Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called it the "inescapable network of mutuality," - the fact that in our increasingly diverse America no single ethnic minority can succeed independently. As the new century has brought rapid demographic change and a deepening cultural and socio-economic divide, we need to strengthen a democratic America and strengthen that sense of mutuality. This is the best guarantor of the security of the well being of the Jewish people. It is our responsibility, as citizens and as Jews, to assure that this nation continues to embrace and draw vitality from her diversity.
The American Jewish Committee's Belfer Center for Pluralism produces interethnic programs at both the national and chapter level that develop relationships and networks, promoting dialogue and proactive advocacy.
For more information on the following programs, write to engagingamerica@ajc.org.
Ethnic Leadership Project
Funded with grants from the Levine Family and from the Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Center for American Pluralism
We want to expand our dialogue/relationship building outreach to promote civic engagement and shared advocacy with ethnic groups. This would include, at this juncture, Latino Catholic, Afro-American Protestant and the South Asian India-Pakistani-Bengladeshi subcontinent mixed religion communities. These programs have been piloted in a number of communities across the country. They generally run for one full day that includes leadership training, cross-cultural analyses and opportunities to engage with young leaders of different ethnic and religious backgrounds. A strong focus on shared civic engagement to help improve the local community is at the core of the program.
Advocacy Leadership Workshops for Ethnic Groups
We provide workshops in advocacy, interfaith and institution-building to members of ethnic groups around the country. These workshops are aimed at providing the participants with key strategic tools to help them succeed as community leaders and in organizational development, including: lectures, case studies and interactive exercises, minority advocacy, and strategic planning for action on specific issues. So far, we have worked with Korean, Indian, Nigerian and Latino groups in various regions of the country. AJC chapters are asked to apply for such training programs that will be brought to the community by the national staff.
Naturalization Ceremonies
There is nothing more dramatic and powerful than witnessing the United States of America embrace new citizens. We invite AJC chapters to celebrate this major event in the lives of these individuals, their families and the community. Hosting a celebration of naturalization provides an opportunity for AJC to convey messages about pluralism and mutual respect at a key moment for America's newest citizens. At the same time it allows us to reach out to new partners as part of EngagingAmerica.
Latino Catholic- Jewish Leadership Project
Funded by a grant from the Levine family
The Department of Hispanic Affairs of the Conference of Bishops and the American Jewish Committee are partnering in a new and meaningful outreach effort that would bring young potential leaders from the Latino and Jewish communities together to learn about and become better civic leaders. Such a program would focus on the qualities and character of leadership development, including the religious understanding we share that human beings are partners with God in transforming the world for good. At the same time, it would bring together young professionals who, through study and action together, will become a force for community action. The specific contours of the program would be developed individually for each participating community. The idea was initiated by Bishop James A. Tamayo, chair of the Department of Hispanic Affairs for the USCCB and Dr. David M. Elcott, representing the American Jewish Committee.
America's Table: A Thanksgiving Reader
Celebrating our Diverse Roots and Shared Values
Funded with a grant from the Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Center for American Pluralism
America's Table: A Thanksgiving Reader tells the nation's story and helps us express our gratitude for being part of it. The publication takes about seven minutes to read aloud prior to the Thanksgiving meal. It is complemented by a national network of public readings and other events that foster inter-religious and interethnic understanding.
America's Table is universal in content and tone. Its message of mutual respect and civic responsibility is especially important as the nation becomes more diverse. Over time, this annual retelling of America's story can become an important part of your community's traditional celebration of Thanksgiving that will flow into the homes of your citizens.
America's Table: A Thanksgiving Reader is available on the AJC Website along with program models for a community wide celebration that would bring together ethnic and religious leaders and a "how-to" guide to bring this outreach program to town.
The first edition of America's Table appeared immediately after 9/11 and was produced by the American Jewish Committee, primarily as a source of solace for its members. AJC continues to publish America's Table, in cooperation with these organizations:
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
National Council of LaRaza
National Urban League
National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ)
Cuban American National Council
Islamic Supreme Council of America
Japanese American Citizens League
New America Alliance
Organization of Chinese Americans
Korean-American Jewish-American Council
Many schools now include America's Table as the basis of a curriculum devoted to diversity and democracy, as part of a special arrangement between AJC and the New York Times.
Latino Seminarian Project
A joint project of AJC and the Bernardin Center at Chicago Theological Union
Funded with a grant from the Allen H. & Selma W. Berkman Institute for Interreligious Education
AJC and CTU have created an immersion learning program on Judaism and the Church for young Latinos preparing to become priests. According to studies published last year, young Latinos in the United States and from Latin America are unlikely to have experienced significant encounters with Jews. Yet Jews and Latinos share a similar immigrant experience and increased community interaction. Since what the priest preaches and teaches set the attitudes of their congregants, we seek to develop a Jewish experience that would reach across the United States for young Latino seminarians with great promise and for Latin Americans studying at U.S. seminaries.
The AJC has been working for the past year with the Hispanic Department of the U.S. Conference of Bishops to find ways that Jews and Latino Catholics can learn together and from each other. This program, endorsed by the USCCB and grounded in the superb Jewish-Catholic work of CTU and AJC, will take place during vacation periods. The curriculum and the teaching will bring in scholars to work with the students in a wide range of areas. We would seek out twenty five top level seminarians, bring them to Chicago for study, and then create a follow-up fraternity of graduates with the hope that over the next decade, we would link these graduates with the Jewish communities wherever they go and continue their education. This would ensure a cadre of Catholic priests and, hopefully, bishops as well whose commitment to Catholic-Jewish engagement will be deep and positive.
Hands Across the Campus
Funded with a grant from the Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Center for American Pluralism
America's public schools have traditionally helped form its national character and convey its civic values, including that of developing mutual respect among groups. The changing face of America is reflected most intensely in our schools. Teachers and administrators need help in dealing with this growing diversity, creating inclusive learning environments, resolving conflicts, and encouraging civic participation.
Hands is a sustainable and flexible program that can "change the climate of the school" (York High School, Chicago). Adaptable to the needs of the school, it offers a dual approach to the inclusion of civic values, anti-bias education and conflict resolution skills. Whether designed to complement and support classroom lessons (The Core American Values Curriculum), or as a student club meeting (The Youth Leadership Program) in or outside regular classroom hours, the two programs can co-exist within a school.
Schools can purchase a package with the curricula only, or one that includes a training of teachers and a period of online support and guidance.
For more information on these programs, write to engagingamerica@ajc.org.
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