The 2017 DC Jewish Community survey found that 7% of Jews in our area identify as Jews of Color. We are a diverse community, but how inclusive are our synagogues, camps, and schools?
Join the JCRC and the Washington Board of Rabbis for a discussion with Tema Smith and Kelly Whitehead moderated by the JCRC's Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky on creating and sustaining welcoming spaces for Jews of Color within Jewish communities.
Date & Time
-
Location
Online. A Zoom link will be emailed to you upon registration.
Co-Sponsor
Speakers
Tema Smith
Tema Smith is a diversity advocate, writer and Jewish community builder. She is currently the Director of Professional Development at 18Doors (formerly InterfaithFamily) an organization that empowers people in interfaith relationships to engage in Jewish life and make Jewish choices, and encourages Jewish communities to welcome them. This comes after seven years as a synagogue professional, most recently as the Director of Community Engagement at Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto’s oldest synagogue.
Tema is also a contributing columnist at The Forward whose writing has been published in MyJewishLearning, the Globe and Mail, and the Canadian Jewish News. Tema is dedicated to building a meaningful and inclusive Jewish community through research, training, writing and relational engagement work.
Kelly Whitehead
Kelly Whitehead is a rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion ('24). Kelly grew up in New York City before moving to Washington DC, where she attended undergrad and worked as the Youth Engagement Specialist at Temple Sinai. Kelly participated in the Reform Movement's Jew V'Nation Jew of Color Fellowship, where she learned to create and facilitate Anti-Racial Bias trainings for Jewish Professionals. Kelly now provides trainings and workshops for Jewish organizations looking to become Anti-Racist and inclusive communities.