History

  • 2018 – Strategic Planning Process
    • As part of the environmental scan and review of successes and challenges, JOIN alumni of Color identified that they had unique needs that were not being fully met through the Jewish Organizing Fellowship. The JOIN board identified the need to prioritize new programs that would invest in the training Jews of Color, and committed to creating a Jews of Color Organizing Fellowship in the coming 5 year period.
  • August 2020 – January 2021 – Research and Discovery
    • Funded by the Jews of Color Initiative, former JOIN Board member and Consultant Megan Madison embarked on qualitative research to determine if there was a need for an organizing training program for Jews of Color. Megan performed an intensive series of interviews with Jewish Organizers of Color who shared that they feel isolated and experience a non-stop demand from people who recognize the unique role that people with their identities and organizing skills can only play. Through these conversations it became clear that building the pipeline of Jewish Leaders of Color who know how to use the skills of organizing for social change is a critical step in building a better, more just future.
  • February 2021 – Proposing a Vision and Fundraising Efforts
    • JOIN launched fundraising efforts for the Jews of Color Organizing Fellowship at an event for funders where Megan Madison, with the support of JOIN staff,  presented a draft program sketch created from her research.
  • August 2021  – Initial Program Planning
    • JOIN staff Kat Macias held two focus groups with Jews of Color where they presented the program sketch Megan Madision created and sought feedback on key elements such as program structure and cohort composition.
  • September 2021 – Finalizing Geographic Clusters
    • JOIN held conversations with people in various parts of the country to identify clusters where there would be interest, partnership opportunities existed, support networks for Jews of Color were strong, and funders were eager to support the vision. Chicago and the Bay Area identified as the first two sites for the program.
  • April 2022 – Co-Directors Hired
  • August 2022 – Third City Selected
    • New York City is identified as the third and final site for the 2023 program.