Correlate JOC

We welcome all JOCs 18+ living in the United States to take our JOC Embodied Belonging Survey and learn about the program findings and toolkits in the final share out. The Los Angeles We AR JOC series programming will be for 18+ Jews of Color residing in Los Angeles, California.

Definitions: “Somatic” meaning of the body, and “relational” meaning of relationships and connection.

Somatic and relational tools refer to practices that deepen one's connection to self and other by attuning to the present moment; one’s own physical sensations, emotions, and thoughts; and what is alive in a connection. These tools help individuals understand the stories held within their bodies, fostering a sense of identity and belonging that can be carried into any space. For people in communities that have been historically marginalized, these tools offer a means to navigate their day-to-day lives and communities with a grounded sense of belonging, empowering them to express themselves authentically and navigate conflicts while building trust and positive relationships.

Our bodies tell the stories of our history, ancestry, and heritage, and hold the wisdom of our culture. They are what meet the world, including community perceptions and actions, and the impact is felt in our bodies. Connecting to and through the wisdom of our bodies is how we tap into a deeper sense of self, identity, and belonging that we carry wherever we go. Through somatic practices, Correlate community members can feel connected to and expanded in their physicality, allowing them the freedom to move, take up space, and connect with their breath, thus orienting themselves towards an embodied sense of belonging in any space they are in. Relational practices such as attuning to the present moment, letting go of assumptions, following curiosities, and being open-minded increase empathy and trust in relationships, facilitating deep, meaningful conversations with anyone and building bridges across divided communities. These practices provide a map for navigating conflicts, fostering empathy, and co-creating solutions that honor each person's unique experiences and perspectives. For example, practicing crucial conversations between disjointed communities through these somatic and relational practices will upskill Correlate community members in being able to navigate conflict in their communities, personal relationships, or professional settings. From an embodied place of belonging and identity, Correlate community members will learn how to authentically express the impact of systemic (e.g. institutionalized practices) or relational (e.g. micro aggressions) has on them, be heard, strengthen the relationship, and co-create pathways for progress.

These practices not only enhance individual well-being but also contribute to community building and cohesion. By shedding social scaffolding for interactions and instead fostering genuine connection and communication, these practices facilitate a deeper understanding of core values and promote inclusivity within greater community spaces. The outcome? An embodied sense of belonging, richer connections, showing up authentically, greater emotional awareness, and collective healing for communities who haven’t had the space or resources to build these skills.

Citing Bessel A. van der Kolk from book "The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma"

• "Being able to feel safe with other people is probably the single most important aspect of mental health; safe connections are fundamental to meaningful and satisfying lives."

• "In my practice I begin the process by helping my patients to first notice and then describe the feelings in their bodies—not emotions such as anger or anxiety or fear but the physical sensations beneath the emotions: pressure, heat, muscular tension, tingling, caving in, feeling hollow, and so on. I also work on identifying the sensations associated with relaxation or pleasure. I help them become aware of their breath, their gestures and movements.”

• "Individuals who lack emotional awareness are able, with practice, to connect their physical sensations to psychological events. Then they can slowly reconnect with themselves."

• What is Authentic Relating?

• The 5 Practices of Authentic Relating

Join our mailing list for updates, share our JOC Embodied Belonging Survey with JOCs and JOC/Jewish institutions nationally, and cohort application with Los Angeles JOCs, and follow us on Instagram @_correlate