SHVILIM’s Pathways

Inspired by the generative, collaborative and visionary tenets of the arts and of Jewish wisdom, the SHVILIM team is mapping out the following paths:

A path towards shared understanding

We believe that fostering understanding of Jewish experiences, histories, cultures, and traumas can lead to transformative change that ultimately supports the thriving and well-being of all peoples. We aim to support communities (Jewish and non-Jewish) to undo unconscious biases that can perpetuate oppression, including antisemitism.

A path towards shared humanity

Our futures, fates and freedoms are all bound up together. No pursuit for justice is isolated. We take a holistic approach to ending oppression for all peoples. We aim to continue building partnerships across communities impacted by oppression and encourage further learning about all forms of oppression.

A path towards multiplicity

Encoded in Jewish tradition is an active practice of questioning and of upholding a multiplicity of perspectives. Our process involves listening to many voices, making space for multiple truths, and working through how to share that diversity of perspectives with our communities. Our intention is to foster ongoing discourse that moves us beyond stagnation and fixed narratives.

A path towards relationship

Dialogue, learning and relationships are pillars of transformation. We strive toward honest grappling, resilient listening, and cultivating relationships across points of difference.

A path of artistic expression 

We seek to engage with arts and culture to celebrate the diversity and explore the complexity of Jewish life with nuance and beauty, opening to a deeper understanding of our shared humanity. 

WHY DO THIS WORK WITH ALLIES?

No group can dismantle oppression alone. Building strong, reciprocal relationships across diverse identities and experiences is essential to addressing antisemitism as part of the interconnected dynamics of oppressions. Jewish specific spaces can provide culturally relevant support; however, collaboration, trust-building, and long-term invested relationships with allies can help to advance meaningful action outside of Jewish communities. Allyship also helps counter isolation, a historic and ongoing impact of antisemitism. Additionally, to ensure that arts and culture connected to the Jewish experience are integrated into the provincial and national arts landscape, the role of allies in fostering the development and presentation of this work is also vital. 

Why emphasize a non-punitive approach?

In a climate marked by fear, confrontation and retribution, SHVILIM’s approach is about calling in instead of calling out. We aim to support communities (Jewish and non-Jewish) to share learning, deepen understandings, and undo unconscious biases. Calls for cancellations, firings, boycotts or funding cuts often shut down these opportunities for growth and connection. This isn’t about ignoring harm, but about responding in ways rooted in relationship and humanity. As the Jewish commitment to tikkun olam reminds us, repair is our shared responsibility—even when the work is unfinished.

  • The concept of tikkun olam (Hebrew for ‘repairing the world’) has its roots in a kabbalistic Jewish mystical teaching. In the process of creation, God’s divine light was contained in special vessels and some of them shattered. The shards scattered across the world. It is our responsibility to gather up those broken shards to create wholeness and healing; to restore the light. In recent decades, the notion of tikkun olam has been taken up in progressive Jewish circles as a call to social action toward repairing this broken world. 

  • When we are hurt or concerned about someone’s words or actions, the SHVILIM approach is to invite people into dialogue rather than to engage in shaming and blaming. Bridging Worlds is shared in the interest of shaping greater appreciation of the experiences of Jewish people in the arts, sharing examples where individuals have experienced hurt, confusion or conflict. SHVILIM is not making a determination about whether or not these instances constitute antisemitism; we are sharing them in the interests of shaping better understanding of lived experiences in the arts community.