United States Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff will speak in person at Jewish Community Relations Bureau | American Jewish Committee (JCRB|AJC)'s regional summit on combating antisemitism, along with guest speakers and educators from across the country.
Emhoff will participate in a conversation with AJC CEO Ted Deutch and JCRB|AJC Executive Director Gavriela Geller during the closing plenary of the summit.
“We’re thrilled to be joined by the second gentleman, who has proudly shared his Jewish culture with national and international audiences in his time in this role,” Geller said. “Mr. Emhoff has stood steadfastly against antisemitism, and inspires us in the hard work of continuing to fight this enduring form of hate. We’re eager to learn together, from him and from all of the accomplished and insightful speakers joining us this April.”
The summit will take place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Rockhurst University (1100 Rockhurst Rd., Kansas City, MO 64110). A series of local and national guest speakers and educators will share their best practices for addressing antisemitism; explore antisemitism in the 21st century; and facilitate conversations on addressing antisemitism in the Midwest, including in rural areas.
Geller will be joined by Mindy Corporon, founder of SevenDays, for opening remarks. Corporon will be marking the 10th anniversary of the shooting of her son, Reat Underwood; her father, Dr. William Corporon; and Terri LaManno outside of The J and Village Shalom by a murderer who intended to kill Jews.
A presentation on American antisemitism will follow, hosted by Holly Huffnagle, Mike Signer and Oren Jacobson. Huffnagle is the AJC U.S. director of combating antisemitism. Signer is an author, attorney and former mayor of Charlottesville, Virginia, a city which experienced severe antisemitism and violence in 2017. Jacobson is the executive director of Project Shema, a program that trains and supports Jewish communities and allies about contemporary antisemitism.
Three breakout sessions will be offered at 10:45 a.m.:
- “Making Space for the Jewish Community in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Frameworks,” led by JCRB|AJC Director of Education and Programs Sarah Markowitz Schreiber; Project Shema DEI Director April Powers; Kevin Clayton, senior vice president and Head of Social Impact and Equity for the Cleveland Cavaliers; and Jess Burke, the director of EDI and liaison to LGBTQ2+ partnerships at The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.
- “From Memes to Manifestos: Antisemitism in the Digital Age,” led by Huffnagle; Jyot Singh, the associate director for the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) Center for Technology and Society; Katherine Keneally, the head of threat analysis and prevention in the U.S. for the Institute of Strategic Dialogue (ISD); and Arthur Maserjian, the chief of staff of the Combat Antisemitism Movement.
- “Setting the Record Straight: Zionism, Israel and Antisemitism,” led by Neta Meltzer, director of community and governmental relations at JCRB|AJC; Sam von Ende, managing director of the Amicus Institute for Governance; and Project Shema’s Oren Jacobson.
After a working lunch at noon, three more breakout sessions will be available:
- “Stronger Together: Coalition-Building in a Polarized Society,” led by Jackie Subar, the ADL director of strategic partnerships; Mike Signer of Charlottesville, Virginia; Gwen Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City; and Wendell Shelby-Wallace, associate director of Philos Black.
- “From Chaos to Clarity: Navigating Disinformation Through Media Literacy,” led by retired local Jewish journalist Dan Margolies; Jyot Singh of the ADL, Isabelle Frances-Wright, director of technology and society at the ISD; and Tricia Maxfield, program director of the Civics Education Initiative of American Public Square.
- “Creating Safer School Environments,” led by Sarah Markowitz Schreiber of JCRB|AJC; Columbia College Chicago student Emma Jacobson; KU Hillel Interim Director Bailey Nakelsky; and Jessica Rockhold, executive director and CEO of the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education.
Emhoff, Deutch and Geller will speak at the end of the summit.
