Upstander Ripple Effect Episode 7: “Building Community” featuring Rob Herman, Beth Silvers, and Sarah Stewart Holland

This episode tackles the daunting task of building community in a deeply divided post-election landscape head-on.

“I think it is the essential project of this moment and it’s something I
think is going to be very hard for both sides to do.” – Jackie, on community building

Hosts Kevin Aldridge and Jackie Congedo acknowledge the challenges inherent in that task, but insist it’s essential work. They explore historical models of community, from the exclusionary Volksgemeinschaft put forward by Nazi Germany to Dr. Martin Luther King’s inclusive Beloved Community, to illuminate the path forward. The conversation delves into the evolution of American identity, from melting pot to salad, and the dangers of ideological bubbles.

From the archive, we bring you the story of Rob Herman, the son of Holocaust survivors who relied on upstanders and community to make it out alive. Then, Jackie and Kevin share more with the upstanders at the Pantsuit Politics podcast. Ultimately, this episode is a call to action – a challenge to listeners to reflect on their role in being a “light” and contributing to community-building, even through small acts of kindness. The stakes are high, but the hosts believe this is the defining project of our time.

This episode is part of the Cynthia & Harold Guttman Center for Storytelling. Subscribe here https://www.youtube.com/@holocaustandhumanity