Israel Harris (he/him) grew up in Bellevue, WA as a member of the Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation. He graduated New York University with a BFA in Dance, and a double minor in Psychology and Hebrew and Judaic Studies. He completed the Jewish Learning Fellowship at the NYU Bronfman Center, and was selected for the Second Avenue Dance Company’s “Investigate the WE” social advocacy concert, establishing a social outreach program to promote greater knowledge and safety for the New York Jewish community. He continues to work at the intersection of art and activism, and participated in the WADEintoACTIVISM 16-Day virtual festival as part of the UNiTe to End Violence against Women campaign organized by the UN. Israel furthered his social advocacy work by being among the first team members at the July Third Foundation, a nonprofit organization working for Reparations for Black Americans.
Israel is proud to be in the first cohort of the Jews of Color Initiative at the RAC. His legislative portfolio includes racial justice, reparations, voting and civil rights, criminal justice reform, the death penalty, campaign finance reform, civil liberties, and judicial nominations.