Boston Leaders Unplugged

Boston JCRC

Real conversations with the voices who shape our community. For 80 years, we've led critical conversations for the Jewish community, and now, we're bringing them to you. Tune in as we share insights, engage with leaders and changemakers, and dive into the discussions shaping our future.

Episodes

  1. 06/06/2025

    What People Get Wrong About Antisemitism Definitions

    PLEASE NOTE: This episode was recorded before two recent antisemitic attacks: the tragic murders of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, two young Israeli Embassy staffers fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 2025; and the Molotov cocktail attack on a peaceful Jewish gathering in Boulder, Colorado. While these horrific incidents are not referenced in the conversation, they underscore the urgency of the themes we explore — defining antisemitism, educating to prevent it from becoming dangerous and deadly, and empowering the next generation to confront it with courage.Gabi Schiller, New England High School Regional Manager at StandWithUs, is on a mission to ensure that Jewish students can show up fully and authentically in their schools. In this episode, she shares how StandWithUs equips high schoolers with the tools, language, and confidence to proudly express their Jewish identity; help their peers understand the breadth of Jewish experience; and educate others on what kind of rhetoric constitutes real harm — and what rhetoric can lead to it.We also dig into one of the most contested issues in today’s discourse: How do we define antisemitism? We break down why the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) working definition of antisemitism can be a useful tool as a non-legally binding working definition, and why it’s viewed by some as controversial. We explore what IHRA actually says (and doesn’t say), why it doesn't suppress free speech or criticism of Israel, and why those in progressive spaces may recommend alternate definitions.

    25 min
  2. 03/06/2025

    The Unseen Child Trauma from Antisemitism

    Since October 7, many American and Israeli-born Jews — especially students in K–12 schools — have faced traumatic invalidation: the dismissal of their pain and lived experiences. This isn’t just an unfortunate side effect of rising antisemitism — it’s one of the ways antisemitism actively operates. Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern, an expert in trauma-informed interventions, joins Jeremy Burton to explore how antisemitism causes harm and denies that harm, deepening trauma. They also discuss how trauma can be a driving force in radicalization. Through her work at Parents4Peace — an organization that includes former extremists such as a neo-Nazi and a jihadist who now work to prevent violence — Dr. Bar-Halpern has seen firsthand how unaddressed trauma can push individuals toward extremist ideologies. What does evidence-based research tell us about breaking these cycles of harm before they take root? Mental health is a key part of this work and a JCRC legislative priority. Addressing trauma — both individual and communal — is essential as we confront antisemitism. This includes ensuring that K–12 schools become trauma-informed spaces where Jewish students feel safe and supported. How can the Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism help make that a reality? This conversation unpacks what’s happening, why it matters, and how we can push back against both antisemitism and the psychological wounds it inflicts.

    34 min

About

Real conversations with the voices who shape our community. For 80 years, we've led critical conversations for the Jewish community, and now, we're bringing them to you. Tune in as we share insights, engage with leaders and changemakers, and dive into the discussions shaping our future.