COLUMBUS, Ohio – Hate and prejudice, often learned behaviors, can also be unlearned. A new Columbus-based interfaith organization, We Are Just Talking, Inc., is dedicated to fostering this unlearning through open communication.
Bridging Divides Through Dialogue
Founded by Steve Glickstein, a congregant at Congregation Tifereth Israel and Chabad Columbus, the organization’s mission crystallized after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas in Israel. Glickstein, 64, felt compelled to combat the rising antisemitism, asking himself, “What can I, one Jew, do to stop the hatred directed toward my people?”
Glickstein, a resident of New Albany with two decades of experience in business transformation at JPMorgan Chase, approached the problem with a problem-solver’s mindset. “I needed to do something, and the hardest part of it was not being afraid to do something,” he shared. His year-long research into prejudice and hate involved meeting with former neo-Nazis, de-radicalization experts, and leaders from organizations like the Counter Extremism Project, the Anti-Defamation League, and StandWithUs.
A recurring theme emerged: open communication and personal contact are crucial for understanding. Glickstein embraced the principle articulated by social psychologist Gordon Allport: “The best antidote to prejudice is contact.” He recognized the need to collaborate with leaders from other faith communities, admitting, “Connecting communities requires partners outside of the Jewish community and I knew no one.”
A pivotal moment came when Glickstein emailed Pastor Jerry Revich of Unity Temple Church, proposing a partnership to address racism, antisemitism, and hatred affecting their respective communities. Pastor Revich responded with an immediate “I’m in,” a testament to the initiative’s direct approach.
Pilot Program Success
With this foundation, We Are Just Talking, Inc. gained momentum. Rabbi Yoni Nadiv and Ori Katzav from JewishColumbus, along with Laurie Reichman from Shalom Alliance, joined the effort. The team developed a structured program and launched a five-conversation pilot series from March to May, involving members of Columbus’s Jewish and Black communities. A new cohort is scheduled to begin in mid-August, with participants meeting four times.
The program’s design is rooted in seven decades of research demonstrating how intergroup contact can prevent and dismantle prejudice. Glickstein explained, “There’s a structured framework for the dialogue, and it’s sustained dialogue. It’s not a presentation. There’s no lecture. It’s not one conversation. It’s multiple conversations over many weeks, followed by monthly get-togethers, monthly conversations.” This sustained engagement aims to make uncomfortable conversations comfortable, thereby overcoming hatred.
Initial feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. “The results were amazing,” Glickstein reported. “It was overwhelming how much people became comfortable talking with each other about this, and the friendships that were formed.” Participants described the experience as “enlightening,” fostering “understanding,” “connection,” and a sense of “love.” Many were “amazed to meet and see how open people were to share,” with one participant noting, “I don’t think anyone was judgmental.”
Glickstein believes the initiative is sparking a movement. “Everybody said this feels like a movement is starting, a movement to just bring people together and talk,” he said. He emphasized the necessity for the Jewish community to engage with others: “For us as Jews to be able to address it, we can’t do that in our own community, in our own silo. We’ve got to start talking with members of other communities.” Crucially, he stressed the importance of listening before speaking. “It starts with listening and then we can talk,” Glickstein stated. “That’s really the approach I took. It was a case of, let’s listen to other people and hear what challenges they have.”
The personal reward for Glickstein is profound. He now has an answer for his children when they ask, “What did you do when antisemitism and other forms of hatred were spreading rampant around the world?”
Individuals interested in participating in these conversations can reach out by emailing [email protected].
