Meet an innoFaither is our new series to introduce the inspiring optimists in the innoFaith world and what they’re working on and thinking about. We hope it helps you find and engage with each other across the network to advance faith-rooted social innovation and interfaith collaboration for social impact. Or just meet some cool people.
This feature was published in April 2020. Shiri has since moved on from Just Homes, but you can still find her at the LinkedIn link at the bottom of the feature.
Meet Shiri Yadlin, Director of Just Homes, an initiative of The District Church in Washington, DC. Shiri helps faith communities figure out how they can address housing insecurity, a growing space of faith-based innovation. Don’t miss her offer below to send you a copy of their new manual on the affordable housing crisis through a biblical justice lens.
What faith(s), if any, do you practice? Is your faith or practice bringing special inspiration or insight for you in this current pandemic moment?
I am Christian and I practice Christianity from a protestant tradition, but not tied to any denomination. I am also Israeli-American and come from a home where we practiced a largely secular form of Judaism. So while I am a Christian who practices Christianity as a faith, my Jewish heritage is very important to me. I still observe many Jewish holidays and traditions.
It has been fun and interesting to see how people in both religious communities have adapted to our virtual times. I'm beyond grateful for technology helping us celebrate major holidays virtually. For example, my parents, sisters, and I did a Passover Seder via Zoom this year, spanning four time zones. It brought us together in a way we wouldn't have been had we all stuck with our original Passover plans.
Where do you live?
I live in Washington, DC. I grew up mostly in southern California and have called the East Coast home for the past ten and a half years.
What's your favorite pastime?
I absolutely love baking. I've had a lot of fun challenging myself and expanding my repertoire over the past few years, including making my first wedding cake for a friend last fall! I find baking to be relaxing, rewarding, and one of my favorite forms of soul care. Plus you get a yummy treat at the end.
Apart from baking, I'm generally happiest when I'm outdoors. Running, hiking, lounging with a book, you name it. I'm also a massive soccer fan. My number one team is Liverpool, an English football club, and I am sorely missing watching them play every weekend.
What are you working on currently?
In late 2017, I joined the staff of my church, The District Church, to spearhead the launch of a new housing initiative we were starting to respond to the serious affordable housing needs around us. Two and a half years later, I am the Director of this new initiative, Just Homes. We work to mobilize and equip the faith community of DC to meet the housing needs of the city, working together to pursue the vision of a just city where everyone has a home. The actions that churches and other houses of worship can take to respond to the housing crisis are varied, based upon the resources each community has and the context they sit in, but we believe that every faith community can do something. And in fact, if we really want to eliminate housing insecurity and achieve this vision of a just city where everyone has a home, faith communities must be part of the solution. So, we help faith communities figure out how they can help!
Earlier this year, we published a manual for DC faith leaders. This book, Building a Just Home, explores the affordable housing crisis (in layman's terms), looks at housing through the lens of biblical justice, and explores solutions. If you're interested, I would be happy to send you a copy. Though it's specific to DC, there are likely lessons to be learned in other jurisdictions, so send me an email if you want one and I'll send it your way. Quarantine reading, anyone?
What question are you thinking about these days?
So many.
How can the church overcome and heal the internal fragmentation that runs so deep in our faith tradition?
How can faith communities come together to proactively participate in the work of biblical justice? What does my role in that look like: as an individual, as a member of a church community, as a resident of my neighborhood and city?
How can the church better equip its members to be agents of peace and justice in their immediate communities and the world?
How will this global pandemic shift our priorities and values as a society -- particularly western, privileged societies? Will it?
How can people find you?
Shiri is no longer with Just Homes, but you can find them here: