From Contraction to Expansion: Jewish Spiritual Tools for Fighting Authoritarianism and Antisemitism

In this time of rising antisemitism and authoritarianism, many feel the impulse to contract—retreating into fear, hyper-vigilance, or isolation. Jewish spiritual wisdom teaches us that another path of wholeness and expansion is not only possible but urgently necessary. As Jewish people committed to a multiracial, pluralistic society, how do we respond with wisdom, courage, and moral clarity to the twin challenges of antisemitism and authoritarianism? 

Join Kirva for an online workshop and conversation on the spiritual resources needed for moving from constriction to expansiveness on Monday, April 28th from 7-8:30PM ET / 4-5:30 PM PT. 

Through Jewish spiritual practice, we will cultivate bitachon (trust) and ometz lev (courage) to resist antisemitism while staying deeply committed to collective liberation. Rabbi David Jaffe and Yehudah Webster will guide us in learning, spiritual practice, and reflection, while Dove Kent of Diaspora Alliance will offer political analysis on rising antisemitism and its weaponization in this moment. Now is the time to expand—our vision, our solidarity, and our sense of what is possible. We hope you’ll join us. All are welcome. Live closed captioning will be available.

Learn more about our speakers: 

Dove Kent has two decades of experience in grassroots organizing, political education, and movement building. She has served as the Executive Director of Jews for Racial & Economic Justice, Senior Strategy Officer at Bend the Arc, co-Founder of Tzedek Lab, and currently as the U.S. Senior Director of Diaspora Alliance. Dove is a nationally recognized leader and teacher on dismantling antisemitism and has been published in anthologies and news outlets, including The Guardian, NPR, Ha’aretz, and Jewish Currents.

Yehudah Webster is a Spiritual activist and community organizer who works to animate and integrate anti-racist behaviors and culture in communities, supporting the collective organizing, advocacy and direct service efforts to dismantle racism systemically. As Senior Faculty of Kirva, directing their Dismantling Racism from the Inside Out Program, Yehudah equips communities with the daily concrete spiritual tools of Mussar to subvert racism within ourselves and others through facilitating workshops, consulting with organizations, and building a community of anti-racist practice. Yehudah is a graduate of Jews for Racial and Economic Justice’s Grace Paley Organizing Fellowship, Bend the Arc’s Selah Leadership Program, Kirva’s Ovdim Fellowship, and a recipient of both the Pomegranate Prize through the Covenant Foundation as well as the Beerman Foundation Fellows for Peace and Justice Award.

Rabbi David Jaffe is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Kirva. He is the author of Changing the World from the Inside Out: A Jewish Approach to Personal and Social Change, which won the National Jewish Book Award for Contemporary Jewish life. His teaching, writing, organizing and consulting explore the intersection of moral and spiritual development and ethical action in the world.  He teaches Mussar (applied Jewish ethics) and Jewish spiritual wisdom widely throughout North America with organizational and social change leaders, educators, and spiritual seekers of all ages.