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Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) Partners
We are three diverse multicultural Jewish women of color who come to this work with different lived experiences and stories, joining our voices to reflect the past, present and future diversity of the Jewish people . . who care about racial justice, who care about our beloved Jewish community coming together to make a collective impact -- that is the heart of who we are.
Mission
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Our purpose is to work on transforming the hearts and minds of those seeking change through our Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) curriculum.
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Our work is grounded in Jewish values, and when entering Jewish sacred spaces with one another, we will build competency and understanding of white privilege.
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Through relationship building, the impact of our trainings will result in structural reform of policies and practices.
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We honor Jews of Color’s voices and strive for empathetic action by appealing to the deepest part of our shared humanity.
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We focus our efforts within the Jewish sphere, working with executives and professionals of Jewish institutions, congregations, educational settings and camps (as well as funders) in small and large groups and offering individual coaching support.
Jill Housen
Jill (she/her) was raised in Claremont, CA and received her B.A. from California State University, Long Beach. Early on, she studied French, Spanish, and molecular biology; she graduated in Fashion & Merchandising. She is currently a buyer for a contemporary women's boutique and a loving caregiver for her mother.
Most recently, she is focusing on Racial Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (REDI) work, serving as a REDI consultant for local and national Jewish communities.
Jill completed the 2019-2020 URJ’s (DEI) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion JewV’Nation Fellowship (she is now an alumni) and the Don't Kvetch Community Organizing training through Bend the Arc.
She is passionate about Judaism, sustainable fashion solutions, food, and reggae music, and she believes that coffee is the elixir of life. In her free time, Jill can be found working in her garden, spending time at the gym, and experimenting in the kitchen with vegetarian dishes.
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Denise Dautoff
Denise (she/her) is a Latinx Native American Jew of Color raised with Mexican and indigenous traditions. Denise’s great-grandparents on her grandfathers’ side lived in San Bernardino, California in the 1920’s where they owned a home and raised their children. On her great grandmother’s side, the family was making a decent living working on the railroad tracks of San Diego, California. In the 1930s, during the Great Depression, the U.S. deported 1.8 million people of Mexican descent---most of them American born, who were rounded up in informal raids and deported in an effort to reserve jobs for white people. This included Denise’s great-grandparents on both sides. They lost everything they owned.
Denise’s grandparents on both sides, American born citizens, returned to the U.S. in 1944. Both Denise’s own parents were born in California. Denise was born and raised in a migrant farm working town, Watsonville, California and is currently living in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and two daughters ages 18 and 20.
Denise holds a B.S. in business from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California. Denise completed the 2019-2020 URJ’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) JewV’Nation Fellowship (she is now an alumni) as well as the Don't Kvetch Community Organizing training through Bend the Arc.
Denise has worked as a coordinator for the International Rescue Committee in Oakland, California in the Health, Education, and Wellness Department providing newly arrived refugees with support, guidance and assistance in applying for state benefits (e.g. SNAP, medical insurance, etc.).
In addition, Denise has spent the past 20 years heavily focused on her daughters’ care and their education at their Jewish Day school (K-8) and public high school, volunteering on school boards, fundraising activities etc. for many years. Both daughters are now attending college. Denise is focusing her passion on her Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) work to amplify the voices of Jews of Color as well as support in the creation of pathways to aid in Jews of Color’s growth.
Tamar Ghidalia
Tamar (she/her) is a Jew of Color of Sephardic (Spanish) heritage who was born in Tunisia, fled with her family to France, and subsequently immigrated to Israel and then to the U.S. She has a B.A. in Education and Hebrew Literature from Paris Sorbonne University and a B.A. in Music from the Conservatoire de Paris.
Tamar is an educator and professional musician with 30+ years of experience in leadership, mentoring, program building, curriculum development and program management. Most recently, she worked for six years as the Executive Director of Urban Arts Academy, a South Minneapolis non-profit serving diverse students and families through art-infused education.
In 2018, she was honored by her congregation Shir Tikvah, Minneapolis, with the Radical Hospitality Award for her work with the Racial Justice Task Force. In 2005, she received the Paul Wellstone Call to Action Award for her work in racial justice.
Tamar completed the 19-2020 URJ’s (DEI) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion JewV’Nation Fellowship (she is now an alumni).
Tamar is now an independent consultant whose passions include: promoting racial diversity, equity and inclusion; teaching Jewish texts and culture; using art-infused education to support the healthy development of diverse children and youth; and developing partnerships between organizations to collaborate for success.