This virtual learning session convened by the Avodah Institute for Social Change in partnership with the Black Jewish Liberation Collective will focus on how to shift away from isolation and towards community building, and share how addressing antisemitism is a key part of the movement for racial justice.
Come learn how we can overcome this moment of fear through inspiring conversation from leaders in the field. Taking place on Monday, June 26th from 7-9pm Eastern, this free event will feature an opening panel and breakout rooms on the following topics: how to talk about antisemitism with your non-Jewish neighbors; how to have intergenerational conversations about antisemitism; and how to teach about antisemitism to Jewish teens.
Attendees will learn from Jewish communal leaders, scholars, and activists including:
Jonah S. Boyarin is a D.E.I. consultant, writer, Yiddish translator, and born-and-raised New Yorker. He has taught and written for many years and in many settings about antisemitism, using an intersectional lens. In 2015, Jonah co-founded the first-ever Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program at a Jewish day school, at the Jewish Community High School of the Bay. In 2020, the Jewish Week named him one of 2020’s “36 under 36.” Jonah always roots for the underdog, except when it comes to his beloved NY Yankees.
Kohenet Shoshana A Brown, LMSW is a healer, educator, and organizer. They organize as an abolitionist and is a cofounder of the Black Jewish Liberation Collective and a member of Jews for Racial and Economic Justice where they host Beyond The Pale, a radio show on WBAI 99.5FM. As an educator, Shoshana works as the US Director of Pedagogy and Training for the Diaspora Alliance and has a long history of working as a Restorative Justice Practitioner, NYC High School Social Worker, adjunct professor at (CUNY Hunter) Silberman School of Social Work, syringe exchange program director and forensic social worker. She has facilitated and planned conferences and convenings of more than 200 prison activists, smaller workshops and retreats on the Paulo Freire methodology, social work engagement, trauma, and group work. As a healer, she is trained in Reiki I and weaves earth based spiritual practice into Judaism through her training from the Urban Atabex and Kohenet Institute for Hebrew Priestesses.
Nate Looney is Jewish Federations of North America’s Director of Community Safety and Belonging on the Jewish Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (“JEDI”) Team. He is an American Jewish University alum, social entrepreneur, diversity strategist, US Army Veteran, and Urban Farmer. Nate is a Jeremiah Fellow, and an alum of several Jewish leadership programs, including Bend the Arc Selah and A Wider Bridge. He is also a Wexner Field Fellow and serves as a board member at Urban Adamah, A Wider Bridge, and JQ International. Nate is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion both in North America and internationally. In his free time, Nate enjoys creating international wellness experiences for people of color and most recently led a men’s resilience convening in Tulum, Mexico.
Rabbi Salem Pearce (she/her) is Director of Spirituality at the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL). She was ordained by Hebrew College Rabbinical School in 2018 and previously served as Executive Director of Carolina Jews for Justice and Director of Organizing at T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. She is a noted speaker and writer on immigration and the Jewish community, and her writing has appeared in JTA, Ha’aretz, Sojourners, and Sh’ma. While in school, she was a student fellow with Rabbis Without Borders, American Jewish World Service, and T’ruah. Rabbi Salem lives in Durham with her cats, Akiva and Tuvi.
Gamal Palmer is a Global Diversity and Inclusion Specialist for clients such as Schusterman Family Philanthropies, JAFI, Leading Edge’s Board Member Institute, Housing and Urban Development, NBCU and Nike. He also is a lead faculty member at the Avodah Institute for Social Change.
Questions? Contact us at institute@avodah.net.
If you would like to join us as a co-sponsor of this event, please fill out this form.