Creating Impact Online

Among recent programs, award-winning Israeli author Ayelet Gunder-Goshen spoke passionately with Spertus online attendees about her influences and the international impact of her work.

Creating intimate and impactful experiences online

In spite of 2020’s weighty challenges, we are fortunate to live in a time when we can deliver impactful education remotely and keep our community of Spertus learners close wherever they are. Since the COVID-19 crisis began, more than 2,500 participants have taken advantage of Spertus programs online.

For decades, Spertus Institute has been a respected leader in distance learning. During the pandemic, we have drawn on this experience to develop and provide a wide range of online offerings. We have offered programs to build community and connections, nurture new skills, and engage with Jewish innovators, writers, and thinkers. Thank you to everyone who has been able to participate. You awe us with your engagement, excellent questions, ideas, and ongoing pursuit of knowledge.

Jewish Community Networking Night

Spertus Institute has long hosted an annual event for community volunteers, consultants, and professionals. Jewish Community Networking Night has brought hundreds of participants together to enjoy each other’s company and enhance their professional tool kits. The evening has seeded partnerships, spurred program ideas, matched candidates to positions, and fostered lasting connections.

This fall, Spertus took the event online, opening the virtual doors to participants worldwide. The evening was an overwhelming success, with registrants from 33 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, as well as France, Italy, Israel, and South Africa. Special guest Hillary Rea, a Moth StorySLAM winner and founder/host of Tell Me A Story, taught participants to craft five-word life stories. The 2020 Innovation Award was presented to KOVAL Distillery’s Dr. Sonat and Robert Birnecker, who retooled early in the pandemic to produce alcohol-based sanitizer for first responders, saving jobs and lives. Among the post-program comments: “I was skeptical about a virtual networking event, but ended up entirely impressed,” “Hillary’s portion was really fun—and valuable, too,” and “It was terrific to see so many people and to be able to participate.”

When most people think of Jewish, they think white and they think European. But Jews of color have been alive and well for thousands of years.

YAVILAH MCCOY

Jews& Race

This year, in two online events, our trio of presenters will focus on race and justice—and their juncture in Jewish life.

Critical Conversations is an annual program inspired by Judaism’s embrace of civil discourse. It brings together high-profile experts and activists to debate critical issues.

Talking Frankly about Race and Racism

Tuesday, April 27 | 7 pm to 8:30 pm central

Moderated by Spertus President and CEO Dr. Dean P. Bell.

Workshop on Allyship and Inclusive Communities

Monday, May 10 | 7 pm to 8:30 pm central

Moderated by Spertus Dean and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Keren E. Fraiman.

We need to upend our entire way of thinking.

DR. MARC DOLLINGER

Being a courageous and compassionate Jew matters. Black and brown lives matter. Standing up for what is right matters.

RABBI MIRA RIVERA

2021 Presenters

Yahvilah McCoy is a Black, Jewish anti-racism activist. She founded Ayecha, the first nonprofit for Jewish diversity and is CEO of Dimension Educational Consultancy. A renowned educator and spiritual practitioner, she was named a “Faith Leader to Watch” by the Center for American Progress.

Dr. Marc Dollinger holds the Richard & Rhoda Goldman Endowed Chair in Jewish Studies and Social Responsibility at San Francisco State University. The author of Black Power, Jewish Politics, he served on the California advisory committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

Rabbi Mira Rivera — the first Filipina-American ordained from the Jewish Theological Seminary — is a chaplain and Associate Rabbi at Romemu in New York and the Rabbi at Ammud: the Jews of Color Torah Academy. She co-chairs the rabbinical council of Jews for Racial and Economic Justice.

Sessions sold separately. Advance tickets required. $18 | $10 for Spertus members $8 for students and Spertus alumni

Purchase tickets online at spertus.edu/conversation

Thank you to our sponsors