana: Indeed; Thanks Much <3

Racheal, no, I will look into it

Thank you all, for your vulnerability and honesty. It is an honor to have you representing the voices that have so much to contribute!

Rafi, you made a resonating statement that could resonate on Juneteenth: We must "extend the tent"! Everyone is invited and welcome-- and particularly the African American descendants of slavery. The legacy of African American slavery on this side of the "pond" must be pushed back against and put behind us. I am hoping that JTS and Conservative synagogues will become part of that effort.

USY could have been a much better experience but never felt fully welcomed.thank you Rafi, Heather, Kendall, Heather, entire panel for being our voice

well said Doc Tameika❤

Thank you Heather, Kendell, Raffi and Tameika! Your messages brings greater understanding to the Juneteenth experience. Thank you!

microaggressions

@Alexis: Yeah...^^

Eloquent and said with beautiful levity.

Gratitude for your making this moment so critical. Giving the running theme of “one” and special attention” in your community, how can your community become more inclusive on a one to one and outward to the Sepharitic community. Appreciate.

Exactly, they feel pushed away

Rafi, as an educator engaged in music, would you consider inviting Drake the rapper to one of your classes to talk about his experience as a Jew of color in the rap world?

I have a friend who said she is one foot out the door due to just what Kendell and Rafi just described...

“Extend the Tent” is an incredibly perfect phrase. There’s a song, poem, play,or a ritual it.

@Leonard: Love that Question! Perhaps same with Lenny Kravitz?...

Rafi, I love your name, same as my son. lol. you are speaking our truths, thank you. I feel for our youth...as a former USY Advisor, I am sad for our young kings and queens

Hi @Yael Farr! I sent you a private message, hopefully it went through!

Lifestyle of Systemic Change- Beautifully expressed.

Rafi, huge hand claps for what you’re saying about what we take away from this!!

I want to share this with others, in my synagogue, etc--will we get a link to the recording? please....

We must ALL advocate for acceptance and inclusion... not just in our shuls, but in all aspects of life!

And we love your being Jewish, Rafi!

I am so appreciative of this conversation. And thank you Kendell for explaining that "thing" where I have to interview to prove that I belong in Jewish spaces. I have internalized this since I was a kid but I've never explained or said it out loud. I feel empowered.

As Jews, we must do better to be inclusive. We must welcome all Jews, Jews of color, LGBTQ Jews. Everyone!!

`Me! I attended it in Bloomington IN.

#2 from the Bloomington series. Hi Victoria :)

Hi Rachel!

Agreed, Heather!

Yes we will circulate the recording afterwards, along with some other opportunities for folks to take up Rafi’s challenge and keep engaging as a lifestyle of systemic change.

Heather, you are saying nothing but the truth. Thank you

Yes Heather!! Have those uncomfortable conversations!! Thank you.

yesss, spot on. so hurtful

we have to do better tribe

Love the term and concept of “bagelling! “. How do speakers feel about the privileging of Yiddish lingo when ENglish(our national common language) or even Hebrew. ( the language of the modern state of Israel) would be more inclusive. Myself, I feel it’s a turn off to those who don’t have a connection to Yiddish for any number of reasons including families who were German speakers but no affinity for Yiddish

Rafi's mom was a great mom

is

Don’t forget the layer of sexism that women, especially women of color, experience everyday too.

Wonderful conversation! Thank you. What books are you suggesting?

yesss Tracy!!!!

Can links to those organizations be shared in the chat?

Book: White fragility by Robin Deangelo

To Elisabeth’s point - or Non-Ashkenazi jews where there are other languages - not Yiddish

yessss❤

We will share resources in the follow up email that will go out tomorrow

Also Jews In ALL Hues!

Thank you to all the speakers for you powerful stories and excellent insights. Your collective honesty and generosity is greatly appreciated.

Yes! JIAH!

love you Doc Meik

Heather—you, and the rest of the panel, are speaking powerfully and reflecting the experiences of many Jews of Color.

For Canadians - Jews of Colour Canada

tokenism

“Racial battle fatigue”

Racial Battle Fatigue, another brilliant term

It is a fine balance for White Jews to try to make people feel welcome but not tip into “Bagelling”. It is also scary on that side that we are causing offense

I encourage you all to learn about and support Jewish Multiracial Network https://www.jewishmultiracialnetwork.org

@Jilana yes

Please include Bechol Lashon in the list of resources. My child has been going to their camp for Jews of Color for many years.

Jews of Color Initiative (https://jewsofcolorinitiative.org/)

And Repair The World too

Thank you to the panel for baring your inner selves and allowing us to see how the greater Jewish community has thoughtlessly unintentionally hurt so many blacks in our community. Your perspectives give us all an opportunity to take the learning back to our communities and ensuring this does not happen anymore...Many many thanks for your honesty and transparency.

@Sherri, Ann: https://jewsofcolorinitiative.org/https://globaljews.org/https://www.ammud.org/about

thank you Racheal

You may also want to use Jewish MultiracialNetwork’s Kaddish for Black Lives on this Juneteenth Shabbat. You can find it here: https://www.ritualwell.org/ritual/kaddish-black-lives

Honoured <3

Another book Heather mentioned is Caste by Isabel Wilkerson

wow...powerful

And How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X Kendi

Mediocre by Ijeoma Oluo

@Jiliana, yes, indeed: Besides Judeo_german (Yiddish) there have been other European Judeo- (languages, eg Judeo Italian, JudeoSpanish,, not to say nothing about Jewish languages from outside Europe, etc. Our congregations’ practice to mainstream/privilege Yiddish is almost always at the expense of “seeing” these other historically important parts of Jewish culture write. Large.

2 snaps with a twist! well said!!

Thanks to all for the organizational resources.

My family spoke Judeo-Arabic but that generation is mostly gone

Can these resources also be part of the follow-up email?

^^^

Yes, we will share all of these links in the follow up email

yes, retrain the brain

Anyone who would like resources, ideas, and/or connections please feel free to direct message me.

Yes @ Jilana. We must not eviscerate their Contributions by omitting theirCommunities having existed ...

well said Rafi

The photographer Fredrick Brenner once said that all religions are about longing, belonging and exclusion. The thought of a USY for Jews of Color makes me ask whether we will ultimately mutually integrate of exclude each other. Your thoughts/

Even if there are no Jews of Color in one’s synagogue, the way we think about and talk about Jews can become more inclusive which ultimately, we change how people think about “who are Jews” and become a more welcoming to Jews of Color in predominantly white Jewish spaces.

To what do you attribute the unwelcoming attitude towards Jews of Color from some Jews in synagogues and other settings? (aside from they're being part of a white majority that doesn't accept anything different/unknown) One would think that given the history of Jewish persecution throughout history, that most Jews would be more tolerant.

Are there any books that deal directly with the black Jewish racism issue?

I was just invited to work with a couple of those organizations I listed since I am Passionate about this work; Todah Rabah.

@Karen: Can look into that question for you.

At Temple Sinai Congregation in Toronto, we are consistently encouraged to act when things like George Floyd happen

not to just discuss is among ourselves.

yes, Heather!

Clapping Heather

I recommend registering ffor anything in which Heather Miller is a part.

yes, yes, yes!!!

08003

Exactly, there aren't many😰

Read "The Color of Law"

How can we access Heather's series on race consciousness?

Another great book as a resource: Do Better: Spiritual Activism for Fighting and Healing from White Supremacy by Rachel Ricketts

“We are all equal opportunity targets.”

https://www.themultitudes.org/

Also recommend The New Jim Crow

Heather’s series: https://www.themultitudes.org/

Yes, Tracy❤

thanks!

Great suggestion, Heather.

My Grandmother’s Hands

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34146782-my-grandmother-s-hands

Yes, Heather, you're so right. The journey within is uncomfortable but essential.

My Grandmother's Hands, by Resmaa Menakem

Didn’t catch book title — My Grandmother’s…..Thx!Please DO send a reading list.

🙌🏼🙌🏼👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽Heather

My Grandmother’s Hand

Amen v'Amen

Heather’s sons are wonderful humans!

Such a wonderful session. Thank you so much

yes you are DR Minor❤❤👏🏽👏🏽

The Color of Love by Marra B. Gad.

Kendell, put the names of Jewish artists of color in the resource list!!

What is the appropriate greeting from a white ally to a friend of color?

My grandmother’s hands: Racialized trauma and the pathway to mending our hearts and bodies - by Resmaa Menakem (2017)

This is a beautiful and much needed session that I hope continues and everyone takes away the essence of his-story and her-story. Excellent panel.👏🏽❤ Chazak Baruch!!

Kendell - how do we find you!

Thank you all to the panelists for a brilliant program!

Such a superb set of speakers!

Much appreciation to all of the speakers- THANK YOU!!!

I love you all. Yasher Koach!

I have learned much from Kendell's presentations

Yasher koach panelists.

This has been one of the most useful conversations I’ve heard so far! Bravo!!

This has been amazing. Thank you!

Thank you very much—very insightful and powerful—from Toronto—more please and thanks for the book reccommendations

Excellent panel! Thank you so much, all the speakers!

Please send bios of speakers and how we can contact them if we'd like to have them speak in our congregations.

Happy to be in community with you all. Be in touch. Kendell’s JTS email: kepinkney@jtsa.edu

Yasher koach! This was phenomenal!!

yasher koach

Thanks to all!!

GRATITUDE FOR THIS EYEOPENING SGIFT. YALL TURNED IT UP! SPEAK ON!!!HAPPY JUNETEENTH

Thank you to this amazing panel for helping us see you, hear you, and be inspired by you to do this work together.

Don’t leave yet! Please stay on to hear Lauren Williams Rudin sing.

Thx for book title! The sound isn’t always great.

Thank you for this program.

HAPPY JUNETEENTH!!!

Wow and. Thanks

Yasher Koach to all participants!

This was a fabulous program! Yasher Koach to each of the speakers! You are all so inspiring and are making such a difference from your voices. Thank you!

Kol Hakavod to all! Thank you for this wonderful session

Thank you for speaking your truth!

SHABBAT SHALOM L'KOL AM❤

Yasher coach to the panelists- OUTSTANDING!! Such wisdom, insights, and suggestions for going forward! Thank you so much! You are inspiring us for a better future!

And thank you to our friends in Caldwell for hosting and organizing this very meaningful evening, along with Stephanie Ruskay for her amazing work

So many thanks to the panelists. So important especially for our kids who are Jews of color. I want my child to remain part of the Jewish community as he becomes an adult.

Please follow up with a Reading List for attendees like me who want to learn more:)

Thank you to the Agudath organizers and to all of the thought-provoking panelists!!!!

So grateful to our speakers and organisers. Yesher kochachem and may you go from strength to strength!!

Panelists: Thank you for including US by sharing your experiences.

Thank you so much. This has been excellent!

Marvelous program…thanks to everyone especially the panelists.

And thank you Rabbi Lucas for moderating. Yasher Koach!

Thank you panelists!!! You opened our eyes and hearts

Bravo to the Agudath Israel Tzedek committee! I am proud to be in the same community with you!

Preach, Rabbi Ari!

Thank you all, including the organizers, profound and moving and panelists

Todah Rabbah for this outstanding program & the outstanding panelists! Thought-provoking, articulate, insightful.

I’m listening. Thank you all

Thank you to the panelists for your honesty, vulnerability, courage, wisdom and presence tonight.

Thank you all, Heather, Tameika, Rafi and Kendell. And to Ari, as well. Such a well done presentation.

Shabbat Shalom

Brilliant, engaging speakers. Thank you all!

amen❤

Thank you, panelists, for your honesty and directness. It is much appreciated.

Yashar Koach to all. Great program. Thank you.

Have a meaningful Juneteenth all!

@DePrator: Beautifully Said :)

Thank you all!

I want to thank each panelist for sharing much to think about!!!!

Is the JOIN program only for USCJ members?

@Rabbi Stephanie: I would love to work and participate.

I don't do twitter but I am interested in follow up

https://www.jtsa.edu/the-catastrophist-a-theatre-talkback

@lisa- JOIN runs their course regularly, open to all. Rabbi Ruskay is running USCJ specific cohort.

Do we have to be part of a Conservative Synagogue to participate? I’m a member of an Independent (unaffiliated) synagogue.

Here’s the link: https://www.jtsa.edu/the-catastrophist-a-theatre-talkback

Representation❤❤❤❤👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Yasher Koach, All Panelists and Organizers <3

Beautiful Laur, love you sis❤ My tears are forming❤

Stimulating and thought provoking presentation

Thank you all

Beautiful Lauren!

Beautiful singing!! Thank you, Lauren!!

Brava!!

thank you Lauren!

Wow!!

Thank you!

Brava!

A wonderful, inspiring program.

read: James Weldon JOnes, --wrote this song:

This has been a deeply inspiring evening. Thanks to everyone who participated and planned.

Thank you all, so much to think about

LAUREN!!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Todah robah everyone <3

Thank you all!

The autobiography of an Ex-Colored man. James Weldon Jones--wrote this song.!

I think you sign up for a waiting list for the conservative movement cohort of JOIN with me here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJZ5DarK24NqakzABzwdm_m7FtazNd85ZRqb15vA1jDpK9RA/viewform

xoxoxo B'vakasha Lauren

though we’ll do more official launch shortly.

my email address is struskay@jtsa.edu If you want to find a way to start moving this work forward, I would be delighted to find a time to speak individually.

Todah Rabah, Rabbi Ruskay.

Amen!

Every aspect of this program from beginning to end was awe inspiring. Yasher Koach to all who made this evening possible.

Thank you for a beautiful event!