Workshop

Religious Allyship

There are few topics that feel as sensitive and taboo to discuss at work as religion. But in today’s day, avoiding these conversations can have negative impacts on employees. In tense and often painful times, it is essential that we show up authentically for our colleagues as active allies, rooting in compassion, shared values and a willingness to learn. As such, ReadySet offers various workshops that focus on better understanding and support of employees who encounter bias on the basis of their religious identity.

These sessions will be facilitated by at least one facilitator who holds the religious identity that is the focus of the workshop. Participants will receive a resource document after the sessions.

ReadySet strongly recommends offering both of these sessions sequentially, in any order.

Jewish Allyship and Inclusion

Learning
Outcomes

  • Learn definitions of terms related to Judaism, Jewish ethnicity and Jewish culture

  • Understand key Jewish values that may influence how colleagues interact in the workplace

  • Investigate the differences and connections between Judaism, Israel, and Zionism

  • Explore how antisemitic bias has manifested and currently manifests

  • Practice key tools and tactics to actively oppose antisemitism

  • Root in clear shared values for sensitive conversations and disagreements

Content May Include

  • Definitions of key Jewish terminology and discussion around the nuances of Jewish ethnicity and intersectionality

  • Discourse on Jewish values, and observances that allow participants to better understand Jewish culture as it may show up at work

  • Highlighting the realities and common myths around Israel, Zionism, and Jewish identity

  • Delve into the history of antisemitism, how it shows up today and the impact it has on Jewish people at work

  • Action on different tactics to intervene in instances of antisemitic bias as an active ally

  • Root in Values exercise for navigating conflict

Muslim Allyship and Inclusion

Learning
Outcomes

  • Learning definitions of terms related to Islam, common ethnicities connected to Islam, and Muslim people

  • Explore the Five Pillars of Islam and how they might show up in the workplace for Muslim colleagues

  • Discover the differences and connections between Muslims, Arabs, and Palestinians

  • Understand how Islamophobia has manifested and currently manifests

  • Practice key tools and tactics to actively oppose Islamophobia

  • Brainstorm how we can connect across differences to support colleagues, especially in tense times.

Content May Include

Note: For these sessions specifically, it’s important to note the boundaries of discussion. This is a conversation around better supporting colleagues of different faiths using an equity lens. While these conversations will naturally connect to current events, this is not a conversation around geopolitical conflicts or political viewpoints. This is also not a mediation or therapy space nor is it a space to air grievances.  ReadySet does offer two workshops that provide tools for connecting and communicating across political and identity differences. 


  • Definitions of key Muslim terminology and discussion around the nuances of Muslim diversity in the world

  • Discourse on Muslim values and practices that allow participants to better understand Islam and how it can show up at work

  • Debunking misconstrued definitions of important common Muslim terminology and connected identities

  • Delve into the origins of Islamophobia, how it shows up today and the impact it has on Muslim people at work

  • Practice the use of active allyship intervention strategies to block Islamophobic bias

  • Consider varying frameworks for communicating across differences in sensitive situations

Methodology

This session integrates self-reflection activities with best practices for effective cultural and communication strategies, for a highly interactive and organization-specific experience. This session is highly interactive and participatory to encourage active learning and engagement with the material. We frequently use scenario “think-through’s,” role-playing, and partner or group activities.