The JCPA (Jewish Council for Public Affairs umbrella group for 125 JCRCs in the USA) invited Kiyomi Kowalski to speak at the JCPA 2022 annual event. From the web site here is how the JCPA describes itself
Since 1944, JCPA has been the organized national Jewish community’s convener, intergroup connector, and policy advocate. The Conference brings together the largest Jewish national network to engage on today’s crucial issues through a Jewish lens.
Kiyomi Kowalski is an antisemitism education coach and facilitator for Project Shema.
Sold under the nonprofit Jewish Institute for Liberal Values a book by the JCPA CEO David Bernstein entitled "Woke Antisemitism How Progressive Ideology Harms Jews"
espouses similar ideas to Project Shema workshops that have been given a platform by many JCPA member JCRCs.
One of the 'blurbs' (positive reviews used to sell the book Woke Antisemitism) was by Kenneth Stern. Kenneth Stern also is the principal author of the IHRA antisemitism definition who disagrees with JCPA member JCRCs intense lobbying to get the definition adopted by governments, IGOs and NGOs.
“David Bernstein was one of my favorite colleagues at the American Jewish Committee. I didn’t always agree with him, but he was, and is, an original thinker whose ideas challenge us to re-examine our presumptions about what we know, what we do, and how we do it.
Even if you, as a progressive like me, end up thinking that David overstates his case in “Woke Antisemitism,” the book, especially if read with a wider lens, is an invaluable examination of the role dogma plays in our society, and more particularly how Jewish groups navigate it.
The emerging field of Hate Studies teaches us that when issues of identity and perceptions of social justice (or injustice) operate in tandem, we tend to reduce complicated problems into simple binaries, putting on something like a Hogwart’s sorting hat that tells us what to think and feel. And David is right that a significant part of what’s touted as “wokeness” today has that characteristic: look at the world through the narrow lens of race and power and privilege, define what’s good and bad, vilify and chill the speech of those who disagree (or may have the “wrong” personal characteristics), and feel a sense of smug self-righteousness while doing it.
Antisemitism – which exists on both the right and the left – isn’t just a matter of what people say or think about Jews. Dogmas that teach there’s something noble in persecuting political opponents because we’re “obviously right” are not only reminiscent of McCarthyism, but also feed binary (and conspiratorial) thinking, creating fertile ground for one of the most persistent conspiracy theories – antisemitism – to grow.”
–Kenneth S. Stern, director Bard Center for the Study of Hate
and author most recently of
The Conflict over The Conflict: The Israel/Palestine Campus Debate
The relationships between Project Shema, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and its member JCRCs and the Jewish Institute for Liberal Values is best viewed through a lens of a tale of 3 independent nonprofits. 1 nonprofit operates training seminars (Project Shema) to keep progressive people from abandoning zionism because they believe it’s based on colonialism and white supremacy. 1 (Jewish Institute for Liberal Values) sells a book written by the CEO David L Bernstein of a third nonprofit (Jewish Council for Public Affairs) that offers a platform to one of the other nonprofits (Project Shema) to deliver the training seminars.
Back in 2010 Progressive Review told the difference between liberals and progressives that included views on Israel-Palestine final status peace seeking.
Progressives are not afraid of criticizing Israel for its abusive treatment of Palestine. Liberals either support Israel's criminal actions or are afraid of being called anti-Semites so don't say anything.
The book by David Bernstein entitled "Woke Antisemitism" sold by the Jewish Institute for Liberal Values is liberal but not progressive.
The Project Shema mission of facilitating discussions about antisemitism and views on Israel-Palestine final status peacemaking in progressive spaces is liberal but not progressive. The JCPA member JCRC or Jewish Federation platforms, given to Project Shema for workshops and discussions, are liberal spaces but not progressive spaces.
Below are descriptions of Project Shema in the founders own, as well as the words of those who give Project Shema a platform for their workshops.
This link
describes the background of the director of organizing development for the new nonprofit Project Shema that attempts to influence people in progressive spaces to retain their personal support for zionism and Israeli government policies. The topic of the master's thesis of Eli Cohn-Postell betrays the goals of Project Shema trainings done in JCPA member JCRC spaces.
Israeli government policies have become more openly racist and bigoted by abridging rights of non-Jews living under Israeli military occupation and/or Israeli citizenship since PM Ben Netanyahu was elected in 2009 and again in 2022. Each Israeli election since 2009 has continued a succession of 'most right wing government ever' coalitions between parties for a Knesset (parliament) majority and cabinet positions carrying out policy. Israel held Knesset (parliament) elections in 2013, 2015, 2019, 2020, May 2021 with Naftali Bennett replacing Netanyahu as PM until resigning for Yair Lapid and November 2022 with Netanyahu finding a new 'most right wing government ever' multipartisan coalition. Religious Zionism party leader Bezalel Smotrich and Jewish Power party leader Itamar Ben Gvir helped Netanyahu get back to power despite being indicted like his friend in political ideology former USA president Don Trump who is still under multiple investigations with only state level civil verdicts.
Here is what Project Shema posted on their organization's linked in page.
Project Shema
Professional Training and Coaching
Chicago, IL 28 followers
Building Bridges Through Understanding
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About us
The debate over Israel appears to be growing more intense in the progressive movement. At the same time, rising antisemitism globally has understandably elevated fears inside the American Jewish community, making these conversations even more complicated. Consequently, some in the Jewish community wonder if progressives support the right and need for Jewish national self-determination in the state of Israel, and what role, if any, antisemitism plays in that debate.
Named after the Hebrew word which means "to hear" or "listen", Project Shema is an independent nonprofit training and support organization that offers workshops to help the American Jewish community navigate the difficult discussions surrounding Israel/Palestine and antisemitism and provides social justice centered antisemitism education to public and private institutions. In the spirit of deepening understanding and building bridges, we also work to help the community better understand how to engage as allies in the fight for justice.
Contact Us
info@projectshema.org
Website
https://www.projectshema.org/
Industries
Professional Training and Coaching
Company size
2-10 employees
Headquarters
Chicago, IL
Type
Nonprofit
Locations
Primary Chicago, IL, US
Get directions
Employees at Project Shema
Oren Jacobson
Civic Entrepreneur, Organizer, Thought…
Zachary Schaffer
Project Shema, Co-Founder; CYJP…
Brianna Goodlin
Innovation, Strategy & Change
Eli Cohn-Postell
Director of Organizational Development
On August 23, 2022 Project Shema had one forum in a Jewish Federation space in Cincinnati.
Project Shema Public Forum:
Understanding the American Progressive Movement & Israel
August 23 [2022]
7pm - 8:30pm
8485 Ridge Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45236
Mayerson JCC I The Amberley Room
In December 2022 the JCRC of greater Washington (DC, MD and VA called colloquially DMV) sent out a year in review email telling of the JCRC plans to host Project Shema in 2023 as well as telling of plans to expand the JCRC Student to Student program that is intended to keep younger Jews, progressive, liberal and conservative, supporting Israeli government policies informed by zionism.
• and continuing to expand our flagship Student to Student program, which trains teens to share with peers their Jewish beliefs, culture and traditions, and to discuss Jewish history, the Holocaust, Israel and antisemitism.
• monitored state curriculum standards and classroom implementation to ensure Israel, Judaism and the Holocaust are properly taught in schools.
strengthened our relationships with our neighbors, by:
• working in coalition with other faith, minority, and ethnic groups to combat hate and bigotry, and advocating for improved school-based religious accommodations.
• advocating for, and coordinating our local Jewish community’s involvement in, the resettlement of newcomers from Afghanistan and Latin America throughout our region.
• providing leadership at over a dozen interfaith bodies to ensure the Jewish community’s voice is heard and its views are respected.
supported Israel, by:
• hosting numerous webinars with American and Israeli experts to educate our community and strengthen local advocacy for Israel.
• lobbying elected officials to strengthen the US-Israel relationship, support security assistance, combat Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and oppose BDS.
• launching a partnership with Project Shema, which trains and empowers Jews in progressive spaces to engage in more productive dialogues regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Project Shema also spoke to the Milwaukee JCRC at their 2022 annual meeting.
In case of link death here is what was posted on the Milwaukee JCRC web site.
Project Shema – Part 1
Many in the American Jewish community, including Jews on the political left, have grown concerned about the direction and intensity of the debate over Israel/Palestine in some progressive spaces. Some simply claim rampant antisemitism is to blame. Others place all the blame on Israel. The truth is obviously more complex. Join us to gain a better, nuanced understanding of the ideas that shape this potent political discourse and what it means for engagement around Israel and/or antisemitism.
2022 Annual Meeting
Building Bridges Through Understanding
Thank you to all who attended the 2022 Annual Meeting.
Check back soon for video and photos of the event.
Guest Speaker: Oren Jacobson, a civic entrepreneur, thought leader, and policy advisor
Project Shema – Part 2
Understanding the World’s Oldest Hate and how Antisemitism fits into DEI work.
Given the importance of creating truly inclusive spaces, the voices and concerns of the Jewish community must be incorporated as part of the broader conversations around DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) inside organizations. Join us to understand the lived realities, history, and challenges facing the Jewish people and how antisemitism has survived, thrived, and mutated over thousands of years.
On November 7, 2022 Project Shema held a workshop at the Seattle JCRC and Federation for their staff.
Project Shema seminars, like the one in Seattle, also seek to influence people in diversity, equity and inclusion DEI roles in workplaces
and universities with the power to fire workers and expel students based on complaints of fellow workers and students.
In May 2022 Project Shema held a workshop in Rochester, NY.
In late July or August 2022 Project Shema held another workshop in Cleveland for their Federation and Community Relations Committee (local name for what other federations call a JCRC).
On Sept 21, 2022 Project Shema held a workshop in Charlotte, NC. Here is what was posted in case of link death.
Presenter's Bio:
Oren Jacobson is a civic entrepreneur,thought leader, and policy advisor focused on helping communities and organizations build the strength and capacity necessary to improve people's lives. In professional and personal practice, deep pride in his Jewish identity instills in him a sense of duty to disrupt the unjust imbalances of our world. In the spirit of deepening understanding, Oren launched Project Shema which helps Jewish students, leaders, and organizations navigate the difficult conversations surrounding Israel and Palestine and antisemitism and provides social justice centered antisemitism education to public and private institutions. Through this work, he has advised global Jewish institutions and served as a subject matter expert on antisemitism to global corporations.
Presented by:
This program is part of Federation’s Outshine Hate initiative, which seeks to address the need in the Charlotte Jewish community to identify and confront antisemitism and anti-Israel bias.
Here are the voices of who gets left out and exasperated by a process of seemingly endless listening and letting 'all views' be heard without persuasion to change views or action to bring about peace with justice for all in Israel and Palestine. The rhetoric of future progressive activism in solidarity with Palestinians only seems harsher before an uninvolved person learns the history of the past activist failures to persuade those with the power to change policy.
The situation of facts on the
ground in Palestinian areas militarily occupied by Israel gets ever
worse and more urgent for people to unite to bring an end to support for
status
quo and create a final status peace that even people not living in
Israel or Palestine are complicit in. 'Outsiders' are complicit in how
their democratic governments, of other countries, carry out their policies, in military aid and diplomatic support relationships with other countries
mostly of support for Israel but not for Palestine.
