At the Intersection of Racism and Anti-Semitism: An Online Workshop with Yavilah McCoy

UNC Asheville’s Center for Jewish Studies presents an online workshop with Yavilah McCoy, At the Intersection of Racism and Anti-Semitism, on Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 7-8:30 p.m. This event is free and open to everyone, with pre-registration required at this link.

Co-sponsors for this event are Carolina Jews for Justice, Congregation Beth Israel, and Congregation Beth HaTephila.

Event Description from the Organizers

In this workshop, we’ll examine racism and anti-Semitism as related ideologies and work to understand how these ideologies impact the Black and Jewish communities—with particular attention paid to those whose identities lie at the intersection of these two groups. We’ll explore the historical context for Jewish and Black partnership in social justice work and map the current cultural moment in order to develop a common understanding, foster relationships, and build more effective coalitions.

About Yavilah McCoy

Yavilah McCoy is founder of Ayecha, an organization dedicated to Jewish people of color, and she continues work on equity and inclusion as CEO of Dimensions Educational Consulting.

A teacher, writer, editor and diversity consultant, McCoy was born and raised in an orthodox Jewish home in Brooklyn, N.Y. Her grandparents converted to Judaism, and she continues the traditions handed to her over three generations as part of her African American Jewish family.

She is a certified trainer for the Anti-Defamation League’s World of Difference Institute, the National Conference for Community and Justice, and the National Coalition Building Institute, and a certified coach for the Auburn Theological Seminary Pastoral Training Program. McCoy also co-authored and performed The Colors of Water, a 2009 theater piece sharing the history of the generations of her family. She was a leader of the Jewish delegation to the 2017 Women’s March.

For more information, email Doria Killian, director of UNC Asheville’s Center for Jewish Studies, and assistant professor of German, at dkillian@unca.edu.