Civic and
Community
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 Diaspora has the potential to erode individual and/or collective Jewish safety.
What we offer
Details about our trainings, briefings and workshops for those in civic and communal spaces
Understanding the Progressive Movement & Israel
Many 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
and Jewish
Allyship
One of the biggest challenges we face in grappling with racism is our own misunderstandings about what it is & how it works. Only by exploring systemic racism and the root cause of white supremacy can we understand how to combat racism effectively. In order for Jews to show up meaningfully in the fight against racism, we must be willing to explore these deeply complex ideas. We explore how to better support other marginalized communities, which is how we will build strong, meaningful relationships.
Addressing Antisemitism After October 7th
Our comprehensive training program offers a nuanced understanding of the current rise in anti-Jewish sentiment. We provide support resources for Jews and allies alongside our training. Participants gain insights into contemporary antisemitism, Jewish identity, and history. The program includes a clear allyship guide to help individuals identify and counter anti-Jewish harm while respecting the dignity of all. It explores the reasons behind the spread of harmful rhetoric in this unique moment, fostering a comprehensive awareness of the issues at hand.
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.
Antisemitism in Progressive Spaces as Jews
We must learn to differentiate between biases and bigotry as not every problematic thing we hear is motivated by anti-Jewish bigotry. We explore common misunderstandings about what it means to be a Jew, what antisemitism is, and how antisemitism works. 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 it's critical for our broader fights for justice.
Productive Discussions on the left about Israel & Antisemitism
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.
Want to learn more?
Please reach out to our team to learn more about the programs and trainings we offer