Home > Faith in Action > Ongoing Opportunities > SEA Change
“Like many other progressive Jews, I’ve accepted as real the false narrative that simply being Jewish made me a part of the brotherhood against racial injustice.”
Washington Hebrew Congregation continues our partnership with JOIN for Justice to engage our communities in meaningful conversations, critical education, and collective action to address racial inequity internally and in the broader community.
Together with five other local synagogues, we will respond to the call for equity and justice at this moment in our nation’s history.
We are forming the second committed cohort to study and engage together and act as change agents within our congregations and beyond.
Participants will consider historical and current inequalities in our community and our country. They will learn how to identify the areas of racial justice work that are priorities for their respective congregational communities, and will develop the tools to galvanize their communities to work together to realize their vision.
Specifically, this initiative will:
"I’ve determined that as a privileged, White American, I want to help turn back systemic racism. As a Jew, I feel I must do more than want…I need to take some action."
In-person* Orientation and Opening Sessions will allow the group to get to know each other and begin the training phase. Weekly online training sessions and smaller group discussion sessions will cover topics ranging from relationship building to educational components on race and racial equity.
Session 1: Sunday, May 22 in-person* Orientation 2:30-6:30 pm
Session 2: Monday, May 23 in-person* Training 7:30-9 pm
The following sessions will take place from 7:30-9 pm via Zoom
Session 3: Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Session 4: Wednesday, June 8, 2022
Session 5: Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Session 6: Wednesday, June 22, 2022
Session 7: Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Closing Retreat: Sunday, July 10, in-person* 2-6:30 pm
The cohort will receive training and support for a congregational engagement campaign to uncover fellow congregants’ stories and identify areas of interest and visions for racial equity in our communities and beyond.
The cohort members will join Action Teams with other WHC congregants and community organizations to address internal and external change. Currently, initiatives include working with Jews United for Justice (JUFJ) and Action in Montgomery (AIM).
Training Sessions
Ongoing Engagement
*In-person will depend on current guidelines at the time
**Every effort will be made to adhere to the schedule below. However, unforeseen circumstances may occasionally cause sessions to be rescheduled.
The Jewish Organizing Institute & Network (JOIN) is building a powerful field of Jewish leaders capable of effectively organizing for justice, both inside and outside Jewish communities in the U.S. We organize because, in the words of Emma Lazarus, “Until we are all free, we are none of us free”—our destinies are bound up as one. JOIN offers a range of consulting and training services to strengthen the leadership and organizing skills of individuals, institutions, and coalitions across the country.
“Indifference to oppression is just as dangerous as active oppression. This is an idea that has been drilled into every Jew’s head. If we don’t actively fight against oppression, then we support it…We have to fight against the oppression of African Americans.”
The application deadline for SEA Change has closed. Thank you for your interest.