In The News

We rarely have the opportunity to hold a mirror up to ourselves and see how our own actions matter. This past February, “Clean Speech Nebraska” allowed all who participated to do this every day for 30 days

In major cities across North America and amid stark and persistent political divisions, a new movement is catching on, bent on toning down the vitriol that saturates social media, divides communities, disrupts friendships and even upends family get-togethers. The goal: to turn even political disagreements into respectful, constructive interactions.

DENVER – This week, Rabbi Raphael Leban, executive director of The Jewish Experience in Denver, is launching his fourth annual Clean Speech Colorado Campaign, aimed at bringing together community members with different opinions.

Hate speech online has been increasing so rapidly worldwide that the United Nations commissioned a special study on the subject last year. The study concluded that “Efforts in the fight against ‘the tsunami’ of hate and xenophobia in social media appear to be largely failing because hate is increasing, not diminishing.”

Words of loving-kindness (Ahavas Chesed) will be the focus for Clean Speech Colorado starting November 1st. In its 4th year, the campaign continues to grow not only statewide but nationally and internationally. Guided by the Colorado Clean Speech team, New York City, Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Illinois and Ottawa will also run 30-day campaigns in November, making this an unprecedented month of awareness and education of Jewish mindful speech.