Tag: Ritual

Dreaming the world to come

Posted on by jocsantuary in Announcement

I am proud to have served as the editor for the 5785 Dreaming the World to Come. The planner will begin shipping around Tu b’Av (August 19). I am delighted to offer a friend’s of the editor 18% off discount code TUBAV5785 that is good between August 18 through September 1.

FUN FACT: All three of the editor staff are born in the month of September!

The planner will be a beautiful place to keep your appointments on track during both the Gregorian and Jewish lunar calendar and nourish your spirit with ritual offering from 12 AMAZING contributors! One of the reasons I said yes to shepherding this project was the commitment to feature Jewish people of color, among many other identities, whose creative voices comprise 8 of the 12 contributors.

If you are new to this project, here is a description:

Dreaming the World to Come planner weaves ritual offerings from diverse fonts of wisdom through our Jewish year. It is our attempt to create something beautiful and defiant that shows we are here, fighting to keep Jewishness anchored in resistance, justice, and mystical tradition.

The planner cover invokes the Jewish sea monster Leviathan, who offers medicine needed in these times. Moving through darkness, unperceived; the fugitivity practiced by those whose existence has been criminalized and controlled. The Leviathan is a friend, lover, and protector of those escaping enslavement and incarceration, those whose perspectives are intentionally buried, whose inherent rights have been denied, who are forced underground for survival.

Beneath the face of the waters, in the depths,

the monster Leviathan lies coiled.

She moves in the darkness;

we cannot see her, yet we feel her power.

Kwanzukkah Reflections

Posted on by jocsantuary in Event
Kwanzukkah attendees pose for a mid-celebration photograph (photo by Christine Ngeo Katzman)

Sixteen people across a wide spectrum of ages and backgrounds came together to create a space where we can bring the fullness of our fabulous Jewish selves, including all of the messiness that makes us each who we are as individuals.

Kwaanzukka was an opportunity to bring all of the intersectional realities that people of color are never allowed to forget, but that is a reality of every life on this planet. Something evident in the rich conversation that ensued after bridging the land acknowledgment into an invitation to name the geographic places referenced at the event. From lands our ancestors originated, whether we had ever stepped foot on that land or not, to the cultural communities connected to the dishes we brought, whether those were our culture or not.

The responses were messy, full, and rich… from EVERY attendee. Affinity space is important. It is also important to have periodic open full-community events where Jewish people of color can show up in our fullness along with all of the people who love and support us, whatever their race or spiritual affiliation. To still center the voices and experiences of Jewish people of color and break down anti-blackness.

Jews of Color Sanctuary has done national virtual events which have been deeply meaningful for me. However, Kwanzukkah may be the only time I have ever felt like every part of me was welcome at an in-person event where I live. A simultaneously heart-breaking and exuberant statement. I lead this work because I need it in my life. I know it’s important because I see how powerful this work is in other settings across the country. Special thanks go to the JCRC and Federation for understanding the importance of creating events like this, and especially to each attendee… we created this space together and it could not have happened without you.

Jews of color… what kinds of events would be meaningful for your lives? Allies… please let the Jews of color you love know that JoC Sanctuary is their local resource and an opportunity to plug into the national networks of Jewish people of color from many backgrounds who are claiming their right to celebrate their Jewishness with the rest of their fabulous selves. We’re here for us.