In recent years, accusations of antisemitism - as well as real fears/concerns about it - have been repeatedly used to divide, distract and harm social justice movements. The Jewish Persistence pledge is designed to interrupt this cycle.
The pledge is an organizing tool to solidify sustained multiracial Jewish commitment to BLM, by organizing non-Black Jews to stay in the movement even when charges of antisemitism arise. In poetic and hopeful language, it creates a structure for 1:1 organizing conversations between non-Black Jews about committing for the long haul to Black liberation and to a model of empowered communal response to antisemitism.
This multiracial project was made possible by in-depth edits and strategic recommendations from Black Jewish contributors from across the country. The project's non-Black Jewish volunteers are committed to fundraising to compensate each Black Jewish contributor. Please help us raise $3,600 to affirm that in all areas of life, Black people's work and energy needs to be recognized and compensated.
Minimum goal: $3,600 would allow us to give at least $100 to each contributor, plus cover a few basic logistics costs (see below).
Maximum goal: $5,400 would meet the needs above & enable the project's Black Jewish organizer to deepen the incredible work they've done so far, with an emphasis on requests contributors have made for follow-up steps after the pledge is launched.
Note on logistics: We currently anticipate spending about $350 on logistics (for things like web hosting & an ASL interpreter). This round of fundraising is primarily focused on compensating the project's Black Jewish organizer and contributors. Should we raise more than the minimum during this round of fundraising, we commit to spend no more than 10% of it on logistics.