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We have an announcement to make…
Before we dive into how best to include Jewish colleagues in your National Inclusion Week activities, we need to let you know about an important change to National Inclusion Week going forward. We want everyone to feel that they can take an active role in National Inclusion Week.
Ever since we founded National Inclusion Week in 2013 it typically starts on the last Monday of September, but this means that some years it clashes with different holidays and religious observances (such as Yom Kippur and Sukkot this year). In the coming years we are committing to actively avoiding these as much as possible. National Inclusion Week will always be around the end of September, but we will take a view each year as to the exact dates. We’re so proud of the way National Inclusion Week has grown and so it only makes sense that we adapt to ensure as many people as possible can take part.
Involving your Jewish Colleagues
Because of the timing of National Inclusion Week this year it’s important that organisations take steps to involve Jewish colleagues as much as possible. If you haven’t already, have a read about Yom Kippur and Sukkot so you can understand the festivals a bit more when planning your activities. Below are some top tips for involving your Jewish colleagues during National Inclusion Week.
1. Time off
Yom Kippur is a big deal. In fact, it is the holiest day of the year according to the Jewish Calendar. We fast, we pray all day, we see friends and family and we reflect on what we can do better for the year ahead. Before anything else you can do for Jewish inclusion in the workplace, you should ensure that Jewish staff are given time off for Yom Kippur. Sukkot is also a major holiday and is counted as part of the ‘High Holiday Season’. Whilst observance of Sukkot varies hugely amongst communities, we’d recommend you grant time off work for the start of festivities on the Friday of National Inclusion Week.
2. Yom Kippur Break-Fast
Yom Kippur involves 25 hours of fasting for many Jews. Even some of the most secular Jews will still observe elements of the Yom Kippur fast. When the fast ends on Monday evening, Jews around the world will come together and enjoy a break-fast meal. The Tuesday morning of National Inclusion Week is a wonderful opportunity for you to host a break-fast meal or have some break-fast snacks available.
Bear in mind that levels of observance with fasting and Kosher law may vary so it’s always best to assume that your Jewish staff will keep Kosher. Many large supermarkets have Kosher sections and online Kosher stores deliver to all parts of the world. To be as inclusive as possible, make sure your snacks are meat-free (dairy products or labelled ‘Parve’), leave them in their original packaging and have the Kosher symbol printed on them. You can find out more about Kosher food laws here.
3. Space to share
Jews are such a tiny minority in the world, in fact we only make up 0.2% of the global population. Yet we have been around for nearly 4000 years with a rich culture that very few people understand. Due to various expulsions from Ancient Israel and the Middle East, European pogroms and attempts to wipe us out we have been scattered across the world and we have survived. With this survival came adaptations to our religious practices, a shared language, diverse food and music customs and much more.
Part of being an inclusive organisation means creating a space where everyone can be themselves at work, a space to share what really matters to an individual. I love talking about my culture because it is a way of not only keeping those traditions alive but to also ensure my voice is being heard and what matters to me is considered by the people I work with. This National Inclusion Week, work on creating spaces where all staff can share part of their identity if they feel comfortable doing so. This could be through internal newsletter and web pages, in physical meetings or in online spaces.
“Inclusive Employers not only has some great resources on Jewish lives but we also offer training to support organisations in becoming more Jewish-inclusive.”
Members can view our guide: Tackling contemporary antisemitism
4. Education
Building on my previous point, a lot of people simply do not understand Jewish culture and Judaism nor the racism that Jews experience daily. Inclusive Employers not only has some great resources on Jewish lives but we also offer training to support organisations in becoming more Jewish-inclusive. Our antisemitism training has been really successful with multiple organisations across the UK hosting us for sessions. I’m also really proud of our Jewish Culture and Judaism training too which offers delegates the opportunity to better understand Jewish identity and ask all those questions they’ve wanted to ask! National Inclusion Week is such a wonderful opportunity to educate your teams, so please do get in touch with us to see if we can help.
5. Don’t forget Sukkot!
Whilst Yom Kippur may start the week, one of my favourite festivals is Sukkot which you can read all about here. Sukkot starts on the Friday of National Inclusion Week so why not include information in your internal communications all about the festival? It’s traditional to eat fruits for this festival so why not get some fruit platters and dried fruit from Kosher suppliers? Sukkot takes place from sundown on Friday 29th September to sundown on Saturday 7th October for most Jewish communities outside of Israel. The festival ends at sundown on Friday 6th October for some Liberal Jewish communities and for Jews living in Israel. Observances vary, but some Jews may need to eat all their meals in their ‘Sukkah’ at home or a communal Sukkah nearby so may need longer lunch breaks.
6. Anti-Racism work
I’ve tried to focus this blog on celebrating Jewish culture but unfortunately we are living at a time when antisemitism is at a record high worldwide. It would be thoughtless of me to not ensure that anti-Jewish racism (antisemitism) is included within the conversation during National Inclusion Week. We need allies right now. I experience antisemitism regularly, my Israeli friends were harassed in the UK just a few weeks ago and many of us are scared for our future. As well as celebrating Jewish culture during National Inclusion Week you can also use this as an opportunity to tackle anti-Jewish racism. Open up a space within your anti-racism work to understand biases that many people may hold against Jews (both unconscious and conscious) and commit to tackling them.
Finally…
National Inclusion Week is an incredible opportunity to shine a lens on inclusion and to start the conversation on Jewish inclusion more widely. We are a hugely diverse group in society so keep an intersectional approach in mind when it comes to Jewish inclusion during National Inclusion Week and beyond. I see it as such a huge privilege to be both Jewish and Queer and nothing makes me prouder than seeing organisations embrace, celebrate, and support me for all that I am. This National Inclusion Week make sure your Jewish colleagues feel the same and celebrate them for all they are and all they bring to our diverse workplaces.
Grow your team
When you become an Inclusive Employers’ Member you grow your I&D team.
Your account manager works with you to understand your goals, your challenges and achievable next steps.
Do you need more support for your inclusive culture to thrive?
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