Rabbinic Reflection: Rabbi Jordan Helfman

Are you Jewish?

In one of the must-watch sermons (seriously – stop reading this until you have finished this video: https://youtu.be/FNhG8aW6gbI), Rabbi Angela Buchdahl of Central Synagogue in New York City tells a personal story about race, implicit racism, and the Jewish community.  (The text was picked up by the Forward for those without enough time to watch the full sermon video.)

What you will hear in her sermon echoes the urgency reflected in our own Rosh Hashanah study session, moderated by Rabbi Splansky and Rev. Dr. Anthony Bailey, introduced by Tema Smith with a thank-you and update on our Anti-Racism Groups activities by Ruby Knafo.   It paints a portrait of an unneeded struggle where our Jewish communities often reflect the biases adopted from others.

Last night, our Anti-Racism Reading and Discussion group met in a confidential and supportive group, and began a conversation about the structures of society around us that support racism, in a journey through The Skin We’re In by Desmond Cole.  Please consider joining our next Anti-Racism Reading and Discussion group, which will discuss the whole book on October 27th, and joining for our Women’s Advocacy Group’s learning on  “Unconscious Bias,” on Nov 4, at 8:00 pm via Zoom webinar and on our Facebook page.  The registration is coming soon.

In last night’s US Presidential Debate, implicit bias trainings were painted as destructive to the current social order.  I am so thankful that they are and ask that you please mark the November 4th dates in your calendar.  On this Orange Shirt Day, we know we have a lot of work to do – and we will support each other every slow step of the way.