‘True Colors’ Experience at Wilshire Boulevard Temple for Black History Month

On February 27, 140 representatives from more than 40 Jewish organizations were on hand as The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles, The Braid and Wilshire Boulevard Temple teamed up for a community-wide Black History Month event. “Since biblical times, Jews of Color have always been part of our community, and we are proud to celebrate the diversity of our people in this meaningful way,” Rabbi Susan Nanus, Director of Adult Programs at WBT and one of seven rabbis at the synagogue, told the Journal.

Thanks to a Reimagine Grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles, the event included a performance of The Braid’s hit show, “True Colors.” Written by Jews of Color and performed by professional actors, “True Colors” is filled with humorous, revealing and inspiring stories that explore identity, community and what it means to be a Jew in modern times.

“I was astonished by how many different Jewish organizations turned out tonight to learn from the experiences of me and my fellow Jews of Color,” David Chiu, who contributed a story to “True Colors,” told the Journal. Chiu is marketing and communications Manager for The Braid and one of the organizers of this event. “For so much of my life, I wondered if the Jewish world noticed or cared about us,” Chiu said. “To see them come out in force sends a clear message that they do. It leaves me with so much hope for the future.” 

To kick off the event, Nanus offered opening remarks, as did The Braid founder and artistic director Ronda Spinak and Julie Bram, the night’s co-producer. “Real change is the result of empathy, understanding and doing things just a bit differently, over and over and over,” Spinak said. “No matter where you or your organization is in the process, we hope this offering will add meaningfully to the conversation.”

The show was then performed by actors including Nadège August, Marcos Cohen, Kimberly Green, Heidi Mendez Harrison, and Joshua Silverstein. Cohen, Green and Silverstein are Jews of Color. Cohen was born in Uruguay. Green is Puerto Rican and Korean and converted to Judaism. Silverstein is Black and Jewish. “True Colors isn’t simply about race,” Silverstein said. “‘Race is a complex construct that has had a weighted impact on humans everywhere. However, ‘True Colors’ is a show about humanity. It opens the doors to finally being able to have a conversation about that complex construct.”

After the performance, Silverstein facilitated a focused conversation on diversity, equity and inclusion. He asked the audience: “Raise your hand if you can tell me if you saw yourself in any of these stories.” “What story and what was your experience?” “If you identify as Jewish, when thinking about your Jewishness, did you see your Jewishness reflected in these stories?” 

The event wrapped with a video in which Jews of Color discussed how asking too many probing or invasive questions about their ethnic background, before you get to know them as whole people, can feel unwelcoming. This is the first of a five-video series, where The Braid interviewed 18 Jews of Color in the summer of 2022. Each individual shared their personal experiences, struggles and hopes to create more inclusive communities. 

“When it comes right down to it, stories are how we make sense of the world,” attendee Idelle Davidson, a member of the Board of Trustees of Temple Isaiah, told the Journal. “They reveal who we are as individuals but also connect us in ways that show we’re all so alike after all. We may not look the same but we all relate to joy and sorrow and longing. That was the simple, but powerful, message from Jews of Color.”

For more information, on where to see “True Colors” around LA, visit The Braid’s website at The-Braid.org.