Bend the Arc is a movement of tens of thousands of progressive Jews across America who are working together to achieve our vision: to transform our country to be inclusive, equitable, and supportive of the dignity of every person across race, class, gender and faith. We are educating and training the next generation of diverse Jewish leadership we need on the frontlines.

Bend the Arc is building a multiracial, multiethnic, intergenerational movement of Jews and allies all across the country who are rising up to build an American future free from white supremacy, antisemitism, and racism.

JOIN for Justice is the only institution dedicated solely to training, supporting, and connecting Jewish organizers and the organizations they serve. They identify, recruit, train, develop, place and mentor hundreds of top-quality Jewish organizers in lay and professional positions inside and outside of the Jewish community, transforming and strengthening individuals and institutions as they work for a more just, inclusive and compassionate society.

The Shards of Light Foundation has recommended grants to JOIN’s Seminary Leadership Project and Jews of Color Organizing Fellowship.

The Seminary Leadership Project provides training for seminary students and mentoring for new clergy interested in applying organizing skills to increase community engagement.

The Jews of Color Organizing Fellowship is a year-long paid community organizing fellowship with city hubs in New York City, Chicago, and the San Francisco Bay area that provides field experience and professional development for an intergenerational cohort Jews of Color looking for the opportunity to sharpen their change making skills and be trained as community organizers.

Kumi: An Anti-Oppression Teen Leadership Experience

Kumi*, a project of Moving Traditions is a unique opportunity for Jewish teens (11th and 12th graders) to help prepare them for bold leadership and activism on college campuses, in social justice spaces, and wherever their passions take them. Participants learn the tools needed to interrupt racism, antisemitism, and other manifestations of oppression. Together, they will contribute to the building of more inclusive communities and movements for justice as Jews.

Through their experience in Kumi, participants will be challenged to explore their own Jewish identity and build the skills to turn their values into action. Participants are given training and support to engage in difficult conversations including how to talk and think about Israel, when so much of the current discourse is polarized and creates simplified binaries.

Shards of LIght is proud to be a founding funder of this exciting  program.

*Kumi (pronounced koo-me) means “Wake Up!” or “Stand Up!” in Hebrew. This name was chosen to represent the intertwined importance of learning deeply about ourselves and the world around us (“Wake up!”), and the need to use that knowledge to support justice in our community (“Stand up!”).