In Response to the Recent Overturning
of Roe v. Wade
Ta’amod stands firmly in support of the right of all individuals to safe and private access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion.
We take comfort and strength from San Diego’s community of Jewish Professionals when they say that, "In the coming days, months, and years we will continue to fight and advocate for our Jewish values that cherish life, dignity, and enshrine the individual’s rights to make their own reproductive choices according to their own conscience. May we find the redemptive strength and courage to restore that which has been stripped away."
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Welcome back!
After taking a short break, we are delighted to welcome you back to the monthly Ta’amod newsletter! We can't wait to share exciting news about Ta’amod’s growing team and update you on news and current programs. Plus, we’ll help you wrap-up Pride Month with some LGBTQ+ inspired reflection – because what’s a Ta’amod newsletter without a little Torah??
Happy Pride Month from the Ta'amod Team!
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Artwork courtesy of Sophie Nevarez (age 12), a strong and passionate young leader of Southern California’s Jewish community |
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Early June brought the Jewish holiday of Shavuot. In many Jewish communities, people gathered with one another in person or virtually and studied the Book of Ruth, a story about two women who, through adversity and loss, realize a true sense of belonging by choosing to stay together. For these reasons and more, this Shavuot text is a perfect fit for Pride Month! Among lessons of generosity and acceptance, the Book of Ruth is a story of loyalty, identity, and the unique sense of belonging that comes from one’s chosen family.
What is a Chosen Family?
“‘Chosen Family’ is a term employed within queer and transgender (Q/T) communities to describe family groups constructed by choice rather than by biological or legal (bio-legal) ties.”
Essentially, the phrase ‘chosen family’ refers to groups of people who have made the decision to nurture, support, and love one another without needing blood to connect them.
Ruth and Her Chosen Family
Ruth’s decision to stand by Naomi as chosen family resonates with many – the millions of people who joined together to form “pods” during the COVID-19 pandemic; a nation of people standing among and beside the Black community to celebrate and recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday; and the many people in the LGBTQ+ community who find familial support in one another after losing biological family from damaging, homophobic ideology. Ruth’s success came about through her unwavering dedication to her chosen family. In this way, she teaches us that we, too, can be empowered in choosing our support systems and achieving that fundamental sense of belonging.
Ta’amod believes the workplace community is at its strongest when everyone feels included, safe, seen, and thoughtfully challenged. Consider your professional team as a sort of chosen family – people you have chosen to surround yourself with in a creative capacity. What can you do to deepen a sense of belonging among your team so that everyone feels safe enough to collaborate, take risks, push boundaries, and reach new heights? Through respectful curiosity and frequent opportunities for feedback, workplaces can create the kind of belonging that can boost a team's collective intelligence and maximize their fullest potential.
Take a moment to reflect about the communities you have chosen to surround yourself with. How does your community show up for you? Where do you feel the greatest sense of belonging? How does feeling supported help you learn new things?
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While we were away, Ta’amod has been busy and growing! We are thrilled to introduce you to our two newest team members: Debbie Nehmad and Toby Landry! |
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Debbie Nehmad (she/her)
Program Manager
Debbie is a program creator, educator, and public speaker from Brooklyn, NY. After receiving her master’s from Bank Street College of Education, Debbie spent 7 years as a classroom teacher guiding young minds to think critically and lead empathically in hopes of shaping a more just future. In addition to joining the Ta’amod team, Debbie creates and manages original anti-bullying programming initiatives for students, teachers, and parents of Jewish day schools in the New York area both independently and through her partnership with The SAFE Foundation. She believes that through impactful learning, meaningful discourse, and honest reflection, we can catalyze lasting, systemic change toward a society that is truly equitable for all. When not at work, Debbie can likely be found picking up a new hobby, watching Shark Tank reruns, or befriending the neighborhood dogs in Riverside Park. She lives with her husband in New York City.
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Toby Landry (they/he)
Communications Specialist
Toby Landry is an instructor and digital content creator from Torrance, CA. Toby studied Behavioral Science from California State University of Dominguez Hills, giving them the opportunity to support pet retail companies in creating Animal-Assisted Therapy curriculum and design psychology curriculum for college-preparatory summer programs. Toby Landry utilizes their experience as a design lab instructor at a Montessori school to approach content design with curiosity and authenticity. Toby is a new resident of San Diego, CA, a huge change after relocating from Natick, Massachusetts with their wife, dog, and cat. Toby holds their new community close to their heart and participates with a local LGBTQ+ youth group as a mentor and group facilitator. Toby enjoys supporting local events with their knowledge of technical theater and have even been known to DJ at local Purim festivals. When taking a technology break, you can find Toby working on a new painting, teaching their dog some new tricks, or doing yard work in the orchard.
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It is with tremendous pride and gratitude that we share the news of Ta’amod’s Chief Executive Officer, Nicole Nevarez, being selected to join the 13th cohort of UpStart’s Venture Accelerator Program! Nicole is one of just 10 leaders in the cohort to be chosen from a large list of applicants for their dedication to inclusivity, creativity, and vision by working together to develop sustainable models for funding and growth. Mazel tov, Nicole!
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This month, Ta'amod partnered with The Jewish Education Project and the Association of Reform Jewish Educators to launch “Creating Healthy Jewish Workplaces,” a 4-part summer intensive training program for congregational educators. With a specific lens on the experience of being a middle manager, participants are deepening their understanding of psychological safety in the workplace, exploring universal themes around respect and equity through a lens of Jewish wisdom, and gaining tangible tools to bring back to their communities.
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We look forward to working with SketchPad Chicago to bring our training to incredible organizations like JCUA, SVARA, and more this summer!
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We would also like to lift up each of the following wonderful organizations for participating in our Core Training and other Ta’amod Programming over the last few months. Thank you for your partnership!
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We loved working with JCC Chicago through their psychological safety and harassment trainings. Check us out in their article,
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In our Core Training, we explore how to foster workplaces where all parties feel safe and supported. As we mentioned earlier, one critical feature of a truly safe and inclusive workplace is that all members experience a sense of belonging. What features of your environment help you feel a sense of belonging?
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Ta'amod's unprecedented curriculum is the only legally compliant workplace training framed in Jewish values.
Our content is data-driven, offering participants tangible tools for cultivating a healthy workplace culture framed by Jewish wisdom and accountability.
With emphasis on power dynamics, psychological safety, and accountability, we are here to help you and your organizations intrinsically reduce the risk of harassment, abuse, and harm.
More info at our FAQ here.
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Ta'amod: Stand up! is fiscally sponsored by Mission Edge San Diego. |
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