Tag: JoC Mishpacha Project

JoC family Shabbat-time

Posted on by jocsantuary in Event
2024 JoC Mishpacha Shabbaton Family

Each year I look forward to coming together for a Shabbaton like nothing else, the Jews of Color Mishpacha Project’s annual cornerstone event brings together Jewish people of color and their ally beloveds for in-person spirituality, learning, laughing, and connection. This is a reset that nourishes me from year to year.

In addition to praying and communing together, the kosher Jewish retreat center hosting us is a working organic teaching farm that feeds guests and boasts an outdoor pool, lake, and hiking trails. It is a great place to recenter in nature and community.

There is still time to register and become part of the family.

joyful shabbat

Posted on by jocsantuary in Event, Workshop
From left, participants in the JOC Mishpacha “We Are Family” JOCSM Shabbaton: Maetal Gerson, Avodah Jewish Service Corps Chicago, and Kol Or of JCUA; Denise Dautoff, Jewtina y Co.; Riki Robinson, Jews of Color Initiative; Ari Monts (kneeling); Mackenzie Martinez, Avodah Jewish Service Corps, San Diego; Sabrina Sojourner, co-founding director, KHAZBAR; Erica Riddick, Jews of Color Sanctuary; Deitra Reiser, founder, Transform for Equity; Kiyomi Kowalski, co-founder, Jewbian Princess; and Ramona Tenorio, Tiyuv Initiative.

I feel blessed to be connected with a national network of Jews of color (JoC) and lucky to have experienced JoC majority spaces, even if sparsely. It is joyful to feel community in a way that you know deep in your bones includes you. The JoC Mishpacha Project JoCISM Shabbaton was definitely that kind of event. It was an opportunity to deepen existing relationships and create new ones. I was struck by the harmonies we made together, both in song and the ways we blended needs and customs. It was also a beautiful expression of the crucial role allies play, as family, as friends, as organizations, as symbiotic supporters of this work to create affinity spaces that strengthen so much more than just the Jewish people of color present, but returns with them into their home communities… whether that is across the country or down the street. The weekend reminded me of the importance of the work of JoC Sanctuary and the ability to intentionally create the spaces we need for ourselves.

National Shabbaton inspires Jews of color with the power of connecting as family