Let's Talk About Race & Identity: A Conversation about Jewish Family Engagement
Temple Emanu-El, One East 65th Street, New York, New York 10065
Family engagement professionals are invited to join us for a compelling professional development event in partnership with PJ Library in New York exploring race, identity and diversity in the Jewish community.
We are thrilled to be learning with Lindsey Newman, Program Manager, and Julian Voloj, Director of Strategic Partnership and Special Programs, at Be'chol Lashon. Lindsey and Julian will help expand our awareness of Jews as a diverse multicultural people and increase our comfort talking about race and identity. Educators will have the opportunity to build new vocabulary; learn how early experiences shapes our subjective point of view, and reflect on current engagement practices.
Two break out sessions will be offered after lunch:
- A Programmatic Lens with Lindsey Newman and Julian Voloj, Be'chol Lashon
- Understanding Race through Developmental Stages with Rachel Figurasmith, Repair the World
According to the 2017 PJ Library Impact Evaluation, 7% of the 126,000 PJ Library Families (approx. 9,000) in the U.S. and Canada are in a multiracial household. Engagement professionals in New York know the potential is much higher. By 2042 the US will become 50% people of color*, and 70% of non-Orthodox Jews marry non-Jews.** These numbers give us a look into what will likely be a very racially diverse Jewish-family future.
As community builders and Jewish program professionals we want to create Jewish communal spaces that reflect the diversity of the American Jewish community. How do we invite all community members to bring every part of who they are into our programs and conversations? How can we be sensitive to the needs and experiences of all individuals and families? When each of us thinks of "the Jewish people" what image is there? And where did that image come from? Let’s start the conversation and jump in to study together.
Lunch will be served at this event.
For more information please contact Shariee Calderone or Alison Goldberg.
*Data from the U.S. Census
**Data from Pew "Portrait of Jewish Americans" study