Special Projects

For more information on these projects contact  Jalsa

Jews of Color Leadership and Engagement Initiative

The Jews of Color Leadership and Engagement Initiative offers JoC with a passion for social justice meaningful opportunities to engage with JALSA's work in Massachusetts and beyond. This critical work has been supported by the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable, CJP, Jews of Color Initiative, and the Jewish Liberation Fund.

Programming for the Jews of Color Leadership and Engagement Initiative includes:

  • These hour-long calls to action are held in the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer and feature clergy and BIPOC speakers with expertise in public policy issues impacting communities of color. Participants can connect to how to take action in their states and communities on the issue area discussed.

  • Intimate JoC-led discussions in which JoC listen and learn from each other about policy issues and community organizing strategies.

Young People (20/30’s) Leadership and Engagement Initiative

JALSA's 20s/30s programming engages young Jewish professionals by connecting their Jewish identity with social action and public service. We accomplish this goal through hosting educational speakers and facilitating leadership workshops in partnership with local advocates. We seek to create a fun environment for these connections, and are always developing new ideas to bring people together!

JALSA Curriculum & Workshops

  • "Confronting Housing Discrimination" is a curriculum based on the themes presented in Richard Rothstein's 2018 book, The Color of Law, that explores the history of racially motivated housing discrimination in Massachusetts and its impact on the racial wealth gap.

  • "A Jewish Approach to Climate Justice" explores the global threat climate change presents to the sacred Jewish values of justice, compassion, and stewardship towards the Earth.

  • "Judaism, Reproductive Rights, and Abortion" explores the history of abortion rights in the U.S., the current status of national and state-level law, and connections to Jewish texts, commentaries, and values.

  • "The Intersection of Racism, Antisemitism and White Supremacy - How They Are Connected and Why We Need to Stand Together" explores the connections between racism, antisemitism and white nationalism, and how we can work together to overcome these attempts to divide us.