B’ham Federation workshop deals with conversation beyond divisive views

At a time of great political and social division, where meaningful conversations seem more difficult, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Birmingham Jewish Federation is bringing Resetting the Table to the community.

The national organization specializes in teaching skills for productive conversation, overcoming confirmation bias and suspicion, investigating differences not to paper over them or even reach common ground, but to understand different perspectives in a productive manner.

Margaret Norman, director of the JCRC, said the Federation “sees this as an investment in community cohesion and relations, enabling us all to better build bridges both within and beyond our Jewish community.”

The council is seeking an “ideologically and politically diverse group of participants who are passionate about gaining, practicing and sharing relationship and community building skills.” The program is being offered free, with participants expected to consider finding ways to share what they have learned. The application materials have a few suggestions on how to do that, within family or the broader community.

Participants will also be offered $118 to host an optional small-group Shabbat dinner, to practice and share the skills.

Applications are due on Feb. 24, with decisions announced around March 3.

The training will be on April 1 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the N.E. Miles Jewish Day School, led by a Resetting the Table facilitator. There will be space for up to 40 participants, and dinner is included. The following day, many local Jewish community professionals will convene for similar training.

While the workshop’s focus will be conversations on Israel, the skills will translate to other topics and political divisions. Participants will share their own viewpoints and experiences, and learn how to explore disagreements while strengthening relationships and trust.

In addition to its workshops, Resetting the Table also has a short film, “Purple,” filmed in swing areas of rural Wisconsin and Iowa, presenting “a rare political conversation that uplifts, provokes, and inspires while going toward the heat of passionate political differences.” It is screened in venues across the country, with a discussion guide.

Past screenings have included Delta State University’s Office of DEI in Cleveland, Miss., Cottage Hill Christian Academy Social Awareness Club in Mobile, Lake Forest Charter School in New Orleans, the University of Mississippi and the Lacombe Museum.