Let my people GO! #BlackLivesMatter

Black Lives Matter is not a moment, but a modern day Civil Rights Movement that has evolved into a Global revolution. Supporting this movement goes beyond a charter, or political viewpoint, or the three women who started the hashtag movement, it is about our commitment to living our Jewish values.

Our Jewish values include:

Rachamim (compassion & empathy) – We remember because we study and learn the past. We say never again because we understand what happened and take actions to prevent another Holocaust. We know what it feels like to be oppressed because of the stories of our ancestors. From Egypt to Europe, some of us know the arduous journey of seeking liberation. Every year we remember our journey during the holy days of Purim, Pesach, and Sukkot. In this current day movement of liberation, we must have empathy for those who are systemically oppressed like we were in Egypt, Africa, and Europe. We must have compassion for the Black people in America crying out for freedom and justice. We must never forget our own struggle for freedom from slavery and fight for survival. We must have compassion for the lives at risk due to racism and modern day slavery.

Kehilla (community) – Black Jews are part of the Jewish community and their lives are at risk. Living our Jewish values requires us to care for the spiritual, physical, emotional, and financial needs of Black Jews. In this movement, some of our community members are dying because of ignorance, hate, complicity, discrimination, oppression, and injustice. Our peoplehood is to value every person in our community and to ensure that no one is devalued. Additionally, as members of our national and global community, we must care for everyone and ensure all lives are valued and protected.

Kavod (respect) – Everyone should be treated with respect and dignity regardless of race, color, ability, identity, etc. Our differences should not divide our fight for humanity.

B’tzelem Elohim (created in the image of G-d) – We are all created in the image of G-d and therefore if we say we honor the almighty, we must also celebrate the G-d in all humans.

Ahava (love) – We all bleed the same color blood and every life is valuable. When one group’s life is threatened and their very existence is at risk, we must demonstrate the most profound love by fighting for their life. If we say we love Adonai with all of our heart, soul, and might, and we are all created in the image of G-d, then we must love one another like we love G-d. Deuteronomy 6: 4 – 5

Living Torah

When we understand that as Jews supporting human life is to say that Black lives matter, we are not getting caught up on the “words” listed on a website or sheet of paper, but focusing on the need to save humanity. To use words that are not universally adopted as an excuse to not support human life is contributing to the racism that is killing Black people. Many Black people don’t even know or care about the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS). Many are not focused on Israel or Palestine because they are suffering in America and fighting to survive and thrive in the USA.

The movement for Black lives has evolved from the original language to a more inclusive platform with intersectional purposes that include not just ending police brutality, but addressing other systemic issues that impact human life like quality healthcare, equitable education, income equality, and prison reform among other things. Supporting the Black Lives Matter movement (BLM) is a mitzvah included in the Torah.

As Jews living Torah, we are commanded to tzedek, tzedek tirdof (Justice, justice thou shalt pursue). (Deuteronomy 16:20)

The BLM movement is focused on the pursuit of justice. It is our duty as Jews to do the right thing. Doing what is righteous is fighting for life and liberty for all humanity.

“It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other & support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.” – Assata Shakur

You shall not be partial in judgment; hear out low and high alike. Decide justly between the Israelite and the stranger alike. Take no bribe, for bribes blind the eyes of the discerning and upset the plea of the just. Justice, justice, shall you pursue. – Exodus 23:8

We must not allow anything to sway our pursuit of justice. We must remain focused on justice and not empty words. There is no impartiality when it comes to following the moral path of doing what is just. We must not allow our own internal biases and confusion to blind our eyes to fight for justice for humanity.

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Core commandments noted in the Torah is to not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor (Leviticus 19:16) and to love your neighbor as your self (Leviticus 19:18).

Living Torah during this revolution is to get up and fight for humanity. It is not to bury our heads in the sand or sit on our couches hoping that this too shall pass. Torah commands us to take action to love our neighbor. It is understanding that love is a verb and human kindness must be demonstrated to our fellow brothers and sisters. We must take actions to end systemic racism and not stand idly by as others’ lives are at risk and people are dying. Our lives are all interconnected and our own survival exists in the fight to love ALL human life.

Exodus 3: 7 – 9

We are experiencing a modern day exodus where Black people are pleading to be liberated from systemic oppression and modern day slavery.

G-d knows the pain of Black people and their cries were heard since they were freed from Pharoh’s stronghold in Egypt. Their wails were heard as they experienced the pain of chattel slavery and their screams were heard during the Civil Rights movement not too long ago. Now they are shouting again, and G-d hears their affliction.

G-d has rescued Black people from much oppression and the promise of a land of milk and honey has yet to be realized. Black people are freeish and they continue to persevere in pursuit of G-d’s promises of deliverance and a safe land. G-d sees the people who are the oppressors and knows the hearts of the oppressed. G-d is with us all and the leaders of this Black Lives Matter movement (modern day Moses, Esthers, Miriams, & Ruths), will continue to courageously lead the fight against the present day “Pharaoh” which is the powerful system of racism. As Jews, we must fight for liberation of all of G-d’s creation and shout, “Let my people go!”

Beyond the protesting, marching, and rally cries of, “Let my people go!”, we also know that we must take deliberate actions. For my fellow Jews living our values and Torah, below are a few suggestions to liberate ourselves and others from the mental slavery that perpetuates systemic racism, oppressions, inequities, & injustices.

Personal/individual actions:

1. Study, learn, and build skills to be an active antiracist (read, journal, & get workbooks). Suggested books to start with include, White Fragility, How to be an Antiracist, The New Jim Crow, and The Color of Law.
2. Participate in racial justice discussion groups, workshops, seminars, conferences, multicultural book clubs and private coaching.
3. Teach your children. Have the hard conversations that help them to unlearn the white washed / white supremist lessons taught in school. Focus on facts and diverse perspectives from a variety of people. Talk to your children about what you are reading and learning. Read books and watch shows/movies with your children specifically related to Indigenous and Black history and the current experiences of those people. Have discussions about the media and encourage them to reflect on their learnings. Invest in your child becoming an antiracist now to ensure history does not repeat itself again.
4. Actions speak louder than words. Demonstrate your unwillingness to be complicit and complacent. Allow your children, family, and friends to witness you taking direct actions to end systemic racism.

Organizational/institutional actions:

1. Hire Black Jews in leadership positions in Jewish organizations (including serving on the Board and/or contract work).
2. Engage Black Jews in leading programs and services (especially during High Holy Days).
3. Engage in reparations by providing scholarships, grants, donations, and assistance to Black Jews.
4. Support Black Jewish entrepreneurs, independent contractors, and organizations.