Overview
The debate over Israel and Palestine has grown more intense. At the same time, rising antisemitism globally has understandably elevated fears inside the American Jewish community, making these conversations even more complicated.
Project Shema trains and supports the Jewish community to nurture compassion for Jews and disrupt the spread of anti-Jewish ideas which can emerge even in well-intentioned conversations about Israel and Palestine. We want to ensure that important conversations around Palestinian justice do not close space for empathy with the Jewish people. Even if unintentional, rhetoric that may demonize or dehumanize Jews in Israel or the Disaspora has the potentional to erode individual and/or collective Jewish safety. We believe it's possible and necessary to hold space for the past and present trauma of Palestinans and the Jewish people.
What we offer
Details about our standard workshops for those in civic spaces
Understanding the Progressive Movement & Israel
Many American Jews, including Jews on the political left, have grown concerned about the perceived lack of support for Israel among progressives. Some simply claim rampant antisemitism is to blame. Others place all the blame on Israel. The truth is obviously more complex. However, to understand the progressive view of Israel you must first understand the progressive movement. Without that understanding, there is no way to meaningfully engage in healthy and productive dialogue.
Systemic Racism & Jewish Allyship
As Jews grapple with racism with renewed focus, one of the biggest challenges we face is our own misunderstandings about what racism is and how it works. Only by exploring systemic racism, and the root cause of white supremacy, can we actually understand how to combat racism in America effectively. In order for Jews to show up meaningfully in the fight against racism, we must be willing to explore these deeply complex ideas. In keeping with our Jewish values, we explore how to better support other marginalized communities, which is how we will build strong, meaningful relationships.
Exploring & Addressing Antisemitism in Progressive Spaces as Jews
First, we learn how to differentiate between biases and bigotry. This is critical because not every problematic thing we hear is motivated by anti-Jewish bigotry. Then, we explore common misunderstandings about what it means to be a Jew, what antisemitism is, and how antisemitism works. This is critical as these misperceptions create a faulty foundation for dealing with these issues and help push problematic narratives forward. Finally, we outline how to help our peers better understand and address antisemitism, and why doing so is critical for our broader fights for justice.
How to Have Effective, Productive Discussions About Israel & Antisemitism with Our Progressive Peers
Without shared values, language, experiences, or a shared view of the world, our words may be misunderstood. Or, they may be perceived as harmful, causing potentially positive dialogues to fall apart quickly. Without the ability to effectively tell our story, our concerns often go unheard. Or, we may be unable to build the personal connections necessary to engage in difficult conversations. Building upon other sessions, participants will learn the skills necessary to improve their ability to navigate these difficult discussions in productive and healthy ways.
Understanding Antisemitism & the Jewish Experience
Antisemitism is the oldest form of hate on earth. The Jewish people, a community of roughly 15 million people, have faced marginalization, oppression, and/or horrific violence in every society, and in every era for thousands of years. Just as white supremacy is engrained in the DNA of our society, so is antisemitism after thousands of years. This training is designed to help progressive leaders/organizations understand antisemitism and why addressing it everywhere, including within our communities and movements, is necessary for shared liberation.
