Let Justice Well Up

Let Justice Well Up

Mayyim Hayyim is thrilled to announce year two of “Let Justice Well Up,” an initiative by and for Jewish women of color, to provide a sense of welcome, empowerment, and connection as well as healing and support within the Jewish community.

One of our core values is Petichut – openness and inclusivity. Mayyim Hayyim strives to be inclusive of all who wish to learn and/or immerse. Another is Ahavat Yisrael – love of the Jewish people. We honor and cherish the differences among the Jewish people. We know, however, that we are not reaching the Black community, Sephardi/Mizrahi Jews, indigineous Jews, and other
women of color to the extent that they are represented in the community.

Let Justice Well Up has two components. Learn more and find out how to participate below.

6-Part Educational Series by and for Jewish Women of Color

Mayyim Hayyim will offer a space for Jewish women of color, led by Erica Riddick, and at a highly subsidized rate for participants, to build relationships with one another and delve into our sacred texts without feeling the need to check part of themselves at the door.

  • You do not need to participate in all 6 sessions
  • Series is offered at a sliding scale of $0-$54

Torah Study Series for Jewish Women of Color has concluded for this year. Check back here for announcements of future programs.

Let Justice Well Up is one part of Mayyim Hayyim’s commitment to DEI and anti-racism work. As a part of this work, Mayyim Hayyim is dedicated to creating space for Jews of color to engage with mikveh with other Jews of color. This program is open to those who specifically identify as Jewish women of color, Sephardi, Mizrahi, and Indigenous Jewish women. If you have questions about this, or if you do not identify as a Jewish woman of color but are interested in a similar program open to all Jewish women, please reach out to our Director of Programs and Partnerships.

Storytelling and Ritual Creation

The goal of storytelling is threefold: to share space and build community among Jewish women of color, to elevate their voices and inspire others to discover the wholeness, meaning, and connection that comes from using ritual to mark transition in their lives, and to flip the narrative that the Jewish community is all White. We plan to share stories of ritual innovation and reclaiming the mikveh for healing and wholeness in many ways, including with immersion ceremony development to distribute to partner organizations to have on hand for sharing with Jewish women of color looking for solidarity and ritual.

Led by Sara Greenhalgh in the initiative’s first year, Mayyim Hayyim has collected stories of Jewish women who are BIPOC or JOCISM*.

Click here to share your own story of mikveh, Mayyim Hayyim, or your experience with water, and to see the stories we have collected so far.

*Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) or Jews of Color, Indigenous, Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews (JOCISM)

Sara Greenhalgh (she/they/theirs) was born in Wonju, South Korea and raised in Minneapolis, MN. They are currently a social worker in Minneapolis and a Program Manager for Edot Midwest Regional Jewish Racial Justice Collaborative. They are a Board member for Jewish Community Action and involved in activism and racial justice work around Minneapolis. 

Erica Riddick is founder of Jews of Color Sanctuary, and creator of the Bilhah Zilpah Project. She creates fun and engaging text study through a social justice narrative lens and has most recently taught for Ammud Jews of Color Torah Academy, and as the 2021 Hollander Social Justice Fellow of the National Havurah Committee Summer Institute. Erica studied at Pardes Jerusalem, is a current Mahloket Matters Fellow through Pardes North America, and a 2018 JewV’Nation Fellow.

Let Justice Well Up is generously funded by The Miriam Fund.

Let Justice Well Up main page Share Your Story

 

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