The Behrendt Conversation Series

THE BEHRENDT 2020 – 2021 CONVERSATION SERIES Strengthening Our Internal Diversity to Strengthen the Jewish Future

As America becomes more diverse, so does the Jewish community. Recent studies indicate that currently People of Color make up 12-15% of the Jewish community and that number is steadily increasing. Yet most Jewish institutions do not yet reflect this reality. We’re building a road map for Temple Emanuel as a spiritual home for Reform Jews who are diverse ethnically, culturally and religiously. A special Jews of Color Task Force has organized a year of programs, celebrations and trainings for all to experience. Join us in exploring and learning how to enhance the richness of our community. RSVP to Events@tebh.org

Monday, September 28

2:45 pm

Multiple Identities: Navigating Jewish Spaces as a Person of Color and Minority Spaces as a Jew

Yom Kippur Contemporary Issues Forum

Rabbi Bassin will moderate a conversation with April Baskin, Former Vice President of Audacious Hospitality for the Union for Reform Judaism and Emiliana Guereca, Executive Director of the Women’s March Los Angeles about the nuances of navigating multiple minority identities. Is it possible to feel at home? What are the common joys, challenges and experiences of Jews of Color? What are the barriers the Jewish community creates for members of the tribe who are not white? How do we take on anti-Semitism in some minority coalitions? Come learn from two renowned experts in exploring these tough questions. Monday, September 28

4:30 pm

A Prophetic Dilemma: The Book of Jonah Through the Stories of Jews of Color

Yom Kippur Afternoon Reflections

When God charged Jonah with sharing a difficult truth with the people of Nineveh, he knew he was in a tough spot. Does he avoid the conversation to not ruffle feathers? Does he speak up and invite backlash?

Jonah’s challenge comes to life through the voices of members of our Temple Emanuel community who will share their own experiences in answering the same dilemmas that Jonah faced. Three Dates Throughout the Year: See Below

Diversity Gym with Gamal Palmer

Sisterhood November 5 ChaiVillage December 8 Temple Emanuel Community January 10

We get better with practice— whether it’s exercising our muscles or studying to expand our minds. It’s also true of strengthening our skills in addressing bias and prejudice. Join Gamal Palmer, Jewish Federation of Los Angeles Executive Vice President as he leads us in Diversity Gym. It’s an interactive workshop that invites participants to consider their own journey and the journeys of others in understanding how prejudice manifests today. Participants explore topics that often go unspoken and practice interacting with challenging conversations in an exploratory, self-educational way. Friday, January 15

6:15 pm

Martin Luther King, Jr. Shabbat Unplugged

As we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., join our Scholar-in-Residence Ilana Kaufman as she details an increasingly diverse Jewish communal future and what it means for communities like ours. With an inspiring sermon on Friday night and a text study on Saturday morning, Ms. Kaufman will root our year of work in Jewish tradition. Ilana Kaufman is the founder of the Jews of Color Field Building Initiative.

To learn more, visit tebh.org/Behrendt

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Our congregation is proud to support the amazing activism and volunteer work spearheaded by members of our community. Our social justice group, Na'aseh "Let's Do This!" partners with organizations that tackle such issues as assisting refugees in greater Los Angeles, homelessness, and tenant rights. We have ways to get you involved through hands-on volunteering, mentorship, fundraising, and advocacy. To learn more about getting involved, visit tebh.org/SocialJustice.

Pandemic Lunch Drive / Emergency Community Drive Ongoing during COVID-19 Want a contactless way to help the most vulnerable populations during COVID-19— the houseless of Los Angeles? Participate in this Pandemic Lunch Drive and/or Emergency Community Drive for our fellow Angelenos without homes. Join us Sunday Mornings as we make sack lunches for those in need. Email MichelleAzar@me.com for more information. Voter Postcard Campaign With OneLA-IAF, Temple Emanuel, in conjunction with Temple Isaiah and ChaiVillageLA has been partnering with the Religious Action Center and the non-partisan campaign, Reclaim Our Vote to encourage people of color to register and vote in states where voter suppression is most active. From sending postcards, to phone banking and texting through Election Day, there are many ways to get involved. Please email Janet Noah, jln24620@gmail.com or Diane.Vanette@mac.com for more information.

OUR SOCIAL JUSTICE PARTNERS...

The Esperanza Immigrants Rights Project Assisting unaccompanied children, families, and individuals striving for a better life in our community. Temple Emanuel members support several major projects within Esperanza. Last year, the focus was on the Esperanza Baby Shower and Esperanza Emergency Fund. The successful baby shower provided twenty-one young women with needed baby supplies and training. Most of these women were themselves unaccompanied minors. The Esperanza Emergency Fund provides assistance to clients whether it be emergency food, transportation costs, clothing or other general supplies. Many of the supplies contributed during the High Holy Days go towards this fund.

OneLA-IAF Addressing Homelessness and Mental Health in the Los Angeles Area Temple Emanuel has been a member of One LA-IAF since 2004. As a multi-faith coalition of churches, synagogues, non-profits, schools, and clinics, we are committed to civic measures for justice. We do this work, building sustainable power, by listening to each other, building relationships within the institution, across institutions and with elected officials making decisions that impact our lives.

The Major Fund Muslim And Jewish Collaboration for International Relief Work MAJOR Fund is a global humanitarian organization. This past year, the focus has shifted slightly to immigrant and COVID relief. Major Fund hosted a Tiyya Foundation dinner, catered by Tiyya's own Flavors from Afar for recent graduates of NewGround's Professional Fellowship.

Imagine LA Helping and Mentoring Homeless Families Members of Na'aseh continue to mentor a young mother and her children who recently moved to transitional housing in Los Angeles.