At Shoresh, we are committed to being Shomrei and Shomrot Adamah, protectors of the earth. We understand that humans have a pivotal role to play taking care of the natural world and the plants, creatures, and communities it sustains. In the spirit of gratitude and allyship, we acknowledge that we are situated on the traditional territory of the Wendat, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Anishinabek Nations.

At Bela Farm, the First Nations include the Petun and the Neutral First Nations. In the Toronto area, the Indigenous peoples also include the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nations, and the Metis Nation. As settlers who have built homes and communities here, we hold gratitude for the land that lovingly nourishes our families and for the indigenous wisdom of its peoples and our own traditions, which can help us to live our values and be responsible stewards of the earth.

As a Jewish organization that is deeply committed to pursuing justice and to creating anti-racist, equitable, and inclusive spaces, Shoresh is proud to be a signatory to No Silence on Race.

Shoresh stands in solidarity with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour), Black Jews, Indigenous Jews, and Non-Black Jews of Colour in our commitment to continuously challenging ourselves and our community to not remain silent in the face of ongoing and systemic racism, anti-Semitism, and all other forms of discrimination.

We pledge to dedicate critical thought, reflection, resources, and concrete action toward the pursuit of justice for People of Colour in our community, today and every day.

Shoresh is grateful for the nine pillars that No Silence on Race has shared with organizations in our community to help guide us in the implementation of truly equitable Jewish community spaces. Shoresh is committed to upholding these tenets and acknowledges that this important work must start immediately, but that it must also be long term, ongoing, community-based, and systematic.

Inspired by No Silence on Race, Shoresh commits to the following:
– Standing with Indigenous people and communities in their determination for sovereignty;
– Amplifying the voices of Black Jews, Non-Black Jews of Colour, Indigenous Jews, and other diverse Jewish voices;
– Educating ourselves and our community by seeking out and sharing resources as well as taking courses facilitated by BIPOC;
– Advocating for true listening on inclusion, diversity, and accessibility in our Jewish community.

Over the coming year, as we emerge from Covid-19 and scale back up our programming, Shoresh commits to the following:
– Partnering with local Jews of Colour and Indigenous groups/individuals to cohost land-based environmental educational workshops/events/programming;
– Forming connections with local Indigenous partners to educate ourselves and our community about Indigenous traditions regarding the land on which we live, garden, farm, and harvest;
– Forming an Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism Advisory Board.

For more information and to sign the aforementioned letter, please visit http://nosilenceonrace.ca.

In Solidarity,

Jillian Rodak
Chair, Board of Directors

Risa Alyson Cooper
Executive Director

Allie Shier
Managing Director