The Cohen Family Leaders in Light Institute is designed to help participants explore the unique challenges and opportunities each of our communities face, and come together in education and action to build towards a stronger inclusive democracy. Each leader will leverage their extended networks to multiply influence and maximize impact, working together to create systemic change and empower positive outcomes.
The Cohen Family Leaders in Light Institute has two components, the first being a series of monthly seminars over a nine-month period. Upon the completion of the seminars, the second component will feature practical application of the seminar content, in which participants will leverage their learnings to enhance their own work, raise awareness and inspire action in their respective communities, and catalyze change.
2021-2022 Seminar Dates
I. SETTING THE STAGE - THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HATRED, EXTREMISM, AND INCLUSIVE DEMOCRACY
Tuesday, September 14, 2021: The contemporary challenge of extremism, and what’s at stake for our civil society and inclusive democracy
Scholar in Residence: Eric Ward, Western States Center
Supporting Speakers: Oren Segal, ADL
SSA Morgan Spurlock, F.B.I.
Tuesday, October 19, 2021: The Role of Antisemitism
Scholar in Residence: Dr. Ethan Katz, UC Berkely
Friday, November 5, 2021: Drivers of Extremism Part 1: Trauma, Scarcity, and Fear
Scholar in Residence: Dr. Arie Kruglanski, University of Maryland
Supporting Speaker: Shannon Foley Martinez, former violent white supremacist
Tuesday, December 14, 2021: Drivers of Extremism Part 2: Conspiracy Theory, Alternative Facts, and the Loss of Trust
Scholars in Residence: Sasha Havlicek, Institute for Strategic Dialogue
Matt Masterson, Stanford University
II. WE THE PEOPLE: A LOOK AT WHO WE ARE IN THIS MOMENT, HOW WE RELATE TO EACH OTHER AND WHAT’S HOLDING US BACK
Friday, January 14, 2022: Understanding Value Differences
Scholar in Residence: Dr. Jay Van Bavel, Associate Professor of Psychology, NYU
Friday, February 11, 2022: Intersectionality in Equity Movement Building
Scholar in Residence: Yavilah McCoy, CEO, DIMENSIONS INC.
Friday, March 11, 2022: Solving Cloud Problems: Strategies for Adaptive Leadership
Scholar in Residence: Dr. Peter Coleman, Lecturer; Executive Director,
Advanced Consortium on Cooperation, Conflict and Complexity in the Earth Institute
III. TOOLS FOR LEADERSHIP IN A POLARIZED TIME
Friday, April 8, 2022: Building Lasting Peace: Lessons in Compromise and Durability
Details forthcoming
Tuesday, May 17, 2022: Balancing Leadership Capital and Moral Courage
Details forthcoming
