Dr. Harriette Wimms Named Jews of Color Engagement Fellow at The Associated

May 23, 2022 JMORE Staff

Dr. Harriette Wimms: “Baltimore has been my home for more than 30 years and I’ve seen lots of places where Baltimore hurts." (Provided photo)

Dr. Harriette Wimms was recently hired by The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore as its inaugural Jews of Color Engagement Fellow.

The fellowship is a pilot program funded through the San Francisco-based Jews of Color Initiative and the Baltimore-based Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.

A native of Southern California who grew up in St. Mary’s County and now lives in Mount Washington, Dr. Wimms will work closely with The Associated and its agencies to create a welcoming environment for all Jews, while simultaneously working with Jews of Color in creating programming and space tailored to their needs and interests.

“Baltimore has been my home for more than 30 years and I’ve seen lots of places where Baltimore hurts,” Dr. Wimms told Jmore in a 2021 profile. “As a healer, I’ve tried to figure out how I can help. All the work I do is my covenant with God and my thank-you for my son and for another day. … My vision and every project in the Jewish world has always been about love.”

The fellowship was created in response to conversations with Jews of Color throughout the local community, as well as The Associated’s 2020 Greater Baltimore Jewish Community Study.

Trained as a developmental, clinical, community and social psychologist, Dr. Wimms is founder and executive director of the Jews of Color Mishpacha Project and the driving force behind Hinenu JOC, the Baltimore JOC Community Havurah and the JOCMP’s Jews of Color National Shabbaton programs.

She is also an adjunct faculty member at the Academy of Jewish Religion in Yonkers, New York, and serves on boards of directors for numerous local and national Jewish organizations.

“Dr. Wimms’ experience and dedication to the nourishment of Jews of Color, locally and nationally, made her the ideal candidate for this position,” said Associated President Marc B. Terrill. “She is uniquely qualified to work with The Associated network in our endeavor to create safe and welcoming opportunities for all Jewish people. We are deeply grateful for the Jews of Color Initiative and The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation for sharing our vision and funding this pilot program.”

Said Ilana Kaufman, CEO of the Jews of Color Initiative: “Launching this JOC Engagement Fellowship with The Associated is our first time working with the Federation network. Learning about the Baltimore community, its diverse Jewish community and spirit of innovation, we are excited to see what is possible. Hiring Dr. Wimms, whose passion and dedication has already brought Jews of Color around the country together, is key to making this work successful on a communal level.”