The high-level summary of the Tiyuv culturally responsive evaluation method for full, formal evaluations is as follows: 1) Preparing for the Evaluation 2) Engaging Stakeholders 3) Identifying the Purpose of the Evaluation 4) Framing the Questions 5) Designing the Evaluation 6) Selecting and Adapting our Evaluation Tools 7) Gathering Data (mixed method) 8) Data Analysis (quantitative/qualitative) 9) Dissemination of Results.
The work of Tiyuv puts attention on positionality, including the positionality of researchers and evaluators, and the method is designed to interrupt the effects of bias on the evaluation process while also centering those most affected by the issues explored in the evaluation. Using a culturally-responsive, racial and ethnic equity lens to elucidate not only the attitudes and behaviors of individuals, but also the broader systemic policies, and practices that contribute to racial equity and justice, our approach seeks to help organizational leaders and decision-makers to recognize and understand the interconnectedness of systems that historically advantage some over others.
The Tiyuv approach avoids disembodying the human experience by using coded language when discussing race and racism. This type of reduction of the experiences of people from minority groups to an issue–a problem, predicament, obstruction, or complication–is a phenomenon familiar to Jews because we have been targeted by this phenomenon. We must strive to not replicate these reductions in our contemporary thinking and writing about the experiences of People of Color and Jews of Color in the Jewish community. Such pronouncements can create harm, and can have an outsized impact when coming from our flagship institutions and standard-bearing authorities.
The Jewish racial justice field is growing, and there is a rapidly developing ecosystem of programs and initiatives focused on Jewish community racial justice work and Jews of Color (JOC’s). The importance of better understanding the extent to which Jewish community spaces fully welcome and include Jews of all backgrounds can not be overstated. Appropriately and thoughtfully navigating contemporary and historical issues related to American racism and its effects on the Jewish community is key to living our Jewish values. In particular, the values of Al taamod al dam reecha (do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor), B’tzelem Elokim (all humans are created in G-d’s image), and V’ahavtem et hager ki gerim hayitem be’eretz mitzrayim” (love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt) cannot be realized in a context of unchecked racially exclusionary beliefs, policies, and practices.