Testimonials
Want to share your experience at Ammud?
“Parasha Study genuinely inspired a life-changing reframing of my relationship with Judaism in relation to what is mentioned in the Torah.
We were discussing the instructed displacement/cleansing of the folks who were already in Israel before we left Egypt and this didn't sit well with me. For years I have struggled with much of what is mentioned in the Torah, both in the laws required and the events that take place that don't align with my personal value system. In the Zoom room, I asked everyone how they have personally learned to mesh ALL that is mentioned in the Torah with their own ethics and values, without compromising what we feel to be truly ethical.
To this, Rabbi Heather responded that there is, of course, no one right answer, but one way to look at it is that all that is mentioned in the Torah is essentially our origin story, which also includes how we may have messed up, how we may have been destructive or toxic and how we ourselves may have been the oppressor, but from this, we can learn and choose to be better.
This has not only inspired me but has brought me closer to my Jewish identity and has strengthened my call to uphold justice in my own community. ”
— Sage Cassell-Rosenberg, they/them/theirs or he/him/his
“Ammud is phenomenal! I have found refuge, love, and support from its programming and Hebrew language courses. Ammud exemplifies the best of our Jewish values. Thank you!”
— Ramona Tenorio, she/her/ella
“This was a great and affirming place to practice Hebrew. Even though it was online I felt close to everyone involved and felt like I was part of a community. I’m very grateful for this opportunity to grow as a Jew!”
— Nia Crosley, she/her
“Class at Ammud was fun and effective. I learned with ease while building connection and community. It was amazing to become friends with our teacher and classmates.”
— Luis Burgos, he/him
“This class was about trying to figure out where our home was, and when and how we could get there. More than anything, I learned that my home is right here: in community with other Jews of color.”
— Robin Banerji, he/him
“Although I have taught in a variety of Jewish settings, teaching for Ammud was a uniquely rewarding experience. Not only did I feel more comfortable as a teacher, I also knew that Ammud’s by-JOC, for-JOC approach made it possible for me to share Torah with Jews who might not feel welcome in other Jewish learning spaces.”
— Daniel Delgado, he/him
“I’ve had such beautiful experiences with Lomdim courses I’ve taken with Ammud, and feel so affirmed in my Judaism as a result. Everyone from the teachers to the Ammud staff to fellow classmates have taught me how vital the Torah of Jews of Color is. For the first time, I feel like Judaism has reached my actual cells, rather than remaining mostly in my head. When I think about how grateful I am that this space and all of the people in it exist, I am humbled. Thanks to Ammud, I’ve made some precious new friendships and reinvented Jewish rituals that I will treasure forever.”
— Kristin Eriko Posner, she/her
“My friend asked me to join and I said yes. I am so glad I did! I love what yall are doing. Y’alls super organization and connection as a team was felt through your logistical space holding. I didn’t really know what I was signing up for beyond a workshop in identity inquiry. What I got out of it was a profound connection with being part of a story. That I am included in it and not outside of it because I do not fit a mold. And that there is space for a Sephardic Jew like me.”
— Jonah Vitale-Wolff, he/him
“Ammud is the Jewish space I needed long ago but didn’t know existed. Participating in the Lomdim cycles was heart revealing and healing.”
— K, they/them/he/him
“Ammud is truly a space where I feel I can bring all the facets of my multi-cultural Jewish identity, and also wrestle with thought-provoking concepts amongst like-minded peers. With each course, I feel I learn more about myself and grow more confident in my identity as a Jew of Color.”
— Emily McDonnell, she/her
“Yesod was an amazing introduction to Hebrew that didn’t assume anything about our previous knowledge but also treated us like adults. I felt in charge of my learning and fully supported. Learning with Jews of Color made me feel like I could bring my whole self—I didn’t have to show off or choose not to share too much.”
— Emet L. Monts, they/them
“Learning about Savlanut (patience), especially during these uncertain times, felt grounding and complete. Studying and discussing with other BIPOC Jews allowed me to show up more fully as myself. It was also a great opportunity to connect with BIPOC Jews across the country, as these relationships and sacred community are crucial for our collective liberation. Thank you Kelly, Arielle and Sarah for an amazing experience; looking forward to more Lomdim!”
— Bekkah Scharf, she/her
“My heart has felt so full from all of the programming that you offered this past year and I finally feel like I’m starting to find my place in Judaism. I can’t wait to learn more alongside folks this coming year.”
— Sy Simms, they/them
“The superb seminars in the Lomdim series were led by exemplary educators: Generous, knowledgeable, attentive, kind, passionate, and engaging. With the Torah centered, their pedagogical approaches, inclusive of selected complementary resources (e.g. texts, music), prompted deep engagements as evidenced by the lively and thoughtful discussions that took place. Attentive to matters of accessibility and differentiated instruction, each educator seamlessly and skillfully strove to curate their instructional approaches towards widening paths of engagement across participants’ various points of entry.
“When alarming and devastating tragedies unfolded (e.g., anti-Black racist massacre in Buffalo, N.Y., school shootings), the instructors gently held space for participants to lean into the wisdom of Torah: Making space to sit, breathe, listen, be heard, mourn, witness, process, and testify. Their having done so was significant, meaningful, and relevant. Thank you for this magnificent, engaging, and enlightening learning opportunity. Insights gleaned from this deep well of learning continue to accompany my engagement with Torah and community.”
— Lara Doan, they/them