Jewish Press of Pinellas County

Michele Norris: ‘If ever there was a time to act, it is now’


Michele Norris

Michele Norris

Michele Norris, a real estate professional who says her conversion to Judaism “is a love story,” believes the rise of anti-Semitism is a cause for great concern among Jews, but adds, “With the awareness of increased racial injustice, many in our community have lifted up their voices to advocate for racial justice.”

Norris, who lives in Apollo Beach, has been involved in Hadassah for several years and currently serves as president of the organization’s Tampa Ameet Chapter.

As a Black woman, she feels progress is being made to bridge racial divides, but there is more work to do.

“Real change only happens by building relationships and working together for a common cause,” she says. “Many Jewish organizations and others reaffirmed their commitment to racial justice while joining people worldwide in condemning the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor by issuing policy statements, protesting, giving to charity, and implementing community projects.”

In the case of Hadassah, she says the organization expanded its support for policies to eliminate discrimination, including “vigorous enforcement of existing civil rights and hate crime laws; efforts to strengthen voting rights and fight against voter suppression as well as approval of new measures to address police brutality, criminal justice reform, and other systemic barriers to equality.”

Norris, a self-proclaimed “Jersey girl” attended Douglass College in New Jersey and majored in psychology with a minor in art. She is married to Alvin Norris and has five children. She has a background in entrepreneurial ventures. Among her favorite activities are gourmet cooking, the theater, travel, helping others achieve their goals and Judaism.

She grew up in a religious Baptist home but as an adult did not attend church often. She and her husband Alvin, who is a retired U.S marshal, lived in Maryland until 2000, when they moved here to help Alvin’s recently widowed brother.

At a home appraisal, a man asked Michele if she had explored her Hebrew roots and that was the first time she thought of looking into the Jewish faith. Later she attended a Hebrew class with a friend and toured the synagogue at Congregation Rodeph Sholom in Tampa. “I went into the sanctuary and felt the presence of God and just cried. When I left I cried in the parking lot. The next day we were on the phone with Rabbi Hearshen and began classes [to convert]” she said.

During the conversion process Alvin was diagnosed with cancer and had an operation in Arizona that required a 30-day recovery there, but Norris says he steadfastly maintained his resolve to complete the classes. She said the outpouring of love from the Jewish community at the time was overwhelming.

The couple converted in 2015. “When I converted, one of the first things I was taught is that Judaism is about taking action. When I learned that, I looked for opportunities to get involved, but Hadassah found me before I found it. I got involved and it has been an honor and privilege to save lives through Hadassah.”

One Jewish value dear to her, she said, is tikkun olam – repair the world. “We have many opportunities to fulfill the mission to make this world a better place. The repairing of our world must begin with a commitment for equality, peace, and responsibility for one another irrespective of race, color, or religion,” she said.

Asked if the belief by some in the Black Lives Matter movement that Israel is an apartheid state is a bridge between Blacks and Jews that can’t be bridged, Norris said: “I do not think the question is whether this is a legitimate issue between Blacks and Jews but an issue between the platform of BLM and their supporters in the Jewish community. The fight for racial justice is important to both groups and one that is very visible in society today.

“References to Israel being an apartheid state is of great concern and found to be anti-Semitic by most. Hopefully, this will be addressed in the future by the leaders of BLM and the Jewish community coming together in an open forum of education and dialogue. I believe this cannot happen while there is so much unrest all around us.”

Though Jewish involvement in the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s is well documented, some wonder if the Jewish commitment is as deep today.

“We are getting there.” Norris says. “During this historic moment in time, the world is crying out to be healed … healing from the Coronavirus, healing from racism, inequality and anti-Semitism, economic healing, healing of the American justice system and police brutality. We must show up, we must stand up and make a difference. Each person must search their heart to discover their role in the healing process. If there was ever a time to act it is now.”

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