Reparations Shabbat
Saturday, February 1, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Join Or Shalom Jewish Community and Reconstructionist Communities from across the country for a “Reparations Shabbat”.
In January of 2023, Reconstructing Judaism, the official organization of the Reconstructionist movement, passed a Reconstructionist Resolution on Reparations, committing us as a movement to the work of grappling with racial harm in this country and to engagement in material acts of accountability.
According to the Reconstructionist Movement, “The goal of the Reparations Shabbat weekend is to facilitate both ongoing congregational study and action by identifying ways to join local reparations efforts.”
As a part of this movement-wide effort, Or Shalom is pleased to invite you to:
10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Shabbat Morning Services, during which we will read Parshat Bo as a model for Reparations
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Catered Lunch by and conversation with The Vegan Hood Chefs
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Panel discussion with:
Eric McDonnell, Chair for the San Francisco African American Reparations Advisory Committee &
Chris Lodgson, lead organizer with the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California (CJEC)
Join us for the whole day, or the part of the day that calls most to you! Space will be limited, so please register in advance to reserve your spot.
We will be collecting donations for this event, which will be split evenly between SF Black Wall Street, The Coalition for a Just and Equitable California (CJEC), and The Vegan Hood Chefs. More details coming.
*There are no stairs to enter this space. Masks are highly recommended when not eating or drinking. For our full covid policy, click here.
Bios
Chris Lodgson is a lead organizer and advocate with the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California (CJEC) and the Sacramento Reparations Collective. Both are grassroots, California-based organizations working for Reparations and Reparative Justice for descendants of persons emancipated in the United States (American Freedmen). CJEC is one of the seven community organizations selected by the California Reparations Task Force to conduct community outreach and education for Reparations. CJEC also helped write the final version of AB-3121, the law that created California's first-in-the-nation Reparations Task Force.
Chris is also the Community Organizing and Policy Manager in the Sacramento office of the Anti-recidivism Coalition (ARC), which empowers formerly and currently incarcerated people to thrive by providing a support network, comprehensive reentry services, and opportunities to advocate for policy change. Originally from New York City, now living in California, Chris has organized and advocated both independently, and with local community-based organizations, as well as with national nonprofit organizations, for over 13 years on both the East Coast and West Coast. In addition, Chris is also a strong advocate for Black-Owned businesses
Eric McDonnell is a People First Advocate, Strategist, Diversity Trainer, Executive Coach, and Keynote Speaker, in pursuit of positive impact in the world. With over 25 years of executive management and leadership experience, Eric provides strategic management consulting support to leaders and organizations in the non-profit, government, philanthropic, and private sectors. Services include – executive coaching, strategic planning, management and leadership development, DEI training, facilitation, and keynote speaking.
In his civic life, Eric served as the Chair of the SF Redistricting Task Force in 2011 and served as Commissioner for the SF Recreation and Parks Department 2013-2021. More recently, Eric served as the Chair for the San Francisco African American Reparations Advisory Committee 2021 - 2024. A native San Franciscan, Eric and his family live in the Bayview neighborhood, and he enjoys live music and cycling.
The Vegan Hood Chefs: Ronnishia Johnson and Rheema Calloway are The Vegan Hood Chefs. They specialize in turning many of our soul food and American style favorites into delicious vegan meals. Their passion for community organizing, creativity, and food has allowed them to launch a food initiative to help fight against food justice and social inequity within the San Francisco community. These chefs have recognized how nutrition education and access to healthy foods has contributed to the health conditions of many communities of color. Read more about them here.
Resources to help you prepare for our weekend together, recommended by our speakers:
The Atlantic – Ta Nehisi Coates Article - Case for Reparations
Article – Palm Springs: Section 14 - Reparations in Palm Springs
Bruce’s Beach - Return of Bruce's Beach - Video that traces the history of the land (Southern California) taken from and returned to the Bruce Family.
Additionally, please join Reconstructing Judaism over Zoom on Sunday, February 2nd at 10:00 am. for a panel discussion entitled “Reparations in Action: How to Move from Resolving to Repairing.” In this panel discussion, we will hear from different leaders in the movement about how Reconstructionist communities are committing to reparative action. Learn more and register here.