June 2020
Our country is in pain – we are mourning the senseless murders of Black Americans including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and Ahmaud Arbery. We continue to hear stories of violence against people of color at the hands of the government, the police, and average citizens. If you are angry, outraged, or heartbroken, you are not alone.
And since you are National Council of Jewish Women New York (NCJW NY) advocates we know you are already thinking about how you can make change in this difficult time. The Torah teaches, “Do not stand idly by while your neighbor’s blood is shed.” (Leviticus 19:16). We have a sacred obligation to speak out and to work towards a more just future. The work of making change can feel daunting, and first and foremost we must each make choices every single day to be antiracist.
But, how? As NCJW NY advocates we must commit to antiracist work for the long-haul. To keep us moving forward during this frightening time, here are some helpful resources with some ideas of places to donate, educate yourself, and take action.
  1. Sign NCJW, Inc.’s petition condemning police brutality.
  2. Join a Protest. There are protests all over the city. Join them if you feel compelled to do something physical and if it’s safe for you. If you go, wear a mask, keep a safe distance, and consider downloading and bringing a NCJW #BlackLivesMatter sign (or print and hang in your window)
  3. Donate essential items. Protests and pandemics don’t change the fact that the most vulnerable among us still need essential items. Find the Mutual Aid group closest to you to see what’s needed or where best to drop off the supplies. Check out this database and navigate to the “Local Mutual Aid” tab to find a listing of all the Mutual Aid groups in New York, or visit Mutual Aid NYC.
  4. Donate to a New York City bail fund to support those who have been arrested and cannot post bail, like the Brooklyn Bail Fund.
  5. Click here for a list of New York City Black-led organizations, businesses, and restaurants to support right now.
  6. Attend the virtual event Justice in Action: Police Brutality, hosted by the Marlene Meyerson JCC and co-hosted by NCJW NY featuring representatives from Communities United for Police Reform on June 11th at 2pm ET.
  7. Amplify voices of color by joining the Movement for Black Lives week of action and by lifting up voices of Black and Brown leaders on social media.
  8. Join Dimension’s Jews of Color Community Healing Call that will center those identifying as Black Jews in Minnesota and across the country tonight at 7:30pm ET. Open to all who identify as Jews of Color. Register here.
Remember, this is ongoing work. Being anti-racist is not something to check off a box, but something to work towards every day. Continue to learn, discuss, and to name your failures and learn from them.
The below resources are ways to educate yourself and have discussions with other people around you.
LEARN:
READ:
Articles and Sermons:
Books
LISTEN AND WATCH:
Podcasts:
Documentaries and Movies
  • 13th (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix
  • Dear White People (Justin Simien) — Netflix
  • Fruitvale Station (Ryan Coogler) — Available to rent
  • If Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins) — Hulu
  • Just Mercy (Destin Daniel Cretton) — Available to rent
  • The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.) — Hulu with Cinemax
  • When They See Us (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix