2020
Serving as one of the leaders from the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, I was part of a conversation with Nick Cannon’s podcast and Youtube series, “Cannon’s Class”. We discussed racism, antisemitism, and explored the connections and intersections with the Black and Jewish communities. This conversation was published on Youtube on December 15, 2020.
Following several incidents of antisemitic comments by celebrities and politicians, I was quoted in Will Anti-Semitism Undermine the Black Lives Matter Movement? to question the focus of many White Jews toward the actions of Black celebrities in this moment. This article was published in Newsweek on July 24, 2020.
To educate their local community builders, I moderated a panel for Moishe House featuring four current and former Black Jewish leaders. #PassTheMic An Anti-Racism Conversation with Black Moishe House Community Builders was held live on June 16, 2020.
In a moment of growing support for the Black Lives Matter movement, I was featured as one of thirteen Black Jews to follow on social media. 13 Jews of Color to Follow on Social Media Right Now was published on Kveller on June 3, 2020.
After the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, I was asked to reflect, as a Black Jew, what I wanted the Jewish community to know in this moment. ‘Believe us’: Black Jews respond to the George Floyd protests, in their own words was published on JTA on May 31, 2020.
2019
In 2019, I took Passover as the opportunity to reflect back on my themes for the year: joy, meaning, interdependence. So How About Those New Year’s Resolutions was published on the Gather DC blog on April 10, 2019.
As a new resident of Washington DC, it was incredibly exciting to be interviewed by the Gather DC crew. Check out Meet Evan: Jewish Oklahoman of the Week for more info all about me! It was published on February 20, 2019.
Before I left NYC, I joined the crew of a new and awesome podcast, Are You New?, to talk about my experiences with and thinking on systemic racism. Check out Episode 2 – Systemic Racism: Think Globally, Act Locally. It premiered on January 10, 2019.
2018
During the 2018 US Midterm Elections, I was honored to work with the Religious Action Center and Hillel to engage thousands of students in getting registered and out to vote. I co-wrote Voting Is A Mitzvah to share hopes for the future of the Jewish community’s work in civic engagement. It was published in the Washington Jewish Week on November 14, 2018.
I sat down with the Diet Starts Monday squad in a hilarious interview about my life, commentary on advocacy work now, and much more. Check out DSM Episode 12: A Healthy Combination of Drake and Obama. It premiered on October 15, 2018.
With the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year, I wrote It’s Official: The URJ is Back On Campus to make clear the URJ’s commitment to college engagement through several different initiatives. It was originally published in URJ Inside Leadership on August 27, 2018.
In the aftermath of the tragic shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, my NFTY Board from 2012-2013 wrote We Were On NFTY Board During Sandy Hook. This Moment Is Different to reflect on our experience during another terrible instance of gun violence. It was originally published in URJ Inside Leadership on March 8, 2018.
Before speaking at a gathering of Reform synagogues in the Albany, New York area, I wrote Engaging Millennials Is A Priority, an op-ed about the importance of engaging Jewish millennials in Jewish life. It was originally published in the Albany Times-Union on March 16, 2018.
2017
After a presentation about millennials to a group of congregational lay leaders, I wrote 5 Important Facts To Know About Millennials, Jewish And Otherwise to share with the wider community about the millennial generation and start the conversation on engaging them in Jewish life. It was originally published in URJ Inside Leadership on August 3, 2017.
I was featured in Millennial ‘Gatherings’ Bridge Cultural Gaps, an article showing some of the innovative ways that Jewish millennials are impacting the Jewish community. It was originally published in the New York Jewish Week on July 6, 2017.
With so many opportunities in the world, why would a 23-year old still be working at summer camp? Why Summer Camp Is A Real Job is my reflection on the power of summer camp to change the lives of participants each and every summer. It was originally posted on the URJ Kutz Camp Blog on July 4, 2017.
Rabbi Rick Jacobs interviewed me to talk about Parashat Yirto for On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah, a podcast from the Union for Reform Judaism that explores each week’s Torah portion. We discussed the wisdom of Yitro, Moses’s father-in-law, and how we can value the contributions of the non-Jewish members of our Jewish community.
Getting the Full Story On Birthright is my exploration in on my newest roles in the Jewish community – Birthright Israel staff member. It was originally published in the New York Jewish Week on February 24, 2017.
2016
Adventure, Dream, & Discover the Holy was delivered during Shabbat morning services at Temple Beth-El in Charlotte, North Carolina during the installation of Rabbi Asher Knight on December 8, 2016. An adapted version is posted on ReformJudaism.org.
A Relationship in the Making was originally posted on the ARZA Blog on December 27, 2016 as part of the Taking Back the Z, a series of blogs demonstrating the inspiration and power of Reform Zionism.
I am incredibly honored to be part of the 2016 cohort of the New York Jewish Week’s “36 Under 36”, a group of passionate Jewish educators, activists, innovators, and community builders dedicated to make the Jewish community and world a better place.
In honor of the life and memory of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, I delivered my Snapshots of Freedom sermon on January 15, 2016 at Congregation Shir Tikvah in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ahead of that weekend, I talked with the Twin City JewFolk about social justice, inclusion, and diversity in the Jewish community.
2012-2015
I was featured in Black Lives in the Jewish Community: We Matter, Too, a powerful examination of Black Jews of Color and our experiences in the Jewish community, and especially in fighting racism through education and activism. It was originally published in Haaretz on December 30, 2015.
New Conversations for 2016 is the conclusion to my JMN Blog Series, where I reflect upon the inspiring and challenging moments of 2015 and provide some questions to make 2016 a more just and whole year for all people. It was published on December 10, 2015 by the Jewish Multiracial Network (JMN).
Owning My Identities was originally published on October 27, 2015 as part of Be’chol Lashon’s Jewish& series on MyJewishLearning.com.
Black Lives Matter (Including the Jewish Ones) is my exploration of the Black Lives Matter movement and the importance of all Jewish denominations, organizations, and communities supporting a movement that is standing up for members of the Jewish faith. It was published on August 19, 2015 by the Jewish Multiracial Network (JMN).
My Experience Walking Through Ferguson is my reflection after visiting Ferguson, Missouri one year after Darren Wilson killed Michael Brown. It was written on the night of August 6, 2015 and published on ReformJudaism.org.
Where Should the Money Go? is my exploration of my financial commitments over the past year and where I ask the question: would my money be better spent in Black organizations than Jewish organizations? It was published on June 23, 2015 by the Jewish Multiracial Network (JMN).
Just Because I’m Jewish Doesn’t Mean I’m Not Black is my reflection of growing up as a Jew of Color in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was originally posted on ReformJudaism.org on June 22, 2015.
In The Image of God is my discussion on the importance seeing each and every person “in the image of God” and how this value can positively impact our communities. It was published on March 22, 2015 by the Jewish Multiracial Network (JMN).
What’s Your Story? is my personal introductory blog for the Jewish Multiracial Network sharing some the most pivotal Jewish experiences in my life. It was published on February 11, 2015 by the Jewish Multiracial Network (JMN).
What’s Behind Israel’s Veil is my reflection after my third experience in Israel, where I spent 10 days exploring political and social issues throughout the Jewish state. It was originally published for New Voices on February 10, 2015.
I was part of a group of young adults featured in an article in the Daily Oklahoman on August 17, 2013 focused on interfaith dialogue and collaboration: Is Oklahoma City ready to…Go Beyond Coexistence? These young people say YES.
URJ & NFTY Presidents’ Joint D’var Torah – Presenting to more than 1,000 teens, staff, and youth professionals at NFTY Convention 2013 in Los Angeles, CA, URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs and NFTY President Evan Traylor shared inspiring words of Torah.
Seize Your Moment in Judaism is my commentary on Parasha Lech L’cha, written for the Union for Reform Judaism’s Ten Minutes of Torah on October 27, 2012.
A D’var Torah for NFTY’s Summer Home was my first speech as NFTY President and discusses the importance of relationships and building community. It was originally presented at the URJ Kutz Camp in Warwick, NY on June 25, 2012 and published on the NFTY Blog.
Evan Traylor 