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Dear Friends,

I am very excited to share that I will be teaching a 5-session series on Reparations and Jewish Tradition, Sundays at 10:00 AM, April 11 - May 9.  

These sessions will explore the sources that people are look to for guidance in response to the call from the Black community and communities of color generally to compensate victims of slavery and systemic racism in our society.  Drawing on the narrative of the Exodus, a commitment to intergenerational responsibility, and the actual experience of reparations to Jewish survivors of the Shoah, our tradition has a rich history of wisdom to explore.  Among our themes will be inherent obligations toward humanity; precedents for reparations in our Talmudic and legal tradition; the obligation of indirect responsibility; the imperative to pursue even imperfect justice; and notions of universal and restorative justice.

This conversation builds on work that is being pursued throughout our community: by our Abundance Farm team in coordination with other communities; by the anti-racism task force of our Tikkun Olam Committee; by the Jewish Community of Amherst, who has invited us to take part in their study sessions as well.

For now, put the dates on your calendar - I look forward to checking in with you soon.

Moadim l'Simchah,

Rabbi Justin David