Racial Justice

Emanu-El strives to live out the demand and invitation of our Jewish tradition to pursue justice and heal the broken parts of our world. We are dedicated to continuing our work to make Emanu-El a community that is committed to racial justice and especially welcoming to Jews of color. We aim to ensure safety, equity, and justice within our congregation and in the wider community.

This commitment is not new for our congregation, yet at this moment of national reckoning and consciousness-raising, we have an opportunity to do even more work for racial justice. When we commit to tikkun olam, we commit for the long haul.

In the coming months, we will share with you more about our ongoing efforts to combat racism. At this moment, we are pleased to invite you to join us in several action steps to help further the cause of racial justice in our country, city and congregation. Please join us for one or more of these efforts:

Book Groups
Join Emanu-El Rabbis in one of our Summer Book Clubs: 

How to Be an Antiracist
By Ibram X. Kendi  

Judaism teaches us that study leads to action, and we invite you to join us in reading this award-winning book so that we can all take greater action against racism in our country. The New York Times calls How to Be an Antiracist  “The most courageous book to date on the problem of race in the Western mind.” We are forming several small groups to read the book and come together via Zoom for discussion. Please consider joining one of our rabbis to read this book and learn together.

Young Families Book Group with Rabbi Sarah Joselow Parris, Pre-School Director Nika Greenberg and Pre-School Teacher Abiba Bola
August 5
7:30 pm
Register here.

Young Adults Book Group with Rabbi Jason Rodich and Leah Shapiro
August 12, September 2
6:00 pm
Register here.

Rabbi Beth Singer’s Book Group
August 20, August 27, September 10
12:30 pm
Register here.

The San Francisco Black – Jewish Unity Group
Since early 2016, Congregation Emanu-El has worked with leaders in the African-American community to identify mutual issues of concern. We continue our work of bringing members of the Black and Jewish communities in San Francisco together and deepen relationships between members of our community. Our group meets monthly at the African America Art and Culture Complex, the second Thursday of every month from 6:00 – 7:30 pm. Click here to learn more.

Jews of Color (JOC) and Multi-Racial/Multi-Ethnic Family Gatherings
Led by congregants who identify as Jews of Color, we are convening regular gatherings of Emanu-El members who identify as Jews of Color (of any race) and/or members of multi-racial, multi-ethnic families, to meet each other, share stories, and explore the needs and hopes of our community. The intention is to create a safe space to share thoughts and engage in conversation. We acknowledge that while this need has always existed, it has been magnified recently within our Jewish community and in the broader society at large. Emanu-El is committed to ensuring safety, equity, and jstice within our community and in the wider Jewish community. 

Multi-Racial And Multi-Ethnic Families Gathering
Hosted by congregants, Toni Barba-Salan, Tracy Tilin McKendell, Cantor Marsha Attie, and Tori and Sarah Starks.
Thursday, August 13
7:00 pm
Register here.

Jews of Virtual Color Gathering
These gatherings are being hosted by congregant Kristin Eriko Posner and board member Paula Pretlow.
Thursday, August 27
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Register here.

Advocacy
We urge support these advocacy efforts in collaboration with our community partner, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC):

• Reform of the criminal justice system by supporting the goals of the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 (HR 7120)
• Expansion of voter access by providing vote by mail ballots to all California voters, support (AB 860);
• Reform of historically inequitable laws and policies including:
  • Repeal of California Proposition 209 through Assembly Constitutional Amendment 5
  • Study of reparations by California (AB 3121) and U.S. (HR 40) governments; and
  • Greater inclusion of representatives of communities of color and other vulnerable communities in planning for emergency response in California (AB2054, C.R.I.S.E.S. Act)

Other Resources
For suggested books, podcasts, videos, and films, click here.
For parents with young children, click here.
For parents with children of all ages, click here.