Biracial Jew looking for synagogue
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| Adas Israel! Please come visit! Also Adat Shalom (Reconstructionist). And I know the current request is for a synagogue, but your kid will also feel super-welcome at Camp Havaya (check out the videos, etc., on the camp website; there is a bus from Adat Shalom). Wherever your family lands will be so lucky to have you! |
Anonymous
| I found the most welcoming place to be Chabad. It has a lot of haters, but for me the reform Jews and other groups were just not very welcoming in general. Also, very expensive. Some people disagree with the theological aspects of Chabad, but I am not that picky in that respect, and just wanted people to be friendly and make my mixed family feel at home, and that's what I found there. |
Anonymous
| Kol Ami in Arlington is very welcoming. http://www.kolamivirginia.org/ |
Anonymous
This is actually a good point, I have met matrilineal Jews of all races who found a home at Chabad. I personally do not like to attend services at Chabad as a woman but I do enjoy their Shabbat meals when I travel. |
Anonymous
|
I’m a matrilineal Jew who has felt nothing but welcomed by Shaare Torah in Gaithersburg.
As for POC, we definitely have members who are POC. |
Anonymous
Not. These are liberals who think that they are not racists. |
Anonymous
|
Black/Biracial Jew here. I'm not religious, but my ex-BF and his family were all members of Adas Israel, and I felt very welcomed there. And the microaggressions were minimal.
Also, I had good experiences with Chabad when I was younger, and they are is usually very welcoming to matrilineal Jews regardless of how you look. |
Anonymous
Can confirm. I'm a Black/Biracial Jew who did not have a good experience with the Beth Chai community. I would not recommend them to other black families. |
Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
| Adas Israel in DC talks the talk, but they have VERY few members relative to their size that are POC. In terms of diversity, their focus seems to be concentrate exclusively on the LGBTQIA, Non-Binary community. |
Anonymous
|
Micah has some members of color, interfaith families, and interracial families. The congregation has a long-term relationship with Operation Understanding DC (including having its former ED as a member) and there are other non-white and/or adopted kids in the religious school. I'm a member and while it's not perfect, I like a lot of things about it. I know others at Tifereth Israel and Hill Havurah who like those congregations--a lot probably depends on where you live and what denomination you prefer.
Also, the DCJCC has a Jews of Color group and they are doing a Sukkot event next month https://www.edcjcc.org/event/celebrate-sukkot-with-jews-of-color-and-their-families/?instance_id=80390 so that might be a good place to connect with others and see which congregations they recommend! |
Anonymous
| If drake pulled up to the dmv and wanted to go to a service, he wouldn’t be welcome? |
Anonymous
| drake? Can you elaborate? |
Anonymous
| It's not easy. That said, long term you seem to want warmth and caring, chabad can give that. They will if you're matrilineal. you'll be unusual in any community, so try to think long term |
Anonymous
Chabad has a notorious history of racism/colorism against Mizrachim et al, and also problematic views for women and girls. Hard pass. |