Randi Dodick Fields is Project Coordinator. Randi has extensive experience developing and producing large scale projects and programs, having spent more than 25 years in broadcast journalism and independent media production and having recently co-chaired the JCC Maccabi Games in San Francisco, which involved 1300 local volunteers and brought together nearly 2000 participants from across the country and the world.
Rachel Eryn Kalish is Project Facilitator. Rachel Eryn has over 25 years of experience working with a wide variety of organizations, communities and families to transform conflict into creative, inspired and trusting relationships. Along with Abby Michelson Porth, she founded Project Reconnections, the catalyst for the Year of Civil Discourse Initiative.
Abby Michelson Porth is Associate Executive Director of the JCRC. Along with Rachel Eryn Kalish, she founded Project Reconnections, the catalyst to the Initiative.
David Katznelson is the Director of Outreach and Engagement for the Jewish Community Federation, and is coordinating the Federation's participation in the Initiative.
Rabbi Marvin Goodman is Executive Director of the Board of Rabbis of Northern California. His work focuses on enhancing and sustaining the rabbis of northern California in their work with our Jewish Community.
This innovative project is a joint effort of the Jewish Community Relations Council and the San Francisco-based Jewish Community Federation, in partnership with the Board of Rabbis of Northern California.
We are grateful to these foundations for their visionary investment in the Year of Civil Discourse Initiative:
The Needs Assessment Committee reviews applications of Jewish institutions seeking participation in YCD, and identifies useful opportunities and resources that will match those institutions' particular needs. Some institutions will have the opportunity to host Project Reconnections, and others will be provided with facilitator training, or other resources. We are grateful to the Needs Assessment Committee:
Liki Abrams
Al Baum
Matt Berler
Susie Colliver
Rabbi David Cooper
Dana Corvin
Sue Diamond
Adina Danzig Epelman
Randi Fields
Michael Futterman
Rabbi Marvin Goodman
Jennifer Gorovitz
Michael Jacobs
Rabbi Douglas Kahn
Rachel Eryn Kalish
David Katznelson
Susan Koster
Susan Lubeck
Gerri Miller
Abby Porth
Susan Rothenberg
Toby Rubin
Mady Shumofsky
Rabbi Eric Weiss
Howard Zack
The Year of Civil Discourse (YCD) Initiative is designed to elevate the level of discourse in the Jewish community when discussing Israel. We envision an inclusive Jewish community where people from across the political spectrum can come together, discuss challenging topics, inspire and empower one another, leading to a stronger and more vital Jewish community. YCD will provide Jewish community members, institutions, and leaders with the tools to have respectful, vibrant, engaging conversations about Israel and emerging controversial issues. We hope you'll join us in this innovative effort!