Inter-Community Relations
Target Group Overview
Inter-community programming attracts students who are interested in issues of diversity, race, gender, and multiculturalism. Many of these students are reluctant to identify too closely with the Jewish community. These events allow students to broaden their understanding of different traditions, while developing a deeper connection to their Jewish identities. In addition, inter-community programming helps create essential partnerships between the Jewish community and other cultural and religious communities on campus. Below are programs that I developed this year in partnership with the Black, Muslim, Women's, and Lesbian/Gay Communities on campus.
Jews of Africa program – A student committee of Jewish and Black students, coordinated a multi-media presentation of the Jewish communities in Africa with special guest, Jay Sand. Jay showed slides and told stories about his encounters with the Jewish communities in Africa, taught African Jewish songs, and led a discussion on Black-Jewish relations.
Jews of Africa Shabbat – As a follow up to the Thursday night program, the Black-Jewish student coordinating committee arranged for a special Shabbat program including African melodies to Jewish prayers and an African dinner. This program was done in co-sponsorship with the Black Student Union and Black Community Services Center.
Muslim-Arab-Jewish Dialogue Dinner – (Click here to read the description of this program posted on the Hillel program bank) This kick-off event was planned by a committee of 10 Muslim and Jewish students. It brought together 45 Muslim, Arab, and Jewish students to eat a falafel dinner, get to know each other, and experience dialogue. The planning committee continued to meet throughout the year and plan another dialogue event. This program was co-sponsored by the Muslim Student Awareness Network and Islamic Student Society at Stanford.
Cross-Cultural Dialogue on the Arab-Israeli Conflict -- 14 Jewish and Muslim Stanford students gathered to engage in a cross-cultural dialogue on the Arab-Israeli conflict. After sharing their personal histories and hopes for the dialogue, participants asked hard questions of one another. At the conclusion of the two-hour discussion, many questions were left unanswered, but the path was laid for future relations. Participants agreed to meet again next year and to continue to build bridges between their communities.
Making the Links: Holocaust, Racism, and Injustice Today -- 100 students came out for Yom Hashoah to hear Lani Silver and Helen Farkas address the atrocities committed against the Jews during World War II, and put that historical experience into perspective. I worked with a member of the Jewish leadership Council to create this program and make sure it opened up honest discussion about modern issues of racism, diversity and genocide. The program linked the Jewish experience with the plight of other racial minorities and persecuted, struggling peoples of the world today. Program co-sponsors included the Women's Community Center, Black Community Services Center, LGBT Community Resource Center, and Office of Multi-cultural Affairs.