How does American philanthropy affect American Jewish communal politics? In this conversation, we will explore this question as well as dive into what challenges and opportunities have arisen on the Jewish left due to the philanthropic spaces' response to October 7, the ongoing assault of Gaza, and the wave of Palestinian solidarity demonstrations around the world.
Panelists
Rabbi Becky Silverstein strives to build a Jewish community and world that encourages and allows everyone to live a life that reflects their inherent divinity / dignity. Becky is a member of the faculty at SVARA: A Traditionally Radical Yeshiva and a co-director of the Trans Halakha Project. In addition, Becky is on the leadership team of Rabbis for Ceasefire and is currently developing a new project concentrating on Jewish philanthropy, while also working as an organizer and connector in the Jewish philanthropic community.
Rebecca Vilkomerson is the Co-Director of Funding Freedom, which is working to organize support for Palestinian liberation in the philanthropic sector. Previously, she was the Executive Director of Jewish Voice for Peace from 2009-2019. She is the co-author, with Rabbi Alissa Wise, of Solidarity is the Political Version of Love: Lessons from Jewish Anti-Zionist Organizing, out from Haymarket books this month.
Sarah Anne Minkin, PhD, works at the intersection of human and civil rights advocacy, philanthropy, and education, with a special focus on Israel/Palestine. She is the Director of Programs and Partnerships at the Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP), where she leads programming, works to deepen FMEP’s relationships with existing and potential grantees, and builds relationships with philanthropic and other partners. Sarah Anne earned her PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a trained community mediator and a chaplain-in-training.