Fortification for Mobilization
Invoking Jewish Tradition for Resilient and Joyful Action
From 2020-2021, Rise Up partnered with Bend the Arc: Jewish Action and JOIN for Justice to present the "Fortification for Mobilization" series for Jewish activists and leaders who were organizing, guiding, and/or supporting others in mobilizing voters.
We knew Jews all over the country were taking action amidst a global health pandemic, economic crisis, and a national uprising to manifest racial justice. And we knew they were likely facing exhaustion and rage.
While we couldn't be together in person, we could gather virtually as a Jewish community to sing, pray, sit, hear Torah, and more – a time to derive nourishment and guidance from the tradition as we stepped into the storm. This 5-session series was led by Jewish teachers and practitioners skilled at opening a range of portals into the wisdom of Jewish tradition, including text study, song, contemplation, embodiment, and ritual. Participants left with the grounding, inspiration, and community, all things that are needed to sustain us as we continue to be called to rise to the occasion.
SESSIONS
Grounding this Moment in the Joy of Torah (October 18, 2020)
Featuring teaching from R. David Jaffe from Inside Out Wisdom and Action Project, R. Abbi from Jewish Theological Seminary, song from R Mónica Gomery, Margot Seigle and Sol Weiss from Let My People Sing! and call to action from Kendra Watkins of Detroit Jews for Justice. Slides with the songs and teaching can be found here.
Facing the Fire with Jewish Ritual (November 1, 2020)
Featuring teaching from Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife from Kesher Pittsburgh and R. Diane Elliott, Adam Horowitz and Rachel Milford from Taproot, with music from the Mizrahi Collective and call to action from Graie Hagans of Bend the Arc.
Moving Through Time in Our Jewish Bodies (November 15, 2020)
Featuring teaching from Yoshi Silverstein from the Mitsui Collective and Julie Emden from Embodied Jewish Learning, with music from Rabbi Sandra Lawson and call to action from Dove Kent of Bend the Arc.
Rekindling Light Through Talmud (December 6, 2020)
Featuring teaching from Laynie Solomon from SVARA and Jessica Belasco from the Disability Justice Torah Circle, music from Laura Lassy Townsend and Ira Khonen Temple, and a call to action from Jordan Berg Powers of Mass Alliance and JOIN for Justice.
Meditating on Jewish Prophecy: Looking to Our Future (January 10, 2021)
Featuring teaching from R. Ari Lev Fornari and R. Dev Noily from Synagogues Rising, music from Amelia Lavranchuk and call to action from Yehudah Webster from Jews for Economic and Racial Justice.