Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At CSJO, a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization, all members, whatever their gender identity or expression, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, education, or ability, are valued and respected. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for membership, employment, and advancement. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.

We are committed to modeling diversity and inclusion for the entire Secular and Cultural Jewish Community, and to maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all.

To provide informed, authentic leadership for cultural equity, CSJO strives to:

  • See diversity, inclusion, and equity as connected to our mission and critical to ensure the well-being of our leadership, membership, and communities.

  • Acknowledge and dismantle any inequities within our policies, systems, programs, and services, and continually update and report organization progress.

  • Explore potential underlying, unquestioned assumptions that interfere with inclusiveness.

  • Advocate for and support board-level thinking about how systemic inequities impact our organization’s work, and how best to address that in a way that is consistent with our mission.

  • Help to challenge assumptions about what it takes to be a strong leader at our organization, and who is well-positioned to provide leadership.

  • Practice and encourage transparent communication in all interactions.

  • Commit time and resources to expand more diverse leadership within our board, leadership, committee, and advisory bodies.

  • Lead with respect and tolerance. We expect all members to embrace this notion and to express it in interactions and through everyday practices.

CSJO abides by the following action items to help promote diversity and inclusion in our organization by:

  • Pursuing cultural competency throughout our organization by creating substantive learning opportunities and formal, transparent policies.

  • Improving our cultural leadership pipeline by creating and supporting programs and policies that foster leadership that reflects the diversity of the Jewish community.

  • Pooling resources and expanding offerings for underrepresented constituents by connecting with other Secular/Secular Jewish organizations committed to diversity and inclusion efforts.

  • Developing and presenting sessions on diversity, inclusion, and equity to provide information and resources internally, to members, and communities.

  • Developing a system for being more intentional and conscious of bias in our work and actions.

  • Advocating for public and private-sector policy that promotes diversity, inclusion, and equity

  • Challenging systems and policies that create inequity, oppression, and disparity.