DISMANTLING RACISM FROM THE INSIDE OUT

I have long been a fan of mussar as a Jewish spiritual practice that can help us strive to be better versions of ourselves through concentrated reflection and practice. Like in the ways we practice math, life, or Judaism. We like to say practice makes perfect, but it really makes better.

That first mussar group for me was in Cincinnati at Lloyd House organized by a beloved ally. I loved it AND there were also moments when it was clear that my experiences as the lone black participant were just too far removed for the rest of the group to really be able to hear. Fast forward several years to Israel where my studies led me to a deeper connection to Chasidut, not as something that others did, but aspects of my own practice which had always been there. Skip ahead a year to my first mussar group in an all-black Jewish setting… life changing!

That mussar group was facilitated for the Black Jewish Liberation Collective by Dismantling Racism from the Inside Out (IOWA), a project of Inside Out Wisdom & Action (DRIO). While a personal practice, mussar benefits from group support elements that fulfill a witness and accountability partnership role which feels important to me. This was the element that had been missing in my first mussar experience. Falling in love with mussar through my first experience despite lacking community support testifies to the power of this practice. Finding community made mussar even more magical.

It is with this deep personal knowing that I am proud to announce that Jews of Color Sanctuary is partnering with Edot and Kol Or (the Jews of Color (JoC) Caucus of Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA)) in offering an affinity space DRIO Midwest PoC Cohort that will start November 7, 2023. This course is intended to build on an existing antiracism foundation–this is not an antiracism 101 course. This will be a unique and important opportunity to build relationships and infrastructure among Midwest Jewish people of color communities which often doesn’t happen with the value bias that keeps focus and resources in coastal Jewish communities.

As our thoughts and preparation shift toward 5784 acknowledgement of collective sins and our community need to address wrongs and work towards building the world of tomorrow today, I invite you to join us. There is no better way to bridge the concepts of betzelem Elohim, tikkun olam, and not standing idly by than honing the ancient Jewish wisdom of mussar in service of our anti-racist work. The words of a past participant speaks to the power of this program better than anything else.

Allies too can support this project in a variety of ways. JoC friends and family always need your kindness and loving support especially while one is actively engaged in dismantling internal racialized systems of oppression. Ask how the va’ad is going, plan regular check-ins, share your own anti-racist journey reflections. And, if you have the ability, you can contribute financially to the materials and facilitator fees, through the cohort registration portal, which will make the accessible sliding scale of this va’ad possible.

Joyful L’Shana Tova!^)