Racial Justice Regional Programs and Explanations Resources for website

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1 Racial Justice Regional Programs and Explanations Resources for website PAR Fall Tikkun Talk: This Tikkun Talk focused on racial injustice in America. We started by looking at two popular songs and what they said about racial injustice from the point of view from African Americans living in today s America. Then we moved into a line and stepped forward/backward if we agreed/disagreed with a statement. At the end of the statements, we put a post-it-note where we were standing to see where everyone was in terms of racial injustice and what everyone has seen/done about it. Then there was a debrief in small groups about reactions and obligations we have as Jewish teens. I think this Tikkun Talk went very well; everyone stayed engaged throughout the program and even continued the conversation throughout the rest of the event. There were many interesting points of views depending on where everyone lived and personal experiences. I wrote this particular Tikkun Talk because I feel it is very important to recognize the racial injustice that exists in our country and schools. Racial injustice did not end with the Civil Rights movement, and with the recent election, I felt it was important to evaluate what have done to stop racial injustice, and that we can continue to do. WINSTY Tikkun Talk: This Tikkun Talk focused on the Civil Rights movement, specifically the March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr. Because WINSTY takes place over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, I felt it was important to look at what he did for the Civil Rights Movement and how that is reflected in America today. For this Tikkun Talk, we did our own march in that we went to different places throughout the temple and looked at different events that happened the 1960 s,: MLK s I Have a Dream speech, an activity looking at racial profiling, and different discussions throughout the march. We also looked at the Women s March on Washington; I felt this Tikkun Talk was important because of the Women s March and how that connected to the Civil Rights Movement, and how they both relate to their respective time periods. I also felt it was important because of the racial injustice that is prevalent on our society, and to continue the conversations from the previous Tikkun Talk. This program also went well in that everyone was able to gain a deeper understanding that MLK s dream is still not achieved, despite the enormous, progressive, steps our country has taken.

2 Anna Keilly is serving her second year on Regional Board as NFTY-PAR s SAVP, last year she was PAR s CVP. Anna is a senior from Lancaster, PA where she is an active member of Congregation Shaarai Shomayim and their TYG, SSTY. She is excited about bringing new ideas around social action, justice, and advocacy to the region this year. She enjoys playing soccer, hanging out with her dog and making arts and crafts in her free time. Tikkun Talk Anna Keilly NFTY-PAR SAVP PPs will walk in and Freedom by Beyonce will be playing. Around the room there will be 5 packets of papers, each will have lyrics to different songs surrounding racial injustice. Freedom, Beyonce Glory, John Legend PL: Welcome to our 4th Tikkun Talk. Today we will be looking at racial injustice and race relation in our country. This topic has become more and more relevant as the Black Lives Matter campaign has come up and police brutality has grown. Racial inequality is still a pressing issue, even if some people chose to ignore it. Today we will be discussing why racial inequality is still a problem and what we can do about it. We are going to start in our groups by looking at the lyrics

3 to the songs that are being played, discuss in your groups: what are these songs saying, and why are they important? The groups will be chosen by the PPs of about 15 when they first walk into New Beit. Activity: PPs will then stand and line the middle of the new beit. Each PPs will have one bright stickynote. After each statement, if the PPs agree they will take a step forward. If they disagree, they will take a step back. At the end they will place their sticky-note where they are standing. Then we will have a group discussion around the marbles. **if space is an issue, send 3-4 representatives from each group to line up in the middle of the New Beit I see racial injustice in my everyday life. I see systematic racism in the news. I see people of color being treated more harshly for misbehaving in school than white people. I believe racism is still alive today. I believe police officers have killed twice as many black men in 2015 than white men. I have done something to change this injustice. PPs will come back together and we will sit in one large circle. PL will ask the following questions. 1. How did the following statements make you feel? 2. As Jewish teens, why do we have an obligation to fight against this injustice? 3. Why is it important, especially in this generation, to fight for an end to racial injustice? 4. Rabbi Akiva says: you should love your fellow as yourself, is a basic principle of the Torah. [Leviticus 19:18, Midrash], how does this quote relate to racial injustice? PL: Thank you all for participating today! I hope you have gained more insight into the racial injustice that is happening in our country. For this event our donation items are going to the Boys and Girls club of Lancaster. This organization is dedicated to providing a positive after school program. Most of the clubhouses are in city areas where children who do not have a stable home, or food to eat for dinner, will go. These children participate in critical programs and services that help them thrive both in and out of school. Throwback Tikkun Talk (TBTT) --Modern MLK March NFTY-PAR WINSTY January 18th, 2017 Anna Keilly NFTY-PAR SAVP , Mikey Pliskin NFTY-PAR PVP Touchstone Text: What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is explanation. - Rabbi Hillel Goals: To understand the importance of the civil rights movement, specifically the million-man march. To understand why civil rights, racial justice and Martin Luther King Jr are still relevant in today s society. Materials:

4 Paper Markers Pencils People: 2 PL 30 PPs Space Needed: Sanctuary Lobby Classroom 1 and 2 Youth lounge Time Table: 00:00-00:02: Introduction to March (sanctuary) 00:02-00:05: Find a Partner/ speed dating circle (lobby) 00:05-00:15: Activity 1 00:15-00:25: Discussion 00:25-00:30: Move to Classroom 1 (Anna)/ Classroom 2 (Mikey) 00:30-00:40: Video 00:40-00:45: Brief Discussion 00:45-00:48: Move to Library 00:48-00:53: Listen/Draw/Write to I Have A Dream 00:53-00:58: Move to Youth Lounge 00:58-01:20: Scale Activity 01:20-01:25: Info on Women s March 01:25-01:30: Walk back to sanctuary/wrap Up Detailed Procedure: 00:00-00:02: Introduction to March (sanctuary) 00:02-00:05: Find a Partner/ speed dating circle (lobby) PPs will pair up and form an inner and outer circle facing each other. 00:05-00:15: Activity 1 PPs will be standing in two circles, one inner and one outer, facing each other. GLs will tell PPs to memorize what their partner looks like; make sure the PPs look at all the small details on their partner. GLs will then ask both partners to turn away from each other and change a small detail about themselves. The partners will then be asked to turn back around and attempt to find the change. The outside circle will then be asked to move two people to their left. The process will be repeated three times total. 00:15-00:25: Discussion 1. Why do some people judge others because of their appearances? 2. How can we act in ways that reflect understanding, acceptance, and tolerance? 3. How is racial profiling reflected in this activity? 4. Do you think Jews are safer because you can't necessarily tell a Jewish person just by looking at someone? 5. What can we do to end racial profiling and judging others? 00:25-00:30: Move to Classroom 1 (Anna)/ Classroom 2 (Mikey)

5 PPs will walk to classrooms and the first 15 PPs will go to Classroom 1 and the second 15 PPs will go to classroom 2. 00:30-00:40: Video PPs will watch this video which shows the first part of the Class Divided experiment. 00:40-00:45: Brief Discussion 1. What is your initial reaction to this experiment? Could it still be done today? 2. Do you think someone of a different race, ethnicity, or religion would find the video surprising in any way? 00:45-00:48: Move to Library 00:48-00:53: Listen/Draw/Write to I Have A Dream PLs will play the video through speakers. PLs will explain that as they hear the excerpt from the I Have A Dream speech, PPs will express how they feel about it through journaling, drawing, or any form with a paper and pencil/markers. 00:53-00:58: Move to Youth Lounge 00:58-01:20: Scale Activity PL will designate one side of the room as agree and the other side as disagree. Then they will read statements (listed below) and the PPs will move to the side (or in between) that corresponds to their opinion on the statement. After each statement is read, PLs will ask 2-3 PPs to share why they are standing where they are. I am a Jew and therefore I must stand up for the oppressed I am a Jew and therefore I must get involved in all situations in which one party is being oppressed/bullied/discriminated against I am a Jew and therefore I believe that all minorities must stand together I am a Jew and therefore I root myself in Jewish values I am a Jew and therefore I feel deeply connected to people who are discriminated against I am a Jew and therefore I believe the world endures on three things justice, truth and peace. (Pirkei Avot) I am a Jew and therefore I stand up for all Jews I am a Jew and therefore I value Jews more than others I am a Jew and therefore I practice tikkun olam, repairing the world, in all that I do I am a Jew and being a Jew is important to me 01:20-01:25: Info on Women s March The Women s March on Washington is a grassroots effort comprised of dozens of independent coordinators at the state level. The effort is helmed by four national cochairs and a national coordinating committee who are working around the clock to pull it all together. A program featuring nationally recognized advocates, artists, entertainers, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and others will be announced in the coming weeks. 01:25-01:30: Walk back to sanctuary

6 SW I'm Hannah Miller the NFTY SW SAVP. I'm a senior from Arizona. Tikkun Olam has always been one of the most important aspects of my Jewish identity. As SAVP, I get to share this with my region and hopefully inspire members to become involved with causes they are passionate about. When I'm not busy studying or doing NFTY, I love Camp Swift, advocating for Israel, hiking, and writing.

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8 My program was adapted from a similar program at the RAC. It taught about racism in the criminal justice system and how teens can take action and make a difference. We took a part in the NFTY social media campaign and made calls to urge members of Congress to reintroduce bipartisan comprehensive legislation to create fairer sentencing laws, improve prison practices, and encourage successful reentry into society. I was inspired by the Social Action Leadership Trip where I learned about this prevalent issue. (Program attached to )