“Common Ground” Workshop – Defining and Addressing Anti-Semitism on the Right and the Left

Join us for a Common Ground Workshop on Defining and Addressing Anti-Semitism on the Right and the Left.

A group of us in Braver Angels have met to discuss the issue of the growing anti-Semitism that is emerging out of the continued polarization in our country. Given the long history of Jews as victims of violence as an outgrowth of political unrest, we felt that this was an important enough issue to address through Braver Angels.

What we discovered at a couple of our meetings was that the Red and Blue Jewish Braver Angels do not completely agree on what constitutes anti-Semitism. And if we cannot agree then we cannot inform others about our concerns about anti-Semitism growing in this country.

We decided that it would be helpful to first do a Common Ground Workshop between Red and Blue Jews and attempt to reach a working understanding of the characteristics of anti-Semitism and to come up with solutions we all can support. Bill Doherty and John Schwenkler will moderate the workshop. Non-Jews are welcome as observers. After the workshop, we will consider how to bring the issue to the larger Braver Angels Community.

The Braver Angels Common Ground Workshop brings together equal numbers of Conservatives and Liberals – Reds and Blues (4-8 of each) – for a deep dive into a problem, such as addressing climate change, electoral reform or abortion. Together participants talk about their connection to the issue and their opinion on solutions. By the end of the 3-hour online event they have come up with jointly and unanimously held Points of Agreements on values, concerns and policies.

The Common Ground workshop is an out-growth of Braver Angels signature Red-Blue workshop and allows participants to go deeper into a single issue. Points of Agreement can be fleshed out at future group meetings, and when possible lead to joint Red-Blue actions such as op-eds, joint speaking and meetings with legislators.

Goals:

• To delve into a single issue where citizens differ, and learn how each other sees the problem
• To delineate areas of common ground and points of agreement
• To learn something that might be helpful to others in our community and the nation.

Logistics:

There are two ways to join a Common Ground Workshop:

• Participant: A participant will engage in small- and large-group discussions with individuals of both the same and different political persuasions. Participants must identify as “red” (Republican or leaning conservative) or “blue” (Democrat or leaning liberal). We will strive for an equal balance of red and blue participants: 4 to 8 people on each side.
• Observer/Alternate: An observer/alternate will not participate in the discussions directly but will have the opportunity to watch and listen. Observers/Alternates should be ready to step in and participate as their “color” in the event of participant cancellations. In areas that have a geographic “color” imbalance, allowing for up to 15 Observers/Alternates provides an opportunity for more people to experience a Red/Blue workshop. Observer/Alternates have found observing a workshop to be amazingly valuable.

Who can come? Anyone interested in developing a deeper understanding of, and connection with, people whose political beliefs differ from their own. You should honestly be able to answer “yes” to the following question:

“Are you willing to listen to the other side, and are you willing to speak to the other side with respect?”

Everyone who signs up will receive a phone call or email from an organizer. Organizers reserve the right to switch people between Participant and Observer/Alternate status depending on the needs of the workshop.

See you there!

This workshop is a free event brought to you by Braver Angels as part of our mission to depolarize America. Braver Angels is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We invite you to consider a gift to Braver Angels; all donations are tax deductible.  Your support will allow us to offer more workshops and debates with the ultimate goal of uniting America. Click here to donate.