Racial Justice and Equity - Program Highlights for Giving Tuesday 2023

November 6, 2023

Dear Friends,

We are faced again with a moment in world history where the differences of race and religion may fracture our society. There will be no lasting peace, no meaningful unity, and no progress without understanding. Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice seeks always to promote understanding between faiths. Just as meaningful, however, is our work to promote understanding among different ethnic groups. Below I highlight a few of our programs directed toward enhancing interracial relations, promoting equity, and advocating for the dignity and respect of all peoples.

Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice, working alongside 100 Black Men and with funding from the Jewish Federation of Madison, sponsors a podcast run by African-American and Jewish teens. “The Talk” is a podcast series where African-American and Jewish teens get together to talk about their lives and issues they care about, to learn about each other’s backgrounds and cultures, and to build new friendships. Be on the lookout for upcoming episodes!

Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice partners with MICAH, Wisconsin Council of Churches, WISDOM, The Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, and Wisconsin Council of Rabbis to create two distinct programs directed toward promoting equity and ensuring dignity and respect for all peoples. Taking a Faithful Stand for Equity started as a one-time teaching webinar whose work expanded into a statewide campaign working on equity with a particular focus on what is happening in our schools. Currently, this group gathers for monthly webinars featuring speakers on a variety of topics related to equity and a time for local organizing around the state. Teach the Truth WI is a faith-based initiative that focuses on educating Wisconsin congregations about the hidden stories behind historic sites, national holidays, and the history of structural racism in the United States and Wisconsin.

Taking a Faithful Stand for Equity will host Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings at its next webinar on November 14. Dr. Ladson-Billings is a nationally renowned expert in the field of education and in particular equity pedagogy. She pioneered the use of critical race theory (CRT) in the context of education. For that reason, we have asked her to present on this subject. Her presentation, "Oh, No! Not CRT!! Undoing Distortions and Misinformation," will help all of us understand these complex ideas that create so much debate today. Register here: Faithful Stance for Equity -- Nov 14, 6:30 PM -- About CRT.

Thank you for reading our most recent installment of program highlights for Giving Tuesday 2023. Remember, Giving Tuesday is November 28. Make a plan to give!

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Faithfully,

Bonnie

Rabbi Bonnie Margulis

Executive Director

Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice