Project Shema
May 26, 2026
Project Shema Becomes Independent Nonprofit, Expands Team and National Impact
Chicago, IL, May 2026
Project Shema, a leading education, training, and support organization focused on building inclusion and belonging by addressing contemporary antisemitism, with an emphasis on how discourse around Israel and Palestine can undermine Jewish inclusion and safety, announced its transition to an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, alongside significant team and program growth, and the appointment of its inaugural Board of Directors.
“I started working on the ideas behind Project Shema in 2018, recognizing a problem that became painfully obvious after October 7th, 2023. Anti-Jewish ideas and narratives were often going unnoticed and unchecked in discourse around Israel and Palestine, especially in left-leaning spaces. It wasn't until after that day, though, that so many realized we needed new approaches to address an age-old challenge,” said Co-Founder and CEO Oren Jacobson.
In 2025 alone, Project Shema delivered nearly 300 programs, reaching more than 11,000 people nationwide. Following workshops, the percentage of participants who said they will consistently challenge anti-Jewish ideas doubled from 40% to 80%. The organization also earned an average “willingness to recommend” score of 8.4 out of 10. “Given the emotionally charged and highly polarized nature of the issues we explore, this speaks volumes about the nuance, empathy, and effectiveness of our approach,”Wilson added.
Since early 2025, Project Shema has expanded from 11 to 24 full-time staff, strengthening its capacity across programs, operations, communications, and development. “This investment, rooted in a commitment to building a team reflective of the Jewish people’s global diversity, reflects the organization’s growing impact addressing one of the most complex challenges facing the Jewish community,” Jacobson added. “This growing capacity will enable us to better adapt to an ever-evolving landscape and ensure our training programs continue to be nuanced, tailored experiences to strengthen organizations,” said Chief Strategy Officer, Kara Wilson.
Project Shema also welcomed its inaugural Board of Directors: Chair Rachel Sussman, Vice Chair Jill Blair, Secretary Marla Werner, Rabbi Sandra Lawson, Julie Segal Walters, Emeri Handler, and Raymond Roker.
“Our entire board is incredibly excited to help guide Project Shema in this new phase. The organization plays a unique and critical role in our ecosystem, creating space for people to hear and be heard, navigating the most difficult conversations to help ensure Jewish inclusion and safety inside healthy, pluralistic institutions and beyond,” said Board Chair Rachel Sussman.
To learn more, visit projectshema.org. Our work focuses on supporting non-profit organizations and educational institutions, though we have provided support to corporations as well.
Media Contact: kk kendrick, VP of Communications, Project Shema, kk@projectshema.org