Jews of Color Leadership and Engagement Initiative, a project of JALSA

JALSA is devoted to promoting civil rights, protecting civil liberties, and achieving social, economic, environmental, and racial justice. Established in 2001, the organization has rich experience in social action with deep inter-community roots. JALSA partners with communities as part of multifaith, multiethnic, and multiracial coalitions engaged in voting rights, criminal justice, immigration, affordable housing, economic justice/fair taxation, climate change, food justice, gun violence prevention, and health care reform. By combining legal, legislative, and educational approaches with relationship-building through grassroots organizing, the organization offers a unique mix of strategies and vision to maximize its impact.

JALSA’s Jews of Color Leadership and Engagement initiative addresses the numerous barriers Jews of Color face to equitable inclusion and leadership --- including within those spaces dedicated to Jewish social justice activism. The Initiative will actively support emergent JoC leaders as they navigate the Jewish social justice field. By leveraging JALSA’s existing relationships with state and national community partners, the initiative is designed to spark critical dialogue about how Jews of Color are uniquely positioned to address the socio-economic, environmental, immigration, and health care issues through their Jewish values. Through this initiative, JALSA serves as a bridge for Jews of Color throughout the country to add their unique perspectives and ideas to the Jewish social justice landscape in Massachusetts and nationally.

The Jews of Color Leadership Engagement Initiative is being led by JALSA organizer, Maria Isabel Rosario, whose work at JALSA is allowing her to explore her own multiple identities as a Jew of Color. Maria is being supported by JALSA Legislative Director David Albright and Executive Director Cindy Rowe. Maria is also involved with JewV’nation, and is participating in other leadership development opportunities to further strengthen her capacity to grow this JALSA Initiative.