Racial Justice Task Force

Our Racial Justice Task Force was formed in the spring of 2020 and has been very busy since. We provide opportunities for congregants to learn about racial justice as a Jewish mandate, as well as work for equity, diversity and inclusion within our country, congregation and personal lives. 

Some of this year’s activities:

Enslaved Africans’ Rain Garden, Yonkers Waterfront 
Sun, April 16, 1:00 – 2:30 pm
A family tour of sculptor Vinnie Bagwell’s vision focusing on remembering the lives, feelings and legacy of men, women and children who were stripped of their human rights and were among the first to be freed by law 64 years before the Emancipation Proclamation. Co-sponsored with Adult Education Committee. Sign up HERE.

The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones
Oct 25, and the last Tue of each month thereafter, 7:30–9:00 pm, Zoom
Book discussion group sponsored by Racial Justice Task Force and Adult Education Committees. This controversial book substantially expands on the award-winning NY Times 1619 Project, which attempts to reframe our understanding of American history by placing slavery and its ongoing legacy at the center of our national narrative. We will explore the book’s ideas by discussing one of the 18 chapters + introduction/poetry each month. Participants are invited to volunteer to take turns facilitating discussion. Sign up HERE to join the group.

Schedule of Chapters: 
Oct 25 Preface
Nov 29 Chapter 1     Democracy
Dec 20 Chapter 2     Race
Jan 31 Chapter 3     Sugar
Feb 28 Chapter 4     Fear
Mar 28 Chapter 5     Dispossession
Apr 25 Chapter 6     Capitalism
May 30 Chapter 7    Politics

And we will continue our work on climate justice with the Civic Engagement Task Force and Environmental Task Force.

Leaders:  Linda Einfrank and Rebecca Mazin (rjtf@wct.org)