FAQs

What does it mean if I sign the open letter?

If you sign as an individual, it means you support the need for our entire community to take immediate action to create anti-racist, inclusive and equitable Jewish spaces. Your name will appear on the No Silence on Race website. The more names we collect, the more momentum we have as a community to demonstrate to Jewish organizations that our community wants to see action and change. 

If you sign your name on behalf of an organization, it means that your organization is committed to working towards the creation an anti-racist Jewish community. Your name, and the name of your organization, will appear on the No Silence on Race website, and we ask that you follow up with a public statement expressing your commitment to the 9 pillars by July 29th.

What is an appropriate timeline for achieving the 9 proposed pillars?

We created these 9 pillars keeping in mind that this work takes time. These changes require thought and strategic execution. With that, we encourage organizations to think about 1 year, 3 year, and 5 year models when addressing these pillars.

What does a “public statement” mean?

A public statement reflects the official perspective of your organization.  It should be visible and easily accessible.  The response does not have to be long or a comprehensive strategy plan, just an affirmation that you are committed to the work. Referencing the Open Letter and No Silence on Race would ensure future accountability. 

Some great options for public statements for you to consider posting are below:

  • We are committed to doing the work to create an anti-racist Jewish community.

  • We are working internally on a plan to build an anti-racist Jewish community.

  • We believe it is important to build an anti-racist Jewish community and will be taking the necessary steps to structure a strategic plan moving forward.

  • We are committed to engaging external facilitators for organization-wide anti-racism and anti-oppression education and training.

  • We have been engaging in the work of building an anti-racist Jewish community for some time and we will continue to engage in the education, conversation, training, and the policy implementation necessary to take further action in our organization to create meaningful change. 

  • We read the open letter entitled, No Silence on Race, and we are committed to doing the work to create an anti-racist Jewish community.

Where should my organization release our public statement?

Your organization’s website, blog, social media platforms, a Jewish newspaper or publication. Please tag us in your posts so we can link it to our website.

Should my organization write a public statement if we are unsure that we will be able to achieve one or more of the proposed obligations?

While we do hope that your organization will take it upon themselves to commit to all 9 of the pillars, our goal is also to start a conversation about building an anti-racist Jewish community. Here are a few options for how organizations can approach writing an open letter:

  • Share the letter with other Jewish organizations and start the conversation within your organization

  • Sign the letter on behalf of your organization to indicate that you are starting the work.

  • Issue a timely public statement expressing your commitment to building an anti-racist Jewish community by July 29th, 2020. 

We understand that it will take time to create a thoughtful and creative strategy to make substantive change. Our ask is that you say explicitly that you are committed to action and to starting the work required to create anti-racist, inclusive and equitable Jewish community spaces.

We would like more clarification on the pillars. Can we schedule a discussion with the No Silence on Race team before issuing a statement?

Yes. Contact us at nosilenceonrace@gmail.com and we can set up a conference call to explore the ways that your organization can start the conversation internally, implement the pillars and ultimately about how your organization can create an anti-racist, inclusive and equitable Jewish spaces.

I have a small organization with a limited budget.  How can I implement these changes?

We have provided a shared framework for any organization interested in joining the conversation and starting this work. There are many resources available for free or at a relatively low cost, this work does not have to be costly in order to be effective. Devising an organizational plan will take time and can be implemented in several stages.

How can I help the No Silence on Race Team?

Thank you for your interest in helping our team! We would love to speak with you. Please fill out the form on our Get Involved page and tell us more about yourself.