Racial Justice Committee (RJC)

Selected National Organizations:

• Be’chol Lashon (Hebrew for “in every language”) celebrates and prioritizes diversity as a Jewish value by uplifting the historic and contemporary racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity of the Jewish people and in doing so, strengthens the entire Jewish community. We offer a variety of opportunities for individuals, families, and organizations to learn about and celebrate Jewish diversity.

• Jewbian Princess: April Powers and Kiyomi Kowalski are proud, Black, Jewish women who are committed to eradicating racism, sexism, misogyny, ableism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, transphobia and homophobia in the Jewish community and beyond.

• Jews of Color Initiative’s mission is to advance racial equity in the U.S. Jewish community by centering the leadership of Jews of Color and ensuring that our communities and institutions reflect the multiracial reality of the Jewish people.

• The Jews of Color Mishpacha Project brings individuals, communities, organizations, and Jewish institutions together to this gathering place for Jewish People of Color and our families/allies/accomplices. We also welcome our POC family members to join in the homecoming.

• The Jews of Color Organizing Fellowship is the first-ever national Fellowship program training Jews of Color (JOCs) in community organizing. The Fellowship provides training, mentorship, a living wage organizing job, and community support to help adult participants grow into powerful community organizers and social movement leaders.

• The LUNAR Collective cultivates connection, belonging and visibility for Asian American Jews through intersectional community programming and authentic digital storytelling.

• The National Center for Black-Jewish relations was established in 1990 to reduce hostilities that seemed to be emerging between members of the African American and Jewish communities at the time. The now relaunched center will not only address a re-emergence of those tensions, but it will also find points of harmony between the communities to create and inspire productive dialogue and programming.

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Selected Local Organizations:

• Asian Council: The mission of the Eugene/Springfield Asian Council is to create opportunities which foster friendship and harmonious relations among all people by presenting events and activities that will stimulate a better understanding of Asian and Asian-American cultures.

• Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon APANO is a statewide, grassroots organization, uniting Asians and Pacific Islanders to achieve social justice. They use their collective strengths to advance equity through empowering, organizing and advocating with their communities.

• Black Cultural Initiative Cultivates a thriving and interconnected Black community in Lane County. Implementing a range of programs that promote education, social engagement, cultural enrichment, health equity, and economic empowerment. Dedicated to creating a more equitable society where everyone can thrive.

• Community Alliance of Lane County (CALC) works to educate and organize for peace, human dignity, and social, racial and economic justice.

• Chinese-American Benevolent Association is a non-profit promoting cultural understanding and hosting programs and activities for the Chinese community in Eugene. Upcoming events are listed on their website.

• Comunidad Y Herencia Cultural serves the Latinx community by providing cultural, artistic, and educational programming that considers both heritage and lived experiences.

• Eugene Human Rights Commission focuses on its City Council-approved work plan, community matters, and working within City government. currently focused on building Commission capacity; enhancing the Commission relationship and role within the City government; responding to human rights concerns and trends; and working toward a human rights framework in Eugene

• H.O.N.E.Y., Honoring Our New Ethnic Youth offers a range of programs and services designed to support multi-ethnic, Black/African-American, African Diaspora, Indigenous, and people of color from all backgrounds, genders, and abilities. Committed to creating an inclusive environment that extends to low-income allies, as they firmly believe poverty knows no color. Programs serve youth, adults, and families, with a focus on fostering connection, building relationships, and cultivating positive community experiences. Each initiative is crafted to uplift, empower, and support individuals across all stages of life.

• Plaza de Nuestra Comunidad. Envisioning an equitable and thriving intercultural community. Centro Latino Americano, Downtown Languages, and Huerto de la Familia have joined together to create a brand-new nonprofit serving Latino and immigrant families in Lane County. The three organizations have a long history of collaborating together, and our work together has been united, impactful, and powerful. We are excited to transform our individual organizations into a community-building hub providing a wide variety of services and programs.

• Japanese American-Association (JAA) of Lane County works to bring together the Japanese American community in Lane County. They host traditional Japanese events and potlucks; support Asian festivals; and provide community building events such as cooking classes and hikes.

• Lane Community College Diversity Resources

• NAACP Support and political action for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. The oldest and still wonderfully effective.

• Oregon Indian Education Association creates collaborations with school districts, universities, and state officials to endorse an indigenous knowledge base that enhances, endorses and validates the higher learning of native students.

• Springfield Alliance for Equality and Respect (SAfER) is a social justice group supporting human rights in Springfield. Programs include Shelter Rights, Progressive Responses: Action for Peaceful Tomorrows, and Back to Back: Allies for Human Dignity. Contact SAfER if you need assistant regarding human right violations.

• Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) mobilizes white people for racial justice. Through campaigns, education, and action opportunities, we move people to reject racism and complicity–and to join movements for change.

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Updated June 2025