Temple Sinai is holding close our Asian American and Pacific Islander congregants, friends and families in the aftermath of a year of increased racist abuse and the terrorist attack in Atlanta. As a multiracial community, we stand in solidarity against anti-Asian racism and bigotry and affirm our commitment to being an antiracist synagogue in both word and deed. Temple Sinai is a member of Communities United Against Hate which is sharing information about the Virtual Action Day #STOPASIANHATE on March 26th.

Temple Sinai strives to be antiracist. To be antiracist means, in part, to view events and choices through the lens of how actions impact people of color including Jews of color. Seen through this lens, the insurrection at the Capitol was a racist act with racist impact. January 6th was a stark moment of mob violence, the perpetrators of which were mostly White. Such mob violence has been used to silence and control people of color in the United States since its inception. Historically, mob violence was frequently encouraged and permitted by politicians and law enforcement, not unlike what was seen on January 6th. In multiple ways, the events highlight institutionalized systems of racism, including sustained efforts to suppress Black and brown votes, and a culture of White supremacy.

Witnessing the violence on television had a profound impact on those who have experienced generations of racist violence and control. Witnessing the confederate flag and the noose had significant impact. While some may not understand that race was central to the insurrection, these signs and symbols, and the response of law enforcement demonstrate otherwise. The stark contrast between the force used against Black Lives Matter peaceful protestors and the treatment of this White supremacist mob was particularly jarring. The presence of swastikas and antisemitic slogans evoke a history of hatred and violence against the Jewish people. This further amplifies the impact for Jews of color, specifically Black Jews who live at the intersection of these identities.

To be antiracist, we remember why we say Black Lives Matter. Black and brown votes and voters matter. We hold our Sinai members of color closer because Jews of color are feeling the compounding impact from the racism Black and brown mothers, grandfathers, and great-grandparents experienced along with the last four painful years of anti-Black, antisemitic, and anti-Latino/a/x political action in its many forms.

May this be a moment when we as a Jewish community, with our diverse histories and experiences of antisemitism and racism, come closer together with deepening resolve to support our whole community and to center antiracism.

Black Lives Matter is a Jewish Value

Temple Sinai wholeheartedly embraces the Reform Jewish Leadership Statement: Black Lives Matter is a Jewish Value. Temple Sinai also has joined over 500 synagogues and Jewish organizations in declaring our support for “the Black-led movement in this country that is calling for accountability and transparency from the government and law enforcement.” Read more here.

At this momentous time, we affirm our commitment to being an antiracist synagogue and to the ongoing, sustained work of dismantling racism in our institutions and society.  Our clergy are here to support our Black congregants and all those who identify as Jews of Color and people of color, always and especially now. The Multiracial Sinai Committee, whose mandate is to guide Temple Sinai in becoming an antiracist synagogue, is also here as a resource, to offer affinity spaces for people of color, and to provide opportunities to work as a multiracial community to identify what our temple can do better. For those who want to learn about race and antiracism, Multiracial Sinai offers a facilitated discussion group on Building Racial Stamina in Jewish Community.  This is an important learning opportunity, especially for White congregants looking to develop skills for talking and thinking about race effectively.

In this time of great pain and compounding trauma for Blacks in America, the committee members of Multiracial Sinai want to share our frustration, fury and sorrow as the Temple Sinai community grieves and condemns ongoing racist violence against Black lives and bodies. As a multiracial group, at this time Multiracial Sinai is first attending to the experience and needs of Black members of Temple Sinai and the broader DC community, including our beloved Black family members, kin, friends, neighbors, and partners.

We are also continuing the work of guiding Temple Sinai in being Antiracist. In How to Be an Antiracist, Ibram Kendi defines Antiracism as a “powerful collection of antiracist policies that lead to racial equity and are substantiated by antiracist ideas.” Those ideas hold that “racial groups are equals in all their apparent differences.”

During the month of June, we will host a program to reflect on racism in our society. We will also be continuing the six-week discussion groups about racism that we initiated last fall, Building Racial Stamina in Jewish Community. More information to follow.

As a Reform Jewish community, we can and must act to fight racism, center and support our Black members and leaders, and commit to sustained action guided by the sanctity of Black lives.