Who We Are
The Judea Reform Congregation (JRC) Racial Justice Equity & Initiative (RJEI) team has come together to ask how we, as American Reform Jews and members of the JRC, can work to pursue deep and meaningful conversations and actions to actively pursue racial justice for our congregants and neighbors. As a team, we have gathered to pursue tikkun olam and answer the call issued to us as Jews in Deuteronomy 16:20: Tzedek, tzedek, tirdof!
Our Work
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We launched a successful postcard writing campaign in partnership with the Reproductive Justice Team, the Center for Common Ground (a non-partisan, Black- and women-led voting rights organization founded in 2018), and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. This initiative provided tools for communities of color to fully participate in the 2024 elections to mobilize voters of color—both those who regularly vote and those who have not exercised their right to vote. The success of this campaign was linked to broad participation by our congregation along with others in the surrounding areas.
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In partnership with You Can Vote and Carolina Jews for Justice, we hosted an interfaith training session for voter registration.
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We participated in several phone banks aimed at increasing minority voter participation and reproductive justice.
We Have Continued To
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Offer our congregants opportunities to participate book talks, group engagement at museums and historical sites, as well as screening and discussions of films to stimulate conversations about and increase the awareness of racial injustice.
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Connect our members with opportunities to learn about and participate in the Reform Movement’s (URJ’s) Racial Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) training programs.
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Connect our members to the URJ's Religious Action Center for events, advocacy and action in Washington.
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Connect our members to non- partisan efforts in our community and beyond related to voting rights, civil rights and justice and equity work.
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Lift up organizations in the surrounding communities and volunteer at programs, including Families Moving Forward.
Join Us
We meet on the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom For more information on the JRC’S Racial Justice & Equity Initiative, please contact Jordan Wade, staff liaison.
