By Liora Brosbe, Jewish LearningWorks Senior Educator
At the end of March we welcomed 23 educators to our 2-part virtual program, Intersections: Latin Jewish and Multiethnic Family Engagement taught by Ariela Ronay-Jinich, MA.Ed., founder and Executive Director of Olamim.
After the events of October 7, educators have been focused on the impact on their students and community. We have mobilized to support them, yet for us, this moment is also a critical opportunity to engage educators in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We not only seek to incorporate best practices addressing the needs of the local, Jewish community, but also to expand our understanding of the intersectional nature of diversity.
Ariela reminded us that within the population of Latin Jews, there is diversity too! “Latin Jews are a diverse people of multiple heritages (racial, cultural, linguistic, national, religious) and experiences. Latin Jews are likely the second largest Jewish diasporic group in the world (after North American English-speaking Jews).” Ariela’s charge for Jewish educators is clear: Jewish Latino families are here and ready to participate in Jewish life, but should not have to decide between which identity they want to bring to these spaces; make spaces where they feel welcome to bring all of who they are.
“Programs that center and include families’ intersectional identities offer families unique contexts for belonging, growth, and learning. Often, language is a primary way parents hope to pass on Latin identity.” Ariela challenged us to see how languages (such as Spanish, Portuguese), cultural idiosyncrasies, and diverse stories can be included in our programs. In doing this, we create environments that welcome families to live their identities, without putting the labor of sharing and educating others on them.
“That workshop was incredible — I learned so much and had some of the most fruitful discussions with peers that I’ve ever had in these Jewish professional development spaces. Thank you for providing the opportunity!” -Alex Lyon, Youth Education Program Director, Beth Am
Educators attended that work with learners of every age, and spanned all of Jewish communal life:preschools, congregational schools, day schools, Hillel and JCCs. Educators joined us from the Bay Area, as well as WA, AZ, and NY.
Everyone left inspired to try something new, from adding relevant books to their classrooms to building meaningful relationships with Latino Jewish families in their communities.
“Loved the writing prompts, opportunities to speak with colleagues, and the prereading was incredibly transformative, impactful, and healing for me. Thank you for creating liberatory theory and practice.” -Yael Sacks, Learning Specialist, Beit Rambam Day School
Resources for further learning and Engagement:
An Integrative Report from the Bay Area Jewish Community Study
Jewish& | Jewish Diversity Stories
Subscribe to Olamim newsletter
Youtube Link: Latinx Jewish families intro Bay Area
Passover Supplement: Edición Jewtina (bilingüe)
The newly released Season 4 of the VOCES podcast
Beyond the Count: Perspectives and Lived Experiences of Jews of Color
