A Partnership in Economic Opportunity

Action

The Nehemiah Initiative

A Partnership in Economic Opportunity

Action

The Nehemiah Initiative

Black leaders have identified housing discrimination as a key source of the wealth gap between Blacks and Whites in America.

Economic equality means reversing the impact of that discrimination. Over the past 40 years, gentrification has reduced the Black population in Seattle’s Central District from 85% to 15%. The Nehemiah Initiative is a collaboration between Black churches in the CD and the University of Washington School of Architecture. It aims to stabilize the Black population in the CD through the creation of affordable housing and opportunities for home ownership. Through its connection with BJBBC, The Nehemiah Initiative is seeking the support and partnership of the Jewish community in this venture.

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Participating in the Bible studies group allows me to be in community with neighbors I’ve never before known and to open my eyes and heart to their experiences of struggle, vulnerability, hope and strength. I’ve studied these stories all my life, but I’ve never encountered them with such relevance and presence.
Diane Douglas
I have found great joy in the Blacks and Jews Building Beloved Community project through participation in discussion groups and Bible studies. Two years ago I participated in the first Bible study, which transitioned to a "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" program. The new program was designed to help build relationships between Black and Jewish communities over the long term and the person I was paired with has become a dear friend. We have met consistently once a week for the past two year and the experience has been transformational in my learning more about the Jewish culture and her learning more about the Black culture. We have supported each other through the various traumatic experiences of racism and antisemitism over the past few years. We have also celebrated with each other through joyful life transitions and accomplishments of aspirational goals. Through my service on the advisory board, I have the opportunity to share my vision on how we can create more experiences for Blacks and Jews to Build Beloved Community.
Dr. Angela Griffin
Rabbi Jay and Dr. Mark have done an outstanding job organizing multiple series of powerful Building Beloved Community interactive discussions for the Black and Jewish communities. While each meeting begins with Bible text to create neutral and mutually relatable content, discussions quickly launch into passionate, deeply resonating topics with personal histories, stories, and pleas. Conversations and experiences are shared with truth, emotion, and sincere openness. We lean into the belief that supporting each other will proceed at the speed for which trust and relationships are built. I made a dear new friend through my participation in this group. We’ve met on Zoom once a week for two years since the start of the Pandemic. This group and our growing relationships are a personal inspiration and can serve as a model that would greatly benefit all communities. I hope to see an expansion of this noble and worthwhile mission.
Etana Kunovsky
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Rabbi Jay and Dr. Mark have done an outstanding job organizing multiple series of powerful Building Beloved Community interactive discussions for the Black and Jewish communities. While each meeting begins with Bible text to create neutral and mutually relatable content, discussions quickly launch into passionate, deeply resonating topics with personal histories, stories, and pleas. Conversations and experiences are shared with truth, emotion, and sincere openness. We lean into the belief that supporting each other will proceed at the speed for which trust and relationships are built. I made a dear new friend through my participation in this group. We’ve met on Zoom once a week for two years since the start of the Pandemic. This group and our growing relationships are a personal inspiration and can serve as a model that would greatly benefit all communities. I hope to see an expansion of this noble and worthwhile mission.
Etana Kunovsky