Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter
Kol HaLev has joined over 400 Jewish synagogues and organizations that signed this declaration: Jewish Organizations and Synagogues say: Black Lives Matter
We are Jewish organizations and synagogues from across the racial and political spectrum; from different streams of Judaism; whose members trace their lineage from countries around the world.
We speak with one voice when we say unequivocally: Black lives matter.
We are Jewish organizations and synagogues from across the racial and political spectrum; from different streams of Judaism; whose members trace their lineage from countries around the world.
We speak with one voice when we say unequivocally: Black lives matter.
We support the Black-led movement in this country that is calling for accountability and transparency from the government and law enforcement. We know that freedom and safety for any of us depends on the freedom and safety of all of us.
There are politicians and political movements in this country who build power by deliberately manufacturing fear to divide us against each other. All too often, anti-Semitism is at the center of these manufactured divisions.
There is a long history to these attempts: during the Southern Freedom Movement of the 1950’s and ‘60’s, conspiracy theories were used by white supremacists attempting to delegitimize the extraordinary organizing of Black activists. Billboards were erected smearing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a communist, signs and flyers claiming that “communist Jews” were behind the civil rights movement were common, and pro-segregation organizations like the John Birch Society popularized these lies.
Black Lives Matter, the recent uprisings across the globe in the wake of the murders of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Rayshard Brooks, and so many others, and the decades of political organizing across the country that have led to this moment are movements led by and for Black people. We see through any attempt to suggest otherwise by pointing fingers, scapegoating, or using anti-Semitic dog whistles.
As Jews, we know how dangerous this is: when politicians target Jewish people and blame us for problems, it leads directly to violence against us. When Black movements are undermined, it leads to more violence against Black people, including Black Jews.
Anti-Semitism is part of the same machinery those politicians use to blame Black and brown people, people who are immigrants, people who are Muslim, and more. But whether they generate division and fear based on our religion, our skin color, or how long we’ve been here, their goal is to keep us from working together to win the things we all need to survive and thrive.
When Jewish people join together with our neighbors across racial and religious differences, as we have in the past, we can protect each other and build the future of freedom and safety we all deserve.
Jewish tradition teaches us that justice is not something that will be bestowed upon us, it is something that we need to pursue, and that the pursuit is itself sacred work. We’ll show up for each other every time one of us is targeted because of our differences, and reject any effort to use fear to divide us against each other.
The Black lives matter movement is the current day Civil Rights movement in this country, and it is our best chance at equity and justice. By supporting this movement, we can build a country that fulfills the promise of freedom, unity, and safety for all of us, no exceptions.
Wed, February 8 2023
17 Shevat 5783
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Reconstructing Judaism
This past October, a minyan of Black Jewish leaders embarked on a historic pilgrimage to the Equal Justice Initiative’s National Memorial for Peace and Justice and neighboring Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration in Montgomery, Alabama. As a first of its kind, the Reconstructionist Movement organized the trip focusing exclusively on American Jews of African descent grappling with the United States’ foundational sins and the necessary work for healing and teshuvah.
Join us virtually Thursday, February 9, 7:30 p.m. for Deconstructing Racism to Reconstruct Judaism: The Story of a Pilgrimage Down South as the leaders from the pilgrimage share powerful stories from their journey with a public audience for the first time. Registration is necessary for the link.
Join us virtually Thursday, February 9, 7:30 p.m. for Deconstructing Racism to Reconstruct Judaism: The Story of a Pilgrimage Down South as the leaders from the pilgrimage share powerful stories from their journey with a public audience for the first time. Registration is necessary for the link.
Black Lives Matter
Kol HaLev has joined over 400 Jewish synagogues and organizations that signed this declaration:
Jewish Organizations and Synagogues say: Black Lives Matter
We are Jewish organizations and synagogues from across the racial and political spectrum; from different streams of Judaism; whose members trace their lineage from countries around the world.
To read more, click here.
Chesed Network
Could you use some help? Would you like to be of help to someone else in our Kol HaLev community in their time of need? Our Chesed volunteers provide short-term practical help, such as preparing a meal for a family, giving a ride to someone, paying a visit, or making a friendly phone call.
Please let us know if you are in need of support, and/or if you would like to be a part of our Chesed team by contacting Laurie or Shira.
Please let us know if you are in need of support, and/or if you would like to be a part of our Chesed team by contacting Laurie or Shira.
KHL - Please Join Us
We are located in The Church of the Holy Comforter (CHC), 130 W. Seminary Avenue, Lutherville 21093. All Friday and Saturday Shabbat services are handicap accessible. For directions to the Shul please click here.
Wed, February 8 2023 17 Shevat 5783