Dear Kehillah Community,

The first of our Four Commitments means we at Kehillah hold, unequivocally, that Black lives matter. As educators, as Americans, as people we are dismayed by the long patterns of race-based brutality in the United States. Our hearts break at the traumatic deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, whose names join the seemingly endless list of Black lives cut short unjustly by state violence and structural racism. Kehillah stands in solidarity with members of the Black community, and marginalized groups, against this pernicious, racially-motivated targeting and mistreatment — reminiscent of persecution too familiar to Jewish history. We must stand together.

Communities of color are clearly in pain, and Jewish values call all members of our community to stand up as allies. The story of Hebrew enslavement in Egypt culminates in an admonition, a moral imperative repeated numerous times in the Torah to let the memory of past persecution guide our actions. Exodus 23:9 commands: “You shall not oppress the stranger, for you know the feelings of the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” We call on the members of our community — students, teachers, families — to live up to the admonition in Exodus to see and hear the feelings of those unjustly treated as strangers in their own land, and then to actively work towards dismantling the pervasive structures of racism. Each of us is responsible for doing our utmost to learn, to empathize, to acknowledge the justified outrage of marginalized and persecuted people, and to support social justice.

Education is our primary task as a school, and education is an important part of building a more equitable society, but we recognize that education alone is not enough to enact lasting change. Our Fourth Commitment means we have a responsibility to contribute with meaningful action. The steps we take toward social justice will look different from person to person, even conversation to conversation. For those unsure where to begin, the resources listed below can help you connect to the larger conversation and determine how you can best work to undo the structures of racism and inequality in our society.

As Anne Marie, a Holocaust survivor who spoke to Kehillah students over Zoom, recently reminded us, living out never again means standing up to make sure that the oppression of any group cannot endure. We call on every member of our Kehillah to speak up and be part of the solution. Because a more equitable future requires hard work from us all.

Thank you for being part of our treasured community. Please take care of each other.

With gratitude,


Rabbi Darren Kleinberg, Head of School
Patti Carbery, Principal
Lauren McElhatton, Assistant Principal
Dr. Nathan Bennett, Dean of Students


*Go to 30:44 in video to see/hear this community letter read live during Gala in Place*
Resources :

Read

Listen

Connect
  • Listen. Support Black colleagues, friends, family, and neighbors and be mindful of listening to their stories and voices rather than offering yours if you’re not a person of color. 
  • Follow groups doing anti-racist work, such as @showingupforracialjustice and @colorofchange
  • Amplify Black voices on social media by sharing their work (be sure to get their permission first).
  • Call your family and friends and talk about what’s happening.
  • Find more resources at Cultures of Dignity.

Do
  • Make sure your voter registration is up to date.
  • Ask self-reflective questions and consider ways to challenge systems of privilege and oppression in your own life. (National Association of School Psychologists)
  • Model the way forward. Start conversations with your family and friends about how you’re committed to dismantling racism in your life and community.
  • Make care kits (snacks, water, first aid, local legal aid numbers, etc.) to hand out to folks going to protests.
  • Watch protest speakers’ messages virtually. 
  • Students, ask your teachers for resources to engage that continue things you’ve learned in classes. Many are eager to help you along this journey.
Kehillah Jewish High School | kehillah.org