Congregation Or Ami, like many other Reform Jewish congregations, celebrates that Judaism has always been a mosaic, a beautiful collection of different-colored and shaped pieces. We are also “Mosaic” in that we connect back to Moses, a Hebrew child raised by Egyptians who married a non-Jewish woman of color and became the leader of his people.

We rejoice that at least 25% of the Jewish population is racially and ethnically diverse, including African, African American, Latino (Hispanic), Asian, Native American, Sephardic, Mizrahi, and mixed-race Jews by heritage and marriage. Also, cross-cultural and cross-racial adoptions have been a part of our history from biblical times. We welcome you to bring color, flavor, and fullness to our Congregation. Recognizing that we are all created b’tzelem Elohim (in the image of God), we are pleased to welcome the multicultural/multiracial/multiethnic Jewish individuals and families in our community. Rabbi Paul Kipnes is open and ready to welcome and speak with you.

Some couples that begin with two individuals from different backgrounds need to integrate separate lives into one family. Some families adopting a child from a different culture look to celebrate all parts of the child’s mosaic. Individual Jews, raised in multicultural homes, strive to be accepted as Jews, no questions asked. Remember: you are not alone. Congregation Or Ami, our Rabbis Paul Kipnes and Elana Rabishaw, and our Reform Jewish movement welcome you.

Congregation Or Ami is already proud to be a home congregation for many multiethnic, multiracial, and multicultural individuals, couples, and families, and we welcome you to share in the warmth of our community. We empower people to make Jewish choices for themselves and their families, and we strive to provide resources to inform educated decisions. We invite you to begin a conversation with Rabbi Paul Kipnes to share your hopes or questions about your or your family’s Jewish life.

Naming ourselves:
Challenges and Celebrations

How do we talk about ourselves when the language we have is too narrow and confining, like outdated racial categories on a census form? How do we describe a group for which there is no group label?

We must use what is admittedly inadequate language: “Jews of color,” “diverse Jews,” “racially and ethnically diverse Jews.” All of these terms refer to those who are in currently distinct subcultures from the majority Jewish community in the United States. Many people who fall into this category may not define themselves as “people of color” or as “Chinese, Vietnamese or Indian Jews,” yet many in the mainstream view them as being “other.” At Congregation Or Ami, we celebrate you as a Jew, no matter whatever name you call yourself by these people, whatever your origins and culture, whatever your skin tone or eye-shape, whatever your path to Judaism. You (and sometimes your family) are Jews, and we welcome you!