JCRC's Boston Jewish Now

Boston JCRC
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Boston Jewish Now helps Boston’s Jewish community make sense of the issues, events, and public conversations shaping Jewish life here. Each episode breaks down what is happening in the news, local government, and community in our region — and, when relevant, the national or global dynamics that affect Jewish life here at home. The podcast is designed for engaged members of Boston’s Jewish community who want to better understand the landscape around them, follow the issues shaping our community’s place in Massachusetts, and understand what deserves their attention.

  1. 1D AGO

    Are "Mainstream Jewish Institutions" Making Jews Less Safe?

    A recent Boston Globe Ideas essay made sweeping claims about mainstream Jewish institutions, suggesting that their posture on Israel and their approach to defining antisemitism are themselves contributing to the climate that makes Jews less safe. In this episode, Jeremy Burton and Oren Jacobson unpack that argument, challenge its logic, and examine how reducing diverse Jewish communal leadership to a single caricature can easily become a way of blaming Jews for the harm or violence directed at them. They also explore where criticism of institutions is fair, where it starts to revive old tropes about Jewish influence, and what it means when those “ideas” gain legitimacy in public discourse. Oren Jacobson is a civic entrepreneur and the CEO of Project Shema, where he works with communities and institutions across the country to better understand and respond to contemporary anti-Jewish bias and anti-Jewish ideas. His work focuses especially on how these ideas show up in public discourse, even subtly and unintentionally. Oren is a regular partner to JCRC and CJP here in Greater Boston and has previously testified before the Massachusetts Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism, helping commissioners and State House leaders better understand Jewish identity in public life.

    46 min

  2. MAR 19

    More Attacks on Jews, More Security — But Is It Enough?

    A week with more attacks on Jewish institutions than days in the week. That’s the reality many are waking up to, and asking: what happens next?

    16 min

  3. MAR 11

    When Does JCRC Speak — and Why?

    In this episode, we explain how and why JCRC speaks publicly during moments of crisis and controversy. When statements appear under Jeremy Burton’s name instead of the organization’s, what does that actually mean? Who is the real audience for those comments? How does a coalition of 40 Jewish organizations decide what to say in real time when civic leaders are asking for guidance — and why even speak publicly at all? The conversation explores how JCRC engages civic leaders and institutions, the process behind public comments, and why relationship-building — not public outcry, outrage, and blasting — is the most effective way to advance the interests of the Jewish community in Massachusetts.

    26 min
  4. Massachusetts Action on Antisemitism After Sydney

    12/19/2025

    Massachusetts Action on Antisemitism After Sydney

    What does it take to move from listening to action when confronting antisemitism? In this timely episode of Boston Leaders Unplugged, JCRC CEO Jeremy Burton sits down with Representative Simon Cataldo to reflect on the work and impact of the Massachusetts Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism — the first commission of its kind in the nation — against the backdrop of the recent deadly attack at a Chanukah gathering in Sydney. With Jewish communities around the world grieving and reassessing safety, this conversation explores how local action, policy, and community solidarity can make a tangible difference. Together, they discuss the Commission’s unprecedented listening process behind the Commission’s final report, key recommendations across education, public safety, and policy, and what it will take for leaders, communities, and allies to translate these findings into meaningful, sustained action across the Commonwealth. Learn more about the Massachusetts Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism and read the final report: https://malegislature.gov/Commissions/Detail/646/Documents

    50 min
  5. Better Disagreements Make Stronger Communities

    10/31/2025

    Better Disagreements Make Stronger Communities

    How can we help young people talk with each other instead of at each other — and help schools move from a fear of “getting it wrong” to genuine inclusion for Jewish students? In our latest episode of Boston Leaders Unplugged, JCRC’s Spencer Cronin talks with Shira Hoffer, founder and executive director of The Viewpoints Project, a nonprofit teaching young people to “disagree curiously.”  Together, they explore how thoughtful dialogue can change classroom culture — why goals matter (debate vs. dialogue), how small phrasing shifts (“do you think” beats “don’t you think”) can make a big difference, and why near-peer mentors often have the greatest impact. Check out more from The Viewpoints Project.

    50 min

  6. 06/18/2025

    How Keshet Changed LGBTQ+ and Jewish Life Forever

    In this powerful — and emotional — Pride Month conversation, we sit down with Idit Klein, founding CEO of Keshet, to reflect on her 24-year journey transforming LGBTQ+ inclusion in Jewish life. What began in a Boston apartment became a national force for change — mobilizing the Jewish community to help secure marriage equality in Massachusetts (where the Boston JCRC proudly became the first JCRC in the country to publicly support equal marriage), a milestone moment driven by Keshet's work. That unified advocacy helped defeat a constitutional amendment and made Massachusetts the first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage. Keshet went on to activate Jewish communities across all 50 states to support the Equality Act, advocating for federal protections for LGBTQ people and mobilizing clergy, synagogues, and grassroots supporters across the country. Idit shares how Keshet built community, shaped culture, and empowered a generation — from challenging Jewish institutions to move from ignorance, to tolerance, to full embrace; navigating painful rifts in progressive spaces post-October 7; and standing firm for trans youth in a moment of rising hate. As she steps back from leading Keshet, Idit reflects on what it takes to build something lasting, what’s next for Keshet, and what’s next for her. The film that started it all: https://www.keshetonline.org/hineini-coming-out-in-a-jewish-high-school/

    53 min

  7. 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

  8. 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
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About

Boston Jewish Now helps Boston’s Jewish community make sense of the issues, events, and public conversations shaping Jewish life here. Each episode breaks down what is happening in the news, local government, and community in our region — and, when relevant, the national or global dynamics that affect Jewish life here at home. The podcast is designed for engaged members of Boston’s Jewish community who want to better understand the landscape around them, follow the issues shaping our community’s place in Massachusetts, and understand what deserves their attention.

Information

  • Creator
    Boston JCRC
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Boston JCRC
  • Show Website
    JCRC's Boston Jewish Now

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