From Research to Relationship:
Data-Informed Community Building & Action

A participatory project designed to move beyond observation and into collective action

Shades of Belonging is launching our newest phase: From Research to Relationship. This initiative addresses the isolation often felt at the intersection of adoption and Jewish identity. We are shifting the focus from simply identifying needs to meeting them through direct, data-informed intentional relationship-building and community creation.

Why This Project is Different: Centering Relationships and Action

Most research projects end once the report is written. This project is different because the research is only the beginning. We have designed a model that is:

​​

• Part Needs Assessment: We start by listening. We work directly with the community to identify the specific support structures that are currently missing in Jewish life.

• Part Community Circle: We don’t just gather information; we gather people. This project centers on a facilitated "Circle" where belonging is built in real-time through shared experience and mutual respect.

• Part Participatory Action: This is not a top-down approach. Participants are not just subjects of a study; they are the architects of the project. We believe that those within the community are the best equipped to build the resources they want to see.

What to Expect: A Space for Connection and Growth

If you choose to join us in this work, here is how the process unfolds:

​

1. Focus Groups: We begin with small, intentional focus groups. These sessions are designed to uncover the specific programming and support systems that Jewish adoptees of color want to lead and join. Your voice helps us set the foundation for everything that follows.

2. Community Circle: Following the assessment, we launch a facilitated Community Circle. This is a space where participants build a shared sense of belonging while collaborating on a project, product, or program that serves the broader community.

3. Lasting Impact: This initiative serves a dual purpose. First, it allows us to test if the "Community Circle" model effectively builds a sense of belonging for Jewish adoptees of color. Second, it results in a tangible resource—created by adoptees, for adoptees—that will help Jewish organizations and communities become more inclusive and affirming for years to come.