Racial equity is the defining issue of our time. As a nonprofit model of excellence, we honor our Jewish heritage by bringing awareness about the multiplicity of Jewish identities and who we are collectively as a people. Cultivating cultural competence empowers you to be extremely intentional about inclusion. Our approach is focused on justice, solidarity, and centering the most vulnerable.
Despite the increasing number of Jews of color and the changing demographic of Jews, most Jewish organizations are wrestling with what it means to implement DEI beyond statements, and trainings.
Solutions that do not address the root cause of an issue are not really solutions at all. Systemic injustice and inequality calls for systemic change. Statements of solidarity alone are insufficient. AJOCC advocates for tangible measurable data to operationalize policies that shape access to social capital and economic resources. Those who have experienced harm should play an instrumental role in deciding how harm will be repaired. Then put measures in place to address and repair harm when it is committed.
AJOCC has set an ambitious mission to drive actionable institutional change by amplifying the regional voices of historically marginalized and underrepresented Jews of Color. Our goal is to change discriminatory norms that lead to inequity and injustice. We seek to build an inclusive, vibrant community where all Jews in the southeastern region of the United States have access to economic resources, have social emotional safety, can feel radically welcomed, and are empowered to be community leaders. Our core belief is that JOC should have agency in the planning and operations of their local communities. AJOCC advocates for racial equity in hiring, multicultural inclusion, and diverse local leadership. Our vision is to organize a collective voice to provide strategies and solutions that articulate what communal shifts could make it easier for all Jews to feel as though they belong in Jewish spaces. Through intentional programming, we also build empowering, affirming spaces where members and co-conspirators develop a deeper connection to Israel and Jewish community.
Programming Initiatives
AJOCC encourages mentorships, internships, and networking opportunities toward the Jewish communal ecosystem’s executive leadership, boards, and committee positions. We promote more accessible points of entry into the mainstream Jewish community through various resource allocation such as funding for members to participate in Jewish education, Jewish day schools, Jewish summer camps, cultural events, Jewish community centers, rabbinical school, synagogue memberships, and travel to Israel
- To address racism as a mental health issue. Constant exposure to discrimination, prejudice, and bias is a form of psychological abuse which leads to stress, harm, lowered self esteem, and trauma.
- To cultivate intentional, engaging Jewish experiences for AJOCC members and partners to develop a deeper connection to Judaism and pro-Israel Zionism through retreats, holiday events, social gatherings, and a trip to Israel.
- To develop mentorships, internships, and networking opportunities to produce pipelines into leadership positions.
Accessibility Statement
AJOCC strives to ensure that all its services are accessible to people with disabilities, including on our website. We strongly believe every person has a right to live with dignity, independence, comfort, and equality. We are also committed to addressing racial, gendered, and sexual violence in ways that build revolutionary communities of care, hope, and psychological safety for all.
Atlanta Jews of Color Council 