People often confuse optimism and hope. They sound similar. But in fact, they’re very different. Optimism is the belief that things are going to get better. Hope is the belief that if we work hard enough together, we can make things better. It needs no courage, just a certain naivety to be an optimist. It needs a great deal of courage to have hope. -Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sachs z” l

This week, our new Senior Director of Jewish Life, Rabbi Hindy Finman, and I attended a conference hosted by Brandeis University and the JCC Association titled, “Navigating Israel and the Rise in Antisemitism.” This experience was not only enlightening but also deeply moving, as it underscored the enduring challenges of antisemitism throughout history and the deep societal impact of the horrific terrorist attack of October 7, 2023 and its aftermath. The conference took us on a very intentionally curated journey, first providing context and perspective followed by skills building and finally eliciting ideas for local application. Attendees developed a common understanding of where antisemitism comes from and the multitude of ways in which antisemitism has been perpetrated over the years and we dug deep into the research on how events in and around Israel can fuel an increase in local antisemitic activity. We heard from scholars, historians and community leaders who shared their insights and personal stories, painting a vivid picture of resilience and resistance. We discussed the importance of leadership, versus just management, in troubling times and we learned techniques to help fight against growing social and political polarization and how to create the conditions for constructive dialogue so that people with different perspectives can safely work, learn and live together.

Ready to put our newfound knowledge to use, the conference ended with a free flow of ideas about next steps within each of our respective communities. Sendoff parties for Jewish teens heading to college in the fall, weekly homemade video messages sent out across the JCC movement, leveraging arts & culture as a vehicle for sharing key messages and building allyship, op-eds in local papers, staff training, town hall meetings to discuss the dangers of social media among teens and so much more. No matter the program or strategy, all of us are left with a renewed commitment to create opportunities for collaboration, mutual support and shared learning as a means of addressing stereotypes and biases, breaking through existing echo chambers and strengthening the fabric of our diverse communities. And while I was in Boston, Pittsburgh’s resiliency center, the 10.27 Healing Partnership, was busy with the National Mass Violence Center’s 2024 Summit, which brought together more than 150 attendees from communities that have experienced mass casualty events as well as an online/virtual presence of nearly 2,000 participants. The summit focused on evidence-based fundamentals of mass violence preparation, response, recovery and resilience. It included personal stories of survivors, lessons learned from civic, community and state leaders who’ve experienced the devastation of a mass violence incident and practical tips to collaborate and create effective mass violence plans that are survivor-centered and address the behavioral and mental health needs of victims and communities. The JCC hosted the opening reception on Wednesday evening, and following the summit, the 10.27 Healing Partnership team helped lead the first-ever resiliency center directors’ seminar to further the field and share best practices among a network that has more than tripled in size over the last five years due to the proliferation of mass violence events.

So, this is the hard work of creating and maintaining hope. The history of the JCC movement is built on taking decisive actions at the most critical times. Our values prioritize safety and community and instill a sense of urgency. As Rabbi Hillel once said, “If not now, when?” For the JCC of Greater Pittsburgh, it is not enough to be optimistic. Instead, we seek out opportunities to roll up our sleeves and actively engage our neighbors to build a stronger and more inclusive future.

Wishing you and your families a Shabbat shalom,

Jason