1st Annual Juneteenth Celebration Brings WHC Community Together

The nation’s newest federal holiday, Juneteenth recognizes the day that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas were finally informed that the Civil War was over and that they were now free. On June 17, Washington Hebrew and our Jews of Color affinity group hosted a special Shabbat service with a number of guest speakers and congregants from other temples in attendance. The community-building continued following the service with a wonderful meal, and the weekend concluded with the screening of the film, “Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America” at the Edlavitch DC JCC.

These events wouldn’t have been as successful as they were without the incredible support of our co-sponsors Adas Israel Congregation, Bet Mischpachah, B’nai Istrael, Fabrangen, Mosaic Visions, OneTable, Temple Micah, Temple Sinai, Linda & Jonathan Greenblatt, Karen & Brendan Herron, Joan Kuriansky, Laura Loeb & Howard Morse, and Marla & Bruce Schulman.

Additionally, WHC received an amazing amount of media coverage for our efforts, being featured in both local and national press.

• ‘Delightfully uncomfortable’: Commemorating Juneteenth at 3 Shabbat events (The Forward)

• On Juneteenth, Jewish communities are reckoning with their own attitudes on race (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

• In D.C., Jews of color consider intersectional survey (Washington Jewish Week)

• Josh Maxey & Rick Woler Discuss Juneteenth & Pride Shabbat Celebrations (WJLA, Good Morning Washington)

Finally, Josh also took over our Instagram feed on Friday and shared a little bit about his day getting ready for the celebration.