Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

Ari Ballaban — In Conversation

For a whole variety of reasons–some good, some bad–people frequently self-segregate. Whether along racial, religious, ethnic, socioeconomic, political, or other lines, we have a tendency to surround ourselves with people who look, act, and believe like ourselves.

The results aren’t all negative: people with similar lived experiences sometimes can understand us better or be more capable of providing us help than “others.” Nevertheless, the negative results of this communal sorting are innumerable, contributing to animosity amongst disparate groups and weakening social solidarity. Echo chambers and extremism are not so far downstream from such ills. All threaten our broader community, Jews included.

That is why I am so proud that Leaders in Light will launch its second fellowship cohort in the fall of 2023. This decision confirms what those who already experienced the program know: It is enormously impactful, deepening local inter-group connections and helping to counter extremism in our city. In convening top Cincinnati leaders, our first fellowship class demonstrated that this sort of interconnectivity isn’t just possible, but that it’s effective and imperative.

Do you know a top leader in the Cincinnati area? Someone interested in getting to know other local leaders with diverse experiences and viewpoints? Someone who is an ally interested in being part of a coalition to fight extremism? We want to consider them for the 2023-2024 fellowship! Please nominate them using this link: https://bit.ly/LILnomination.