Expand Jewish Diversity Leadership

Hello Family, Friends and Friends of Friends!

I have an amazing opportunity to do three weeks of Jewish Learning at Pardes in Jerusalem this summer!

I'm asking my friends and family to chip in to help cover the cost of my flight. If you have an extra $1, $5, $15, $20, $50, $100 to help, I will be very grateful.

Since converting to Judaism almost 5 years ago extensive Jewish learning has always been a goal. I have often toyed with the idea of going to rabbinical school and spending 3 weeks of learning at Pardes will help me figure out if rabbinical school is the path that I want to take to not only further my Jewish education, but also to further the work at making our Jewish Communities more inclusive to Jews of Color, Multiracial Jews and Multiracial Jewish Families.

So, maybe you're wondering how helping me do learning helps the Jewish community's diversity problem (and yes, there's a problem acknowledging Jews like me!) Well, I think that it has to do with our Torah roots and helping other Jews find that diversity in our central, sacred text. 

As a Jewish Diversity advocate, I often use my Jewish knowledge to help learned Jews think about Jewish diversity via text. And I'm often one-upped because my Jewish learning isn't on par. I also truly believe that while Jewish continuity is dependant on Jewish Leaders of Color, many of us who are non-Orthodox face obstacles at obtaining the Education and learning to help make us even better leaders.

So yes, this is a personal trip. I want to connect to my Judaism. And it's a communal trip because I want to use what I learn to move the work of Jewish inclusivity and diversity awareness forward.

The Pardes Summer program is in early July. I am covering the cost od the program as well as the cost of livong and am asking you to help with the cost of the flight.

I will be sharing what I learn on my blog, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts and would love to bring you on this journey with me. After the trip I plan to use the knowledge I've gleaned to further advocate for Jews of Color in our Jewish communal spaces.

So what do you think? Can you give up a latte to help with my flight to Jerusalem?

Thank you!

Xoxo

Erika

P.S-I want to acknowlege that there are many other more important causes out in the world and if it is in your heart to give to them instead, I send you there with love and appreciation!