Berkeley Public Schools

Join BUSD in Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month / Únase a BUSD para Celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Judía Estadounidense

 

May 1, 2024

 

Dear Berkeley Unified community,

May is a rich month of heritage celebrations which includes BUSD’s third year celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month. Since 2006, May has been proclaimed as Jewish American Heritage Month so that we can center and honor the many lived and historical experiences of Jewish Americans. As is true of any community, there is no single way of being Jewish. In Berkeley Unified School District, we have a beautiful spectrum of the Jewish community represented by our students, staff, and families.

The Bay Area has an especially proud history of Jewish activism and spirituality embodying the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam– healing the world to make it a better place for all. It is in this spirit of Tikkun Olam, that we offer these resources to our community. And it is in this spirit that we honor all the ways that people are connected to Judaism here in BUSD: through birth, adoption, marriage/partnership, conversion, through secular and religious ties–we celebrate the diversity of the Jewish community. 

Among the resources shared, you will find first person stories and biographies of creatives representing some of the many ways that people connect to Judaism and Jewish heritage. Some members of the Jewish community are recognizable by the clothes (kippa/yarmulke, talit, tichel), or symbols they wear (star of David), and others you will only know by asking and listening to their stories. Through these resources we also strive to center Jewish community members who are too often marginalized.

In this month of May, it is important to unequivocally state that we as a district stand firmly against antisemitism and united against all forms of hate. We denounce the rise in antisemitic rhetoric against Jewish people and are committed to teaching about the history of antisemitism and the Holocaust. We also recognize that the Jewish American community is so much more than the stories of the discrimination against them and this month is an opportunity to shine a light on contemporary Jewish creatives and the resilience of the Jewish people.

 

BUSD’s Jewish American Heritage Month Resources and Events

Museum Visit Day – May 19

This if a flyer in purple and yellow with two flowers. The text says : Jewish American Heritage Month BUSD Museum Visit Day, UC Berkeley Magnes Museum of Jewish Art & Life, Sunday May 19, 2024, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, 2121 Allston Way. Free Admissions and Special Activities for Elementary Families.

On May 19, 2024 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm: BUSD will host a visit to UC Berkeley’s Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life located at 2121 Allston Way. While everyone is welcome, this event will focus on elementary families with special arts and history activities connected to exhibits. Admission is free, and BUSD staff will be there to welcome our students and families. 

 

Family Guides

This is a screenshot of the family guide for Jewish American Heritage Month it includes linked resources and has a portrait of Judith Heumann the pdf is linked belowPlease take advantage of BUSD’s Family Guide for Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month, compiled by the office of  Equity, Achievement and Belonging. It  provides resources for families to Listen, Learn, and Lift Up, as they celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month throughout May and beyond.

English

Spanish

Arabic (NOTE: BUSD’s translation provider is closed today for International Workers’ Day. This guide will be available on the BUSD website on 5/3/24. )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading Lists

These reading lists, organized by grade level, represent recently published books that celebrate Jewish-American heritage, affirm identity, and promote cultural awareness. Sharing these books is one part of our effort to develop a diverse consciousness with and for our youth and ensure they know they are not alone, and that they can speak out to help stop the spread of bigotry

 

Click on each book to access the associated list.

This is an image of a book called Nathan's Song., by Leda Schubert and Maya Ish-Shalom. It shows a boy standing on the roof of a building singing. You see the Statue of Liberty in the background

This is an image of the cover of a book called Big Dreams Small Fish by Paula Cohen. It shows a girl standing on one foot on a box while building a tall tower of cans. It indicates this is a book that links to a reading list for students in grades 1-2

This is the cover of a book called Thank You Dr. Salk written by Dean Robbins and photos by Mike Dutto. It shows a doctor walking outside with a group of young children and a dog. They are in a city and there is a sign on a building that says "The Scientist Who Beat Polio and Healed the World"

 

This is an image of a book called Chunky by Yehudi Mercado. It shows a friendly pink animal on the shoulders of a man in glasses how is happily carrying the monster.

This is an image of a book called Not Your All-American Girl by Madelyn Rosenberg and Wendy Wan-Long Shang. It shows a teenage girl in a hula-hoop with her arms raised over her head.

This is an image of a book called They Went Left by the best selling author of Girl in the Blue Coat, Monica Hesse. It shows a young woman walking through an area of destruction, as buildings appear to have collapsed.

 

Additional  BUSD Jewish American Heritage Month Resources 

Please also take a moment to review BUSD’s Jewish American Heritage Month TK-8 Teaching Guide and to visit the district’s Jewish American Heritage Month resources webpage. 

In celebration of our Jewish American school community, we are happy to present “Lifting Up BUSD Staff Jewish American Voices.” This is a poster campaign which shares stories and experiences of our Jewish American staff members with our students and community. Thank you to the staff members who participated in this campaign. 

This is an image depicting three of BUSD's "Lifting Up Jewish American Staff Voices" posters. Each poster has two images. The First, Mr. B's poster, has a young boy (Mr. B as a boy) smiling, with a baseball field in the background. The second image of Mr. B is as an adult, wearing a baseball cap, smiling, with what looks like the bleachers of a baseball stadium in the background. The next poster is Mollie Blustein's. It has an image of Mollie as a smiling girl, in black and white, and a color image of Mollie, again smiling, as an adult. The third poster is of Forrest Borie (Baruch Chaim). The first black and white image has what looks like three adults standing next to a fence, one with his hands up in the air. And the second image, in color, shows a young boy at the top of the steps of a school bus. He is wearing shorts and white socks with red stripes, and appears to have on a backpack. At the bottom of each poster it says "Jewish American Heritage Month" and then the Berkeley Unified logo. There is a clickable link under each poster to a readable PDF.

Click here to read Mr. B’s Poster.
Click here to read Mollie Blustein’s poster.
Click here to read Forest Borie’s poster.

 

These posters will be displayed at schools, work sites, on the BUSD website, and in  district publications throughout the month. We hope by sharing these narratives with our students, it will allow them to deepen their connections with Jewish American staff across the district.

In unity and שָׁלוֹם (shalom),


Enikia Ford Morthel
Superintendent

____________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Mayo 1, 2024

 

Estimada Comunidad en BUSD:

Mayo es un mes rico en celebraciones que incluye el tercer año en que BUSD celebra el Mes de la Herencia Judía Estadounidense. Desde 2006, mayo ha sido proclamado como el Mes de la Herencia Judía Estadounidense. Como ocurre en cualquier comunidad, no hay una única forma de ser Judío. En Berkeley Unified School District, tenemos un hermoso espectro de la comunidad Judía representada por nuestros estudiantes, miembros del personal y familias. 

El Área de la Bahía tiene una historia especialmente orgullosa de activismo y espiritualidad Judía que encarnan el concepto Judío de Tikun Olam– sanar el mundo para convertirlo en un lugar mejor para todos. Con este espíritu de Tikkun Olam, ofrecemos estos recursos a nuestra comunidad. Y es en este espíritu que honramos todas las formas en que las personas están conectadas con el Judaísmo y la historia y cultura Judía Estadounidense aquí en BUSD: A través del nacimiento, adopción, matrimonio/pareja, conversión y lazos seculares y religiosos–celebramos la diversidad de la comunidad Judía Estadounidense.

Entre los recursos compartidos, usted encontrará historias en primera persona y biografías de creativos representando algunas de las muchas formas en que la gente conecta con el Judaísmo y la herencia Judía. Algunos miembros de la comunidad Judía son reconocibles por la ropa (kippah/yarmulke, tallit, tefillin) o símbolos que usan (La Estrella de David o Star of David), y otros que sólo usted conocerá preguntando y escuchando sus historias. A través de estos recursos también nos esmeramos por centrarnos en los miembros de la comunidad Judía que con demasiada frecuencia son marginados.

En este mes de mayo, es importante afirmar que sin equivocación, como distrito, nos mantenemos firmemente en contra de antisemitismo, y unidos contra todas las formas de odio. Denunciamos el aumento de la retórica antisemita contra el pueblo Judío y nos comprometemos a enseñar las formas contemporáneas e históricas de antisemitismo, incluido el Holocausto, y lo que podemos hacer como comunidad para oponernos al odio. También reconocemos que la comunidad Judía Estadounidense es algo más que las historias de discriminación de las que son objeto. Este mes dedicamos un tiempo a los artistas Judíos contemporáneos y a la resistencia de las personas Judías.

 

Recursos y Eventos de BUSD para el Mes de la Herencia Judío Estadounidense

Día en el Museo – 19 de Mayo

El 19 de mayo, 2024 de las 11:00 am a las 2:00 pm: BUSD organizará una visita a la Colección Magnes de Arte y Vida Judíos de UC Berkeley, ubicada en 2121 Allston Way. Si bien todos son bienvenidos, este evento se centrará en las familias de primaria con actividades especiales de arte e historia relacionadas con las exhibiciones. La entrada es gratuita, y el personal de BUSD estará presente para dar la bienvenida a nuestros estudiantes y familias. 

Guías Familiares

Por favor tome ventaja de la Guía Familiar de BUSD para Celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Judía Estadounidense, recopilada por la oficina de Equidad, Rendimiento y Pertenencia. Ofrece recursos para que las familias Escuchen, Aprendan, y Levanten mientras celebran el Mes de la Herencia Judía Estadounidense a través de mayo y posteriormente.

This is a screenshot of the family guide for Jewish American Heritage Month it includes linked resources and has a portrait of Judith Heumann the pdf is linked below

Guías Familiares del Mes de la Herencia Judía Estadounidense

Inglés

Español

 

 

Listas de Lectura

Estas listas de lectura, organizadas por nivel de grado, representan libros publicados en los últimos años los cuales están dedicados a realzar la historia de los Asiático-Estadounidenses y de los Oriundos de las Islas del Pacífico, celebrando la herencia, afirmando la identidad y promoviendo el antirracismo. El compartir estos libros es una parte de nuestro esfuerzo por desarrollar una conciencia antirracista con y para nuestros jóvenes y garantizar que sepan que no están solos y que pueden hablar para ayudar a detener la propagación del fanatismo/intolerancia.

 

This is an image of a book called Nathan's Song., by Leda Schubert and Maya Ish-Shalom. It shows a boy standing on the roof of a building singing. You see the Statue of Liberty in the background

This is an image of the cover of a book called Big Dreams Small Fish by Paula Cohen. It shows a girl standing on one foot on a box while building a tall tower of cans. It indicates this is a book that links to a reading list for students in grades 1-2

This is the cover of a book called Thank You Dr. Salk written by Dean Robbins and photos by Mike Dutto. It shows a doctor walking outside with a group of young children and a dog. They are in a city and there is a sign on a building that says "The Scientist Who Beat Polio and Healed the World"

 

This is an image of a book called Chunky by Yehudi Mercado. It shows a friendly pink animal on the shoulders of a man in glasses how is happily carrying the monster.

This is an image of a book called Not Your All-American Girl by Madelyn Rosenberg and Wendy Wan-Long Shang. It shows a teenage girl in a hula-hoop with her arms raised over her head.

This is an image of a book called They Went Left by the best selling author of Girl in the Blue Coat, Monica Hesse. It shows a young woman walking through an area of destruction, as buildings appear to have collapsed.

 

Recursos Adicionales del Mes de la Herencia Judía Estadounidense

Por favor, tome usted también un momento para revisar la Guía de Enseñanza del Mes de la Herencia Judía Estadounidense de BUSD para los grados TK-8 y para visitar la  página web de Recursos del Mes de la Herencia Judía Estadounidense.
En celebración de nuestra comunidad escolar Judía Estadounidense, nos complace presentar “Lifting Up BUSD Staff Jewish American Voices”. Esta es una campaña de posters en la que se comparten historias y experiencias de los miembros de nuestro personal Judío Estadounidense con nuestros estudiantes y la comunidad. Nuestro agradecimiento a los numerosos miembros del personal que han participado en esta campaña.

 

This is an image depicting three of BUSD's "Lifting Up Jewish American Staff Voices" posters. Each poster has two images. The First, Mr. B's poster, has a young boy (Mr. B as a boy) smiling, with a baseball field in the background. The second image of Mr. B is as an adult, wearing a baseball cap, smiling, with what looks like the bleachers of a baseball stadium in the background. The next poster is Mollie Blustein's. It has an image of Mollie as a smiling girl, in black and white, and a color image of Mollie, again smiling, as an adult. The third poster is of Forrest Borie (Baruch Chaim). The first black and white image has what looks like three adults standing next to a fence, one with his hands up in the air. And the second image, in color, shows a young boy at the top of the steps of a school bus. He is wearing shorts and white socks with red stripes, and appears to have on a backpack. At the bottom of each poster it says "Jewish American Heritage Month" and then the Berkeley Unified logo. There is a clickable link under each poster to a readable PDF.

Haga clic aquí para leer este cartel.
Haga clic aquí para leer este cartel.
Haga clic aquí para leer este cartel.

Estos posters serán exhibidos en las escuelas, en los lugares de trabajo, en el sitio web de BUSD, y en las publicaciones del distrito durante todo el. Esperamos que el compartir estos relatos con nuestros estudiantes les permita profundizar sus conexiones con el personal Judío Estadounidense en todo el distrito.

En unidad y שָׁלוֹם (shalom),

Enikia Ford Morthel
Superintendente

 

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Notification of Non-Discrimination Policy:

The Berkeley Unified School District is committed to providing equal opportunity for all individuals in district programs and activities. Accordingly, BUSD programs and activities shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying based on actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression; nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. The Board shall promote programs which ensure that discriminatory practices are eliminated in all district activities. (Board Policy 0410, Board Policy 1311, Board Policy 4030, Board Policy 5145.3, Board Policy 5145.7)

The Board also prohibits retaliation against any district employee or job applicant who complains, testifies or in any way participates in the district's complaint procedures instituted pursuant to this policy. (Board Policy 4030)

Complaint forms are available at school sites and on the district webpage at www.berkeleyschools.net/complaints.

For inquiries or concerns regarding BUSD nondiscrimination policy 5145.3 or the filing of discrimination complaints please contact:
Jasmina Viteskic, Title IX Coordinator/Compliance Officer
2020 Bonar Street Room 116, Berkeley, CA 94702
Phone: 510.486.9338     Email: nondiscrimination@berkeley.net
More information is available at www.berkeleyschools.net/non-discrimination/.
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