The JCRC Op-Ed Initiative
February 22, 2017
Posted by: Jeremy Russell, Director of Marketing and Communications
In November, JCRC brought together a unique group of Bay Area Jewish community leaders for a special training by The Op-Ed Project, which educates women and others who are often underrepresented among the experts in their fields to take thought-leadership positions by writing and placing op-eds. As well as being shown effective avenues to express themselves on the issues most important to them, program participants were encouraged to express their Jewish values as part of their outreach.
The Bay Area is experiencing increasing challenges to our civil society, including intense political polarization, the deterioration of civil interaction among individuals with divergent political perspectives, increased tension around global issues, and troubling local anti-Israel and anti-Semitic activity. Empowering JCRC supporters to bring values-positive perspectives to a broader audience strengthens the voice and esteem of the community.
In just the three months since the training, six new articles have been published by the participants on a variety of topics in a range of publications, and we are excited to share them.
- “After election, a secure Jewish future requires civic engagement,” Abby Porth, J Weekly (November 11, 2016)
- “A backyard rooster’s trip to the halal slaughterer,” Patricia Keer Munro, J Weekly (December 16, 2016)
- “Marin Voice: Donald Trump’s election is frightening,” Gayle Donsky, Marin Independent Journal (January 5, 2017)
- “Never Again/Silence = Death,” Rachel Wahba, Times of Israel (January 16, 2017)
- “To Be Less of a Jew/Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Rachel Wahba, Huffington Post (January 25, 2017)
- “Honor thy parents by fighting for S.F. affordable housing,” Susan Moldaw, J Weekly (February 14, 2017)