Jewish Social Justice Roundtable is a network of nonprofit organizations, most of them Jewish cultural or community groups, that support left-of-center social initiatives. It aims to make social justice philanthropy a focal point of Jewish culture.

Background

Jewish Social Justice Roundtable is a network of nonprofit organizations, most of them Jewish cultural or community groups, that support left-of-center initiatives. It aims to make social justice philanthropy a focal point of Jewish culture. ¹

Jewish Social Justice Roundtable views itself as fulfilling certain Jewish traditions of justice and “the beauty and multiplicity of Jewish identities.” According to official statements, the network strives to achieve an “equitable world in which power is shared” by “transforming systems and ideologies” toward that end. ²

Partners

As a network, the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable is made of members and partners, most of which are left-of-center organizations. Jewish Social Justice Roundtable defines “members” as organizations that see social justice as their main objective; are committed to internal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) standards; have a budget of at least $250,000; and have an executive director or CEO. As of November 2022, some these included ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, American Jewish World Service, Avodah, Bend the Arc, Central Conference of American Rabbis, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), Hazon, JOIN for Justice, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, Jewish Labor Committee, Keshet, National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), New Israel Fund, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, and Union for Reform Judaism. ³

The Roundtable defines partners as organizations that are either smaller than members or that are not primarily focused on social justice. As of November 2022, these included 18Doors, Ameinu, Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, JCRC of St. Louis, Jewish Community High School of the Bay, Jewish Emergent Network, Jewish Multiracial Network, Jewish Veg, Jewish Women’s Archive, Jewish World Watch, Jewtina y Co., jGirls+ Magazine, Kavod, Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, Mayyim Hayyim, Mitsui Collective, Moving Traditions, Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies, New York Jewish Agenda, the Shalom Center, Tikkun Ha-Ir of Milwaukee, Tivnu: Building Justice, Tzedek Lab, Uri L’Tzedek, Wilderness Torah, and Yaffed: Young Advocates for Fair Education. ⁴

Racial Justice Resources

Jewish Social Justice Roundtable breaks down which of its affiliates (as well as other Jewish organizations) are motivated by racial justice issues on its “Racial Justice Resources” page. Another list, “Resources for Addressing Racism Within Organizations,” features links to Crossroads Ministry, Race Forward’s “Racial Equity Impact Assessment Tool,” Racial Equity Tool’s various resources, and Equity in the Center’s Awake to Woke to Work initiative. ⁵

Leadership

As of 2022, Abby Levine was the executive director of Jewish Social Justice Roundtable. Levine previously worked as the leader of America Votes’ coalition in Columbus, Ohio. She was also a founding staff member of the San Francisco branch for Bend the Arc (formerly Progressive Jewish Alliance), a left-of-center advocacy group chaired and funded by Alexander Soros, son of billionaire financier and liberal mega-donor George Soros. ⁶

In 2022, Jewish Social Justice Roundtable’s leadership team was comprised of CEO of Avodah Cheryl Cook, executive director of Jews United for Justice Jacob Feinspan, Bend the Arc board member Ginna Green, CEO of T’ruah Rabbi Jill Jacobs, president and CEO of Keshet Idit Klein, director of Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism Rabbi Jonah Pesner, founder and CEO of Dayenu Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, executive director of Jews for Racial and Economic Justice Audrey Sasson, and Rabbinical student Evan Traylor. ⁷

1. “Mission.” Jewish Social Justice Roundtable. Accessed November 16, 2022. https://www.jewishsocialjustice.org/mission.
2. “Mission.” Jewish Social Justice Roundtable. Accessed November 16, 2022. https://www.jewishsocialjustice.org/mission.
3. “Affiliate List.” Jewish Social Justice Roundtable. Accessed November 16, 2022. https://www.jewishsocialjustice.org/affiliate-list.
4. “Affiliate List.” Jewish Social Justice Roundtable. Accessed November 16, 2022. https://www.jewishsocialjustice.org/affiliate-list.
5. “Racial Justice Resources.” Jewish Social Justice Roundtable. Accessed November 16, 2022. https://www.jewishsocialjustice.org/racial-justice-resources.
6. “Team.” Jewish Social Justice Roundtable. Accessed November 16, 2022. https://www.jewishsocialjustice.org/our-team.
7. “Team.” Jewish Social Justice Roundtable. Accessed November 16, 2022. https://www.jewishsocialjustice.org/our-team.