Online Engagement Team

Members of our Online Engagement Team:  Moran Bar-Kochva, David Bernstein, Lipaz Ela (co-leader) Ed Finkel, Irit Gross, David Katznelson, Brandon Kaufer (co-leader), Nancy Kaufman, Daniel Kraus, Eileen Levinson, Alex Lindholm, Erica Lyons, Arik Rosenblum,  Kari Saratovsky (co-leader), Andrew Savage, Lenny Silberman, Rabbi Loren Sykes, Stefan Teodosic, Moshe Weinstock and Zach Weisman      

The focus of our Online Engagement Team is addressing the deep-seated divides within the Jewish community by crafting unified narratives, utilizing diverse content and facilitating in-person formats designed to heal internal relationships by inspiring a renewed understanding and unity among all Jews. By engaging with modern creatives and leveraging platforms that speak to today's audience, we aim to curate a narrative mosaic. One that not only acknowledges our differences but celebrates them, weaving them into a richer, more colorful tapestry of Jewish identity.

Jewish history is replete with interwoven stories of unity and fragmentation, of bridges built and bridges burned. Our past is a poignant reminder of the positive benefits of collective action and the dire consequences of infighting. Today, Yet, in this age of information and globalization, our community is not just navigating internal divisions but is also assimilating an array of external influences. These dynamics often amplify our differences, overshadowing our shared heritage and values.

Today, as in the past, the global Jewish community, spanning across continents and cultures, faces a unique challenge: how do we engage with our diverse identities and beliefs, while nurturing a sense of collective belonging? As we stand at this crossroad, we must ask ourselves: how can we harness our rich tapestry of stories, traditions, and wisdom to forge connections, foster understanding, and heal the divides that threaten the cohesion of our community? 

Our Online Engagement Team aims to craft a narrative that resonates deeply with every Jew, no matter where they stand on the spectrum of belief or practice. With the inspiration from thinkers past and present, it will undertake to develop a roadmap that: (a) celebrates the diversity within our community while highlighting our shared legacy; (b) uses storytelling to spark conversations, challenge assumptions, and foster empathy; and (c) creates spaces where differences are not just tolerated, but valued as integral to our collective identity.

In this endeavor, we're not merely looking to tell stories; we're aiming to build bridges. Let's embrace our shared history, and together, script a future of unity and understanding.