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Jewish Faculty & Staff Employee Resource Group

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JFAST General Information & Highlights

Our Mission

To foster a supportive, connected, and inclusive community for Jewish faculty, staff, managers, and allies. We provide spaces for relationship-building, mutual support, professional networking, and cultural engagement, while advancing understanding of Jewish identity, experiences, and concerns across the university.

Our Values

  • Education and Understanding: We are committed to advancing understanding of Jewish history, culture, and contemporary issues across the university.
  • Respect for Jewish Identity and Diversity: We honor the breadth of Jewish identities and lived experiences and ensure that the institution is informed about the experiences, needs, and concerns of Jewish members of the Sac State community.
  • Equity and Advocacy: We are committed to fairness, safety, and institutional accountability when Jewish communities are impacted.
  • Collaboration: Work in partnership with campus leadership, colleagues, and community partners to advance equity and advocacy.

Our Activities and Actions

  • Build and sustain a welcoming community through networking and mutual support.
  • Host and support programs aligned with the Jewish calendar and create opportunities for cultural engagement that strengthen community ties.
  • Serve as a visible, trusted, and welcoming resource for Jewish-identifying students, when appropriate.
  • Amplify Jewish voices within the university and, when appropriate, in broader community conversations.
  • Advocate for equitable policies and practices that support Jewish faculty, staff, and students, helping ensure that concerns and perspectives are heard.

Event Highlights

  • March 30, 2026: Freedom Seder
    • Hosted by the Jewish Alumni Network and JFAST in solidarity with the Latine community at Sac State. This special event was the largest community gathering of the year and was a powerful, inclusive seder which bridged tradition and justice. The special event brought together the ancient story of Passover, such as it's themes of liberation and resilience, with the ongoing struggles faced by immigrant communities today. Together, attendees stood in solidarity in support of immigrant rights and freedoms, concluding the dinner with messages to their local congressmembers. This event showed the true meaning of care, support, and justice while highlighting the value of communities coming together harmoniously.
  • February 2, 2026: Tu B'Shvat in the Arboretum
    • Members of JFAST, the Jewish Life and Resource Center, Jewish Student Union, and Hillel at Davis & Sacramento assisted in a clean-up day at the Sac State Arboretum in recognition of the "Birthday of the Trees" holiday.
  • October 21, 2024: First Annual Sukkah Construction
    • In preparation for Sukkot, JFAST used it's resources to acquire a Sukkah large enough to accommodate dozens of people. It is stored at the Jewish Life and Resource center to be used for years to come. Each year for Sukkot, members of JFAST, the JLRC, JSU, Hillel at Davis & Sacramento, and other community members come together to build the Sukkah for the holiday and host events inside the structure as a way to celebrate and build community.