The UPLift with Tzedek: Real Talk for Real Change
Welcome to The UPlift - Real Talk for Real Change! We're here to build authentic community relationships and help fuel social transformation in Asheville, NC, believing collective liberation is not only possible but probable as we share, listen, and learn together.
The Tzedek Social Justice Fund is a social justice philanthropy fund that redistributes money, resources, and power to support systems change and community healing in Asheville, North Carolina. Through adaptive, trust-based philanthropy, we resist oppressive systems and work to transform our collective home into a place where everyone flourishes. We fund mission-aligned work centering LGBTQ Justice, Racial Justice, and/or Dismantling Antisemitism; this means we give money to organizations and individuals invested in creating a more fair, equitable, and flourishing society.
We dream of a thriving Asheville where everyone's needs are abundantly met - where everyone is safe, respected, and celebrated. We believe that a community rooted in joy and love is possible - that is, if we can connect and build our shared vision on the value that liberation is for all.
Sound good to you? We hope so!
Let's be real. Let's go deep. Let's get liberated.
The UPLift with Tzedek: Real Talk for Real Change
From Division to Dialogue: Insights from the Jewish Leadership Collaborative of WNC
The silence that descends after community trauma can be deafening. In the aftermath of October 7th, Jewish leaders across Western North Carolina were met with exactly that: grief, fear, and deep uncertainty about how—or even whether—to speak to one another again.
In this episode, we sit down with Judy Leavitt, Frank Goldsmith, and Sam Kaplan of the Jewish Leadership Collaborative of WNC, a volunteer-led coalition of over a dozen organizations working across difference to strengthen community ties. With support from Resetting the Table, they launched a series of brave, small-group conversations designed to move their community from division to dialogue—and to answer the question: How can we simply learn to talk to each other again?
About Frank: Frank Goldsmith is a longtime Jewish community leader and retired civil rights attorney. A former president of the ACLU of North Carolina, he co-chaired the NC Commission of Inquiry on Torture and served on the board of Asheville’s Racial Justice Coalition. At Congregation Beth Israel, he has served as president, chaired the Social Action Committee, and regularly leads services. Frank currently serves on the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Asheville and the WNC Jewish Security Task Force, and holds leadership roles with Carolina Jews for Justice.
About Judy: Judy Leavitt is a retired health policy advocate, educator, and justice activist. She authored Policy and Politics in Nursing and Health Care and has written extensively on social policy. A member of Congregation Beth HaTephila, Judy chaired the Social Justice Committee for 10 years. In 2013, she co-founded Carolina Jews for Justice/West and subsequently led its steering committee, serving on the statewide board for seven years.
About Sam: Dr. Sam Kaplan is a Professor of Mathematics and Director of the Center for Jewish Studies at UNC Asheville. Sam is celebrated for his engaging and inclusive instruction, including the development and teaching of courses on Women in Judaism and Jewish humor, reflecting his commitment to cultural insight and equity in education. Sam is a dedicated member of the Jewish Leadership Collaborative and UNCA's Marvelous Math Club, advocating for dialogue, connection, and intergenerational learning across WNC.
Whether you’re part of a nonprofit, activist network, or faith-based community, this episode offers a living example of transformative dialogue in action.
Press play to plug into the collective liberation playbook!
We'll see you same time, same place next month. Until then, peace.
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