Dear friends,
I'm writing today with exciting news and with a request for help in documenting these extraordinary times.
The Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL) is proud to be working with Jewish cultural institutions around the country and the Council of American Jewish Museums (CAJM) to record and collect stories about what it means to be Jewish in the era of COVID-19. This project will provide a snapshot for researchers and future generations of the American Jewish community in 2020—how we have collectively and individually experienced the pandemic, struggles for racial justice, and all of the other life-changing events of this year. This effort represents a collective approach to collect stories, preserve and interpret them, and create a historical record of these times.
We want to include your voice in this collection of stories about this complicated moment in history. Perhaps you have stories to share about parenting during the pandemic, or you've gotten involved in advocacy for racial justice this year. You might have celebrated the High Holidays in an unfamiliar setting, or found comfort and meaning in lighting the Shabbat candles. Whatever your story, we want to hear it.
We are looking for Jewish community members of all ages and backgrounds to be interviewed for this project. ISJL staff members are conducting these interviews remotely via video call, with the goal of completing interviews in mid-December.
If you are interested in sharing your story with us, please fill out this form. We'll get in touch to schedule an interview with one of our staff members.
If you have questions about this project, please email Nora Katz, ISJL Director of Heritage and Interpretation, at heritage@isjl.org. Please share this email with friends and family members who might be interested in being interviewed.
Thank you for your continued support of our work, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Best,
Nora Katz
ISJL Director of Heritage and Interpretation
