Rose Silverman

Ever since Rose moved to Chicago five years ago, she has been determined to stay informed about local events and move the needle forward in racial justice for Chicagoans.

Rose co-founded the White Racial Justice Working Group with the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs. As a currently active member, facilitator, and consultant, she helps Jewish Chicagoans dismantle white supremacy and antisemitism by building a deeper, more healing culture.

In addition to this project, Rose is an active member of JCUA Votes, and earned the "Most Doors Knocked on the Near North Side" award for canvassing in Chicago's 2023 municipal elections. She stays up to date about what's happening in Chicago by following the Block Club Chicago and City Cast Chicago podcasts for daily updates she can share within her network.

Rose prioritizes learning from Chicagoans in terms of what issues matter the most to them, and donates her time and money based on what she hears. Currently, she focuses on housing insecurity, immigration justice, and community safety--issues that also impact her day job at Avodah. 

AGE:
27

PRONOUNS:
she/her/hers

PRIMARY GIG:
Chicago Senior Program Director for Avodah

ON THE SIDE:
Facilitator / Trainer with the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA)

SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME:
I have made a playlist to mark time and the music I'm interested in every single month since 2014. It has become something of a journal to look back on. It's a really fun time capsule for me, as someone who loves both music and nostalgia.

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THE LAST 10 YEARS:
My proudest accomplishment is moving to Chicago just about 10 days after I graduated from college. Looking back, I really had no idea how much of an unknown I was entering, and I am proud of the bravery I can recognize in that choice, which has spurred so many lessons and opportunities to build community with the powerful people who live here.

A JEW WHO INSPIRES YOU:
I am inspired by Yehudah Webster, Program Director and Faculty at Inside Out Wisdom and Action Project (IOWA). As IOWA puts it, "Yehudah equips communities with the daily concrete spiritual tools of Mussar to subvert racism within ourselves and others through facilitating workshops, consulting with organizations, and building a community of anti-racist practice." I've gotten to learn from Yehudah just twice before (both times virtually) and am in awe of how he equips us with tools to turn both inward for reflection and outward into action.

YOUR BEST PIECE OF ADVICE:
"God is change." - Octavia Butler