Yes, DEI has at times not been great for Jews who have not had a seat at the table, but right now America is burning the forest for the sake of some trees (and we Jews aren't the trees being saved).
I was hoping to find some explanation of this: "DEI has at times not been great for Jews who have not had a seat at the table," which I'm not sure I understand and don't agree with on face level - maybe somewhere in the series?
I appreciate the question, Evan. I have personally at times, as have other Jews I know, been told that the work of DEI should preference voices and perspectives of certain very specific oppressed minorities – and Jewish experiences of pain, othering, exclusion, or even violence are of less concern to the project of achieving diversity, equity inclusion, and justice.
If you have not had this experience, I’m very glad for you.
Thanks for that response. I've definitely shared my perspective and experiences as a Jew in DEI spaces and felt heard/welcomed, but I've heard others talk about feeling excluded. But even taking those experiences into account, I would dispute that DEI has not been good for Jews - even (and maybe especially) if the focus is on groups that are most often impacted by exclusion/oppression, the benefits of a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable society are de facto good for the Jews - and everyone else. And, in my last job, I was the DEI rep for my our local office to the global organization, so I definitely felt like I had a seat at the table. And I would guess that Jews are at least proportionally represented in such spaces.
You seem to be reacting to a blanket characterization that DEI has not been good for Jews. But as you quoted, I didn’t say that. I am very much of the opinion, and intend to explore with further posts, that the underlying values of DEI work are good for America and definitely good for the Jewish people. This is in part because we too have been an oppressed minority and in equal or greater part because our Jewish values should call us to aspire to a more inclusive and compassionate America.
I’m glad to hear that you’ve had a seat at the table. But I would caution against dismissing too quickly those who feel they have not. It’s possible the things you felt called to say at those tables are not the same as concerns other Jews have had ignored or dismissed
I was hoping to find some explanation of this: "DEI has at times not been great for Jews who have not had a seat at the table," which I'm not sure I understand and don't agree with on face level - maybe somewhere in the series?
I appreciate the question, Evan. I have personally at times, as have other Jews I know, been told that the work of DEI should preference voices and perspectives of certain very specific oppressed minorities – and Jewish experiences of pain, othering, exclusion, or even violence are of less concern to the project of achieving diversity, equity inclusion, and justice.
If you have not had this experience, I’m very glad for you.
Thanks for that response. I've definitely shared my perspective and experiences as a Jew in DEI spaces and felt heard/welcomed, but I've heard others talk about feeling excluded. But even taking those experiences into account, I would dispute that DEI has not been good for Jews - even (and maybe especially) if the focus is on groups that are most often impacted by exclusion/oppression, the benefits of a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable society are de facto good for the Jews - and everyone else. And, in my last job, I was the DEI rep for my our local office to the global organization, so I definitely felt like I had a seat at the table. And I would guess that Jews are at least proportionally represented in such spaces.
You seem to be reacting to a blanket characterization that DEI has not been good for Jews. But as you quoted, I didn’t say that. I am very much of the opinion, and intend to explore with further posts, that the underlying values of DEI work are good for America and definitely good for the Jewish people. This is in part because we too have been an oppressed minority and in equal or greater part because our Jewish values should call us to aspire to a more inclusive and compassionate America.
I’m glad to hear that you’ve had a seat at the table. But I would caution against dismissing too quickly those who feel they have not. It’s possible the things you felt called to say at those tables are not the same as concerns other Jews have had ignored or dismissed