The Call of the Shofar: A Prophetic Call to Teshuvah, Anti-Racism & Restorative Justice

WATCH & LISTEN:

BIPOC Shofar Blowing

REFLECT:

The rabbis teach us that Elul is actually an acronym. Each of the Hebrew letters–alef, lamed, vav, lamed–stand for the beginning letter of each word in the phrase ani ledodi vedodi li /“I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.” This phrase is taken from Song of Songs 6:3, and signifies the time leading into the Jewish High Holidays when we are meant to reflect on the relationship between “self” and “others.”

How are you using this challenge to make explicit connections between the Jewish Practice of Teshuvah and your practice of Anti-Racism & Restorative Justice?

ACT.

Try on the following racial justice commitment statement, or create your own based on what you have been learning. What parts of the statement feel true for you personally, and professionally right, and what parts feel aspirational? What action will you take between now and the High Holidays to be able to make this, or your own racial justice commitment statement, true to your anti-racism practice?

Commitment Statement: I am making leadership choices that bring me into deeper relationship with BIPOC-JOC people and communities of color. What resources do I need to avoid White Supremacy habits in my behavior? In my relationships, I am checking in with BIPOC-JOC (including myself if this is my identity) and asking and centering what I/They explicitly say they need. I am using my power, combined with what I learn in relationship with BIPOC-JOC, to amend systems, policies and structures that have enacted harm. I am doing the visionary work of Teshuvah and restorative justice: I am admitting wrongdoing, seeking forgiveness from those I have wronged, and I am committing to changing my behavior so that historical racial inequities are addressed, healed and not repeated. I am building a world and beloved community where we can all experience our basic human right to life, dignity and value.