“Communications Consultant Fired for Suggesting Jews Avoid Using ‘Zionism’ in Messaging”

In recent developments within the Jewish community, a communications consultant was dismissed from his position with the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) after advising Jewish leaders to reconsider the use of the term “Zionism.” This recommendation, made during a presentation to the JFNA’s Young Leadership Cabinet in Minneapolis, suggested that reframing certain terms could be beneficial in today’s polarized political climate. The consultant, Matthew Berger, emphasized the importance of strategic messaging, including the recommendation to “avoid ‘Zionism,'” which was shared in a slide during his talk.

The presentation, which aimed to explore effective communication strategies for addressing antisemitism and anti-Zionism, quickly became a topic of debate. The slide, later circulated by the conservative Jewish news service JNS, sparked a response from JFNA, which reaffirmed its commitment to Zionism. According to Niv Elis, JFNA’s associate vice president for external communications, the slide was part of a broader discussion on effective messaging and did not reflect the organization’s stance on Zionism.

In the wake of the controversy, JFNA terminated Berger’s contract, emphasizing that the presentation did not represent their approach to Zionism. The organization clarified that the presentation was prepared by a consultant for Project Halo, an initiative aimed at helping federation leaders counter antisemitism and anti-Zionism.

Berger, who previously worked as a reporter for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, declined to comment on the specifics of the incident but shared his perspective on the complexities surrounding the term “Zionism.” He highlighted the need for clear messaging to raise awareness of antisemitism and build alliances, noting that misunderstandings of the term could hinder these efforts.

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Jewish communities in navigating political and social discourse. As they strive to address antisemitism and promote understanding, the choice of language remains a critical component of their strategy. In this context, the biblical call to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) resonates, encouraging thoughtful and compassionate communication in the pursuit of peace and justice.

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