Recent weeks have been extremely difficult for our country. The Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater is appalled and angered by the death of George Floyd at the hands of officers in the Minneapolis Police Department. Our sorrow is further compounded by the recent killing of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, another act of ugly and violent racism, and the many others whose names and faces we must memorialize. Fifty-six years after the historic signing of the Civil Rights Act, we must commit to standing in partnership and solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the Black community and collectively strive to stamp out racism and prejudice in all its forms. We in the Jewish community know all too personally and painfully the dangers of unchecked hatred, particularly when it becomes institutionalized within the structures of society.

We honor the selfless and essential service of law enforcement locally and those across America, and we thank interim Virginia Beach Police Chief, Tony Zucaro, for his statement recognizing those that serve with duty and those whose actions are considered disturbing.  We also appreciate  FBI Norfolk Special Agent in Charge, Martin Culbreth for sharing this letter regarding the FBI's investigation into the death of George Floyd, explaining their investigative process to determine if there were criminal violations of Civil Rights laws, including 'color of law' violations, and the importance of ensuring a fair, thorough, and impartial procedure. 

Our Jewish tradition compels us to seek justice, and we are committed to being part of the solution. Now is the time for the community to reengage in tough conversations about how we can end systemic racism, hatred, antisemitism, and bigotry, so we can all rise together for the greater good of future generations. We must all embody the values for which we advocate by deepening relationships on a personal level with people of different backgrounds. Not only will our lives be enriched, but we will also become better and more impactful allies and partners.

To this end, our Jewish Community Relations Council has plans to launch a Combatting Hate Task Force in the coming months to provide opportunities for the Jewish community to reflect, learn, and discuss our individual and communal roles in dismantling systemic racism and antisemitism. We invite you to join us in this work. To learn more about the new Task Force, contact CRC Director, Megan Zuckerman.

This week saw violent demonstrations throughout the country, including in our community. Civil rights icon, Congressman John Lewis – whose call for peaceful protests recognizes that justice has been denied for far too long – has implored all people of goodwill to: “…Organize. Demonstrate. Sit in. Stand-up. Vote. Be constructive, not destructive.” We join Congressman Lewis in his call, and we pray that, through justice, peaceful solutions are found.

There is no such thing as “quick tips” or foolproof advice when discussing the complexities we currently face.  Here are some ideas to start with…

• Learn more about combatting hate with American Jewish Committee CEO, David Harris, one of the country’s leading experts on combatting hate and the Global Rise of Antisemitism tomorrow night (Wednesday, June 3) at 7:00 pm.  Presented by the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Holocaust Commission, the United Jewish Communities of the Virginia Peninsula, AJC Washington, and the JCRC, pre-registration for this virtual discussion via Zoom is required.  Register here.
   
• The JCRC is hosting a Virtual Town Hall with Congresswoman Elaine Luria, representing Virginia's 2nd Congressional District next Wednesday, June 10 at 12 pm.  Bring your questions for the Congresswoman to the conversation, which is sure to include details on how the racial divides in our country are being addressed in Washington. Pre-registration for this virtual discussion via Zoom is required.  Register here.   
   
• The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has compiled a guide for educators about engaging youth in conversations about race that can also be useful for parents.  Their Table Talk: Family Conversations about Current Events series offers this outline for discussion on George Floyd, Racism, and Law Enforcement.
   
• Teaching Tolerance, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center, founded in 1991 to prevent the growth of hate, offers webinars, articles, and resources on white privilege, economic inequality, mass incarceration, the complexities of identity, and more.
   
• In Sunday’s Richmond Times-Dispatch, Jonathan Zur, President and CEO of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC), shared an op-ed titled, We must see the patterns. Then, we must act. In it, he offered some lessons from VCIC's work and stands ready to serve as a facilitator, educator, and convener, drawing upon the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities' rich 85-year history, to bring our society closer to inclusion and equity.  Reach out to VCIC to schedule a workshop for your business, group, or school or learn from their resources online.
   
• Author, coach, speaker, and attorney, Karen Walrond, shares works (including books, movies, podcasts, and Instagram accounts) by amazing people and organizations of all races, creeds, faiths, and nationalities — to help you live a more inclusive life, spark some self-reflection on how you can be an ally (and how you might be a part of the problem) and finally, inspire you to make light.
   
• Facing History and Ourselves combats racism and antisemitism by using history to teach tolerance in classrooms around the globe and offers this comprehensive list of TED Talks, actions, books, movies, and more.
   
• If you are a parent looking for resources to help you raise and teach your kids to be anti-racist, you might not know where to start.  Following the direction of educators and activists of different races and backgrounds, The Today Show compiled a great list. 
   
• Listen to '1619', a podcast (audio series) from The New York Times on how slavery has transformed America, connecting past and present through the oldest form of storytelling.
   
• Read "one of the most important books on race in recent memory" by racial justice educator and writer, Debby Irving, Waking Up White.  Follow up with a discussion about the book with colleagues or friends using the accompanying tool kit.  Continue learning with the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge to further your understanding of power, privilege, supremacy, oppression, and equity.
   
• Follow CRC on Facebook and check the UJFT’s JewishVA page to receive regular updates and advocacy alerts.