National Ramah - Seminars on Anti-Racism
“לֹא עָלֶיךָ הַמְּלָאכָה לִגְמֹר, וְלֹא אַתָּה בֶן חוֹרִין לִבָּטֵל מִמֶּנָּה”
“It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to neglect it.”
- Pirkei Avot 2:16
As Jews and as Ramahniks, we need to commit to the difficult work of engaging in antiracism - in learning, having uncomfortable conversations, and finding meaningful ways to act. We know that you, the amazing and committed Ramah tzevet, are in different stages of your journeys toward learning about and combating racism in our country and in the Jewish institutions that have been fundamental to your lives. This summer and beyond, we hope to provide safe spaces to have those difficult conversations, learn about systemic racism from multiple lenses, and broaden our understanding of how we, as Jews and as Ramahniks, can be strong allies and enact change.
Please note that some of the offerings have limited capacity, and all require advance registration. Questions? Please contact Ariel Goodman, National Ramah Program Manager, at ariel@campramah.org.
Previous Sessions
Intersection of Judaism and Racial Justice Seminar
Facilitator: Zach Usmani, Director of Camper Care, Ramah in the Rockies
Dates: Monday, June 22; Wednesday, June 24; Monday, June 29; Wednesday, July 1; Wednesday, July 8; Monday, July 13; Wednesday, July 15, Monday, July 20
Time: 8-9 PM ET
Registration limited to 20
Description: The Torah commands "tzedek tzedek tirdof" ("justice, justice you shall pursue"), and the pursuit for justice and equity for Black people in the United States demands our attention. Join us as we learn about our role and obligation as Jews—of any race—in this movement. We will explore our own identities, discuss our places within systems of power and oppression, learn how to be allies for the Black community, and foster antiracist spaces within the Jewish community.
Building a Community for Action
Facilitator: Jason Sirois, Director of Education Programs, ADL
Date: Tuesday, June 23
Time: 7:30-9 PM ET
This session is for kayitz 2020 rashei edah.
Description: This session is a place for you to share your thoughts, fears, and personal experiences over the last couple of weeks as they relate to the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, the resulting protests, and your work as part of the Ramah Camping Movement. It is also a place to begin building a community of friends and colleagues committed to action.
Becoming an Antiracist: Transforming Yourself and Your Community into Advocates for Change
Facilitators: Rabbi Stephanie Ruskay, Associate Dean, JTS Rabbinical School; Ruth Messinger, JTS Finkelstein Institute Social Justice Fellow, and former President and CEO of American Jewish World Service (AJWS) and Manhattan Borough President
Date: Thursday, June 25
Time: 8-9 PM ET
Description: A frank conversation on what's happening in the world now, how to make sense of it and identifying how you can act to transform the world into a just place for everyone, no matter your starting point.
Mirrors and Windows: Understanding Diversity in Jewish Children’s Literature
Facilitator: Meredith Lewis, Director of Content, Education, and Family Experience, PJ Library
Date: Sunday, June 28
Time: 8-9 PM ET
Registration limited to 25
Description: Children’s books have long been recognized as a powerful tool for teaching difficult and complex topics. Racism is no exception. How do Jewish children’s books play a part in teaching children to be antiracist? What books should we celebrate? What books should be banned? And what criteria would you use to pick books to send to more 650,000 children worldwide?
Systemic Racism in the U.S.
Facilitators: Rachel Wainer Apter, Director of the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights; Rabbi Rachel Kahn Troster, Deputy Director of T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
Date: Tuesday, June 30
Time: 8-9 PM ET
Description: Our presenters will address systemic racism in the U.S. and challenge us to become aware of our own implicit biases as well as our white privilege. How can we address these concerns as Jews, Jewish communal institutions, and on our college campuses?
Antiracism Book Club
Facilitator: Ariel Goodman, National Ramah
First discussion date: Tuesday, July 7
Time: 8-9 PM ET
Registration limited to 15
Description: Join us as we engage with prominent and crucial texts on racism in the US, as well as the intersection of Judaism and racial justice, through a monthly book club. As many of these important books are currently backordered (a good problem to have!), we will begin with Ta-Nehisi Coates’s 2014 long-form article, “The Case for Reparations.”