The Optimistic Anthropologist Vol. 14

Being With My Tribe, Breaking Bread in 2019 & 20+ New Opportunities!

November 30, 2018

November 2018, Volume 14View this email in your browser

Dear ,

I’ve been thinking and talking a lot about tribes lately – groups of people who are united by a culture, values, and or mindsets. And noticing how this concept of understanding, activating and nurturing the power of the tribe is popping up in varying ways - as relates to the 

) to the

.

It also came up for me at the

in Detroit.  In addition to getting to reconnect with great friends and former colleagues, and learn alongside others committed to racial justice, I attended a session entitled

This session shared powerful content – 

developed it into a rich primer, “

.” And the content was reinforced and reflected in the design of the session, selection of panelists, and attendees which was particularly meaningful just two weeks after the Tree of Life Shooting in Pittsburgh.  There were four panelists, three of whom self-identified as Jews of Color (one of whom also identified as transgender), and the sole white panelist was a Jewish woman.  They brought different strengths and knowledge and experiences to the conversation – one pulled more on Scripture; another on history; another on justice, liberation, and healing; and another was the facilitator and community builder for everyone in the room.

And they

as to enable a room of ~175 people – who were a mix of white Jews, Jews of Color, and People of Color --  better understand our shared and complex history, how we have consistently been pitted against each other to distract to diminish us both, as well as connect with one another in the room through short pair sharings.

In that room, I felt like I was with one of my tribes.  

Be well and do good,Alison

P.S. I

P.P.S. Where have you felt like you were with one of your tribes?  How did you know?

tweet using the #withmytribe

We've realized that even among smart, kind, thoughtful people who are committed to justice and liberation, that the story that most Americans are exposed to about who Jews are and our traditions, culture, beliefs, history and more is very narrow and often deeply problematic. We want to help change it in the best way we know how -- by bringing together diverse people who are joyful and curious, knowledge, and homemade food! 

touching on two women spies who helped win the Civil War, the Midterm Elections in pictures, rebuilding Puerto Rico's power grid, why human beings need the humanities. 

OA collaborator 

 is hosting a free webinar on Dec. 4 to share a framework and lessons about creating effective partnerships relating to the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.

Job, Consulting, and Fellowship Opportunities

We love connecting people to each other and to great opportunities. This month the Optimistic Anthropology network is recruiting for more than 20 job, consulting, and fully funded Fellowship opportunities (there are 7 of those - our most to date). 

Our Wishes For You This Month

One of our core beliefs at Optimistic Anthropology is that serious work on complex problems can and should be approached with joy and curiosity. That's why occasionally on Mondays,

in hopes that it will keep you (and us) inspired and motivated.

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