Starting November 1, members of Jewish communities across North America are invited to participate in the “Clean Speech Challenge.”
Founded by Rabbi Raphael Leban, executive director of the Jewish Experience in Colorado, the Clean Speech Challenge is a 30-day educational and awareness campaign to strengthen unity and respect within and beyond the Jewish community.
“Over the past decade we experienced a terrible disintegration in civility and public discourse and in our healthy relationships personally,” Leban told the Journal. “The way we speak to each other is both the problem and the solution.”
As Jewish communities around the country continue to grapple with the war in Israel, and the loss of more than 1,400 lives and 200+ hostages taken by terrorists, many are finding ways to unite and heal and try to make a difference.
The month-long campaign, Leban explains, is both a response and an opportunity to make the world a better place.
The month-long campaign, Leban explained, is both a response and an opportunity to make the world a better place. “This campaign is particularly timely and important right now,” he said. “We need to be extremely united as a people while under attack from our enemies.”
He added, “In addition, the world needs to see the beauty of a healthy Jewish community, particularly at a time when antisemitism is at a shockingly high level all around us.”
Launched by Leban in Denver, Colorado, in 2019, the Clean Speech campaign was a response to mounting concerns regarding the increasingly confrontational discourse among communities and online platforms. Since its inception, more than 60,000 individuals have taken part throughout North America.
According to the organization, participant surveys reveal that 72% of respondents witnessed a significant transformation in their communication patterns, while 98% acknowledged that the campaign’s teachings have had a lasting impact on their speech. Plus, more than 90% expressed eagerness to join future campaigns.
This year, more than 200 Jewish organizations and schools, across the spectrum of affiliations, plan to participate; Clean Speech expects to reach more than 60,000 people. While anyone, anywhere, can sign up online, there will be campaigns run in New York City, Denver, Cincinnati and Santa Barbara. Ottawa, Canada, will run their campaign in December, and Toronto, Cleveland, St. Louis, New Jersey, Dallas, Los Angeles and the United Kingdom will run campaigns in early 2024.
“Although we are outraged and heartbroken with the atrocities committed on our brothers and sisters, we are also galvanized in solidarity as a Jewish community to defend, support and encourage each other with honor and respect” Leban said.
Starting November 1, participants in the Clean Speech campaign will receive daily two-to-three-minute minute videos, based on timeless biblical wisdom. These videos offer everyday insights and tips on how to speak with respect to others. The hope is to erase gossip, slander and criticism.
“Instead of watching graphic, violent videos of terrorists bent on destruction and death, our campaign offers a very different kind of video,” Leban said. “One that gives a positive message and tools for changing the way we speak to one another.”
Leban believes the exercise of learning for two minutes daily consistently for one month will help to “lock in real change in the way to speak to each other. Our data shows that if someone participates in the campaign consistently, spending just two minutes a day for 30 days, they can genuinely and successfully upgrade their speech habits. The relationships with people all around them will thereby be improved, whether at home or at work.”
He continued, “If as a community, we embrace the lessons of Jewish mindful speech successfully we can elevate and upgrade our communal discourse affecting everyone in the community and ultimately the world.”
The Clean Speech Challenge is free and open to all. For more information and/or to sign up, go to CleanSpeech.com.
