SOJOURN's Statement Against Racism

Judaism teaches the idea of tzedek, or justice, for Jews to pursue. Although the circumstances of police involved murder are complex, there is simplicity to being outraged. We can and should be angry. In cities across the U.S. people are speaking up, peacefully. The question we are left with is how loud and how often do we need to speak? What is the remedy for us to be seen, taken seriously, and change the systemic racism in our country?

As members of the Jewish and gender and sexually diverse communities, SOJOURN will continue to fight for equity for all those struggling. We understand and feel the suffering of the people who feel unseen. People of Color who are Jewish and/or queer have felt alienated within our own communities for far too long. We have witnessed pain, disappointment, mistrust and hopelessness.

• We commit to being intentional, mindful of every decision and its impact on people of color.
• We commit to recognizing our biases.
• We commit to educating ourselves and passing on that knowledge.
• We commit to listening – a lot.
• We commit to sharing our experiences to reach better understanding.
• We commit to practice humility because we can’t know everything there is we can do.
• We commit to modifying our actions according to the needs of the community and what is morally right.
• We commit to speaking up when we observe overt, covert, or internalized forms of oppression.

We stand together in the pursuit of justice. We must take care of ourselves and each other in that quest. The teaching by Hillel states, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me. If I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?” Now is that time.

“Justice, justice shall you pursue” ~ Deuteronomy 16:20. צֶ֥דֶק צֶ֖דֶק תִּרְדֹּ֑ף