Background
The Case for Jewish
Diversity:
Demographers of the Jewish community have shown that
through adoption, conversion, intermarriage and immigration, the American
Jewish population is growing increasingly diverse. Jews of diverse
backgrounds must not only contend with challenging issues facing the entire
Jewish population, but their own unique cultural, racial, and socio-economic
challenges as well. The Institute for Jewish and Community Research
estimates that 6.5-10% of American Jews are ethnic minorities (Asian, Latino
or African American.) The National Jewish Population Study posits that over
5% of Jewish families with children have at least 1 adopted child, and that
52% of Jews inter-marry. These numbers indicate a sizeable population of
Jewish individuals who are either ethnic minorities, married to non-Jews,
and/or are mothers to children from non-traditional backgrounds.
Ayecha’s Formation:
Ayecha ‘s projects were established as a
result of information gathered through a sampling of 150 racially and
culturally diverse Jews across the United States. Over a two-year period,
Ayecha hosted various discussions to explore the potential for recognizable
change in the experiences of diverse Jews in organized Jewish communal
settings. Out of these discussions came the three areas of Ayecha’s
programming: “Diversity in Spirituality”- resources to address feelings
among diverse Jews that Jewish spiritual leaders are not adequately prepared
to assist them and their communities in navigating and creating space for
diverse Jewish identity in the synagogue. “Diversity in Building Community”-
resources for Jewish educators and professionals to address feelings among
diverse Jews that their voices and identities are not included in the type
of programs and outreach services being offered by their local Jewish
communities, and “Diversity in Jewish Identity”- social/educational events
that address needs expressed among diverse Jews for educational programs
that cater to a wide variety of Jewry and offer networking opportunities for
diverse Jews to come together and contradict feelings of being “the only
one” in larger communal settings.
Ayecha’s current programming
reaches hundreds of diverse Jews and their families, living in Jewish
communities across the United States , in Canada , England and in Israel.
The “living stories” provided by the individuals and families that seek out
Ayecha’s resources, offer a compelling reason for all Jewish individuals to
reflect upon the changing face of American Jewry and to examine our communal
acceptance and support of Jewish Diversity. Through our projects and
programs, Ayecha seeks to dispel harmful assumptions and negative
stereotypes that provide rigorous challenges to the successful integration
of ALL Jews into the various social settings, neighborhoods, synagogues and
educational institutions that comprise our national Jewish community.
