At UCLA, two student leaders are creating new opportunities for Jews of Color (JoC). Funded by a grant from the Jews of Color Initiative as part of the “Supporting New and Emerging Initiatives in Los Angeles” RFP, Aiden Moseley and Jonathan Cohn co-founded the Jews of Color program through Hillel at UCLA—an initiative dedicated to fostering community and amplifying JoC voices on campus.
The idea for the program was born out of a conversation between Moseley and Cohn in a Public Affairs class. “After October 7th, my friend Jonathan was speaking up about Jewish identity,” Moseley recalls. “After the class…we talked about how there’s a lack of space for Jews of Color.” With encouragement from UCLA’s Hillel leadership, they launched the program to address that gap.
“Just realizing how many [JoC] there are [has] opened up my eyes a lot to see that I’m not alone on this campus,” Moseley reflects.
A pivotal moment for the emerging JoC program came on February 27th with the hosting of “Identity and Belonging: A Jews of Color Panel.” The event brought together four speakers: David Chiu and Vanessa Bloom from the LUNAR Collective, Arya Marvazy, JoCI’s Senior Director of Programs, and Elisheva Rishon, a community member involved in JoCI’s Los Angeles Professional Network. The panelists shared their Jewish communal leadership journeys and insights on how individuals and institutions can better amplify and empower Jews of Color.
For Cohn, hearing these stories was a powerful reminder of why the program matters. “The most impactful part of the panel discussion was hearing each speaker share their personal journey of becoming involved in the Jewish community,” he reflects. “Their stories were personal and varied, shaping their perspectives and enriching our discussion on Jewish identity.”
Arya Marvazy, who leads JoCI’s Los Angeles JoC Professional Network, emphasized the broader significance of initiatives like these. “Being part of the panel at UCLA was a meaningful opportunity to engage with students and reflect on the unique experiences of Jews of Color on college campuses, especially in this time,” Marvazy says. “Programs like these not only foster a sense of belonging on campus, but also create pathways for continued connection to Jewish life beyond graduation. It’s affirming to know that as JoC students transition into their professional lives, they can find community and support through initiatives like JoCI’s regional Professional Networks.”
Both Moseley and Cohn hope the program will become a permanent fixture at UCLA. “I really hope that this club can grow into something that will allow Jews of Color to come out and be at Hillel and have a community where they can see each other,” Moseley says.
Student-led initiatives like this are integral in increasing visibility, fostering community, and empowering young adults as they build substantive ties to their own Jewish identities. These efforts highlight the importance of educational institutions supporting their Jewish students and building programs that reflect the multiracial reality of contemporary Jewish life. As the population of Jews of Color continues to increase, particularly among younger generations who are more diverse, it is crucial to invest in spaces that support their growth, helping them build leadership skills and confidence as they step into adulthood and shape the future of our community.