Showing events on February 18, 2017

February 18, 2017 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Dr. Martin Luther King stood within the particular of his Christian faith and reached outward in brotherhood to people of all faiths for the sake of a "worldwide fellowship" for justice. For generations, the biblical commandment from Deuteronomy 16:20 "Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof," "Justice, justice shall you pursue," has inspired Jewish social justice leaders - many of whom energized and helped shape the civil rights, women's rights, environmental, workers' rights and antiwar movements of the last century.

What does hearing the call to justice mean for contemporary Jews? How can Jewish text and tradition support us in shaping our commitments to racial justice? What can we look forward to in contemporary efforts to realize this obligation across the diversity of religious and spiritual affiliations that comprise contemporary Jewry and the sisterhood of faiths?

In these challenging days and times, where the four corners of our world are crying out for healing, justice and repair, join Yavilah McCoy for an exploration of music, Jewish text, and the inner and outer journeying toward justice, deeper equality, and more beloved community.

Part of the Jewish Communal Leadership Program's "WHAT NOW? Communal Conversations for Unreasonable Times" a weekend of provocative study and discussion that can help us meet this challenging moment. Programs run February 18th and 19th, and feature diversity educator Yavilah McCoy and Rabbi Benay Lappe.

RSVP here »

Yavilah McCoy is the CEO of the international diversity consulting group, VISIONS Inc. in Boston[bl1]. She is also the founder of Ayecha, one of the first nonprofit Jewish organizations to provide Jewish Diversity education and advocacy for Jews of Color in the United States. Yavilah is an educator, activist and spiritual teacher that has worked extensively within multi-faith communities to increase racial justice and expand equity and inclusion. In celebration of the musical traditions passed down to her from three generations of her African-American Jewish family, Yavilah is also the writer, producer and performer for the Jewish Gospel theatrical production "The Colors of Water."

Presented as part of the Frankel Speakers Series with the generous support of the Covenant Foundation.   Co-sponsored by Jean & Samuel Frankel Center for Judaic Studies, Michigan Hillel, Department of America Culture, Dean's TBLG Matters Initiative, and AHAVA.