This fall, JCLP—in cooperation with the Network of Independent Jewish Communities, Jewish Federations of North America—has already hosted two seminars attended by members of more than a dozen small congregations throughout the state.  One focused on Antisemitism and the other on Israel. A planning committee comprised of lay leaders from the congregations chose those topics and then called on the considerable expertise of Ohio-based professionals.

Donald A. Sylvan, Emeritus Professor of Political Science at The Ohio State University, continues to teach courses in Middle East Politics and the Politics of International Terrorism, with a concentration on Israeli-Palestinian Relations.  His lauded academic career, complemented by his longtime involvement in the Jewish community, including as a congregational president and as vice president of the Columbus Jewish Federation, made him the ideal person for a consideration of how to understand and discuss what is going on in Israel now.

The Zoom gathering on November 4 brought together ADL Regional Director James Pasch and Sarah Livingston, Executive Director of Ohio State Hillel. They are both on the front line of dealing with Antisemitism and their wide-ranging discussion covered both local and global situations with an emphasis on how students can be best equipped to deal with hatred on and off campus.

JCLP continues to facilitate meetings of the Ohio cohort planning committee to identify subjects that are both topical and timeless for future virtual gatherings. 

Though what was novel in its Hollywood Squares-like presentation when everyone first started to meet via Zoom last year is now standard practice, calls to “please mute yourself” are still commonplace!

Please contact Noah Levine (info@jclproject.org, 678-429-8895) for more information about how JCLP can help your congregation.

November 11, 2021