By Barrett Holman Leak in San Diego
While the news cycles emanating from the current Trump Administration in Washington often feel like a relentless storm of chaos and division—where rhetoric frequently seeds despair and frustration—a different story is being written on the ground. Far from the halls of federal power, among the American people, a movement of radical hospitality and quiet resilience is taking hold.
In Southern California, six Jewish women are proving that the best of America isn’t found in a headline, but at a dinner table.
Los Angeles: The Vision of Challah and Soul
In Los Angeles, Shonda Isom Walkovitz and Judi Leib are turning the simple act of breaking bread into a profound tool for justice. Through their organization, Challah and Soul, they are rebuilding the historic alliance between African American and Jewish communities, one meal at a time.
I am looking forward to being at their signature event, the Soulful Seder 2026, which is a testament to this bridge-building. On March 26, at the Skirball Cultural Center, they are expanding the narrative to include the Latino experience, creating a “living Haggadah” that honors the shared journeys of liberation and hope. By centering the voices of culinary historians and community leaders, Walkovitz and Leib are showing that when we share our stories and our food, hate loses its power.
To reserve a seat at the Challah and Soul dinner, click here.
San Diego: The Heart of the Playing Together Project
Down the coast here in San Diego, another formidable leadership team — Annick Salas, Miriam Reitman Ruchman, Helen Broady and I — is organizing the fourth year of Playing Together Project (PTP).
Our mission is clear and vital: centering African American Jews and other Jews of Color while fostering deep, authentic connections between the African American and American Jewish communities.
On April 24, PTP will host the Soulful Shabbat 2025 “Freedom Table” that will, with intention, bring together Jews of Color, African Americans, Asians, Latinos, and Jews. This isn’t simply a dinner; it is a sanctuary of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world).
We four women are creating a safe space where community members can move past the frustrations of the national political climate and find common ground in the shared values of peace, justice, and joy.
Basically, we are building bridges, one matzah ball at a time.
A Growing National Tapestry
While we women are leading the charge in California, we are not alone. Across the country, similar soulful efforts are rising to meet this moment:
- The Jews of Color Initiative: Ensuring multiracial Jewish identities are at the forefront of national Jewish life.
- The Black-Jewish Entertainment Alliance: Utilizing the arts to foster dialogue and joint advocacy for social justice.
- The Tikkun Olam Initiative Unity Dinners: A powerful partnership among Hillel International, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), and the Blue Square Alliance. This nationwide tour visits 14 cities—including major stops in Los Angeles and Atlanta—bringing together students from HBCUs and Hillels at predominantly white institutions
In a time of national frustration, these local leaders remind us that the heart of America still beats strongest at the local level. They are the architects of a future built on trust, showing us that even in the face of chaos, we can choose to “play together” and create a stronger society.
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Barrett Holman Leak, a Jew of Color, is a freelance writer based in San Diego.