Navigating the intersection of her Jewish identity and her professional career, Stacy Harvey created a space where she and her colleagues could express their culture in a safe and welcoming space. We sat down with her to talk about her professional journey and what motivated her to create this program.

Combating Antisemitism:

What motivated you to spearhead a program to fight antisemitism within your organization? Can you share any specific incidents or experiences that inspired you?

While much of my personal life is rooted in Jewish community, until recently I did not have many close Jewish colleagues. When my colleague Andrew and I realized our immediate mutual understanding and respect because of our shared heritage, we contemplated bringing together more Jewish colleagues. However, it wasn’t until an overtly antisemitic blog post showed up on our internal social media platform that we acted on our instinct to build this group.

The work has been strenuous, but building this vibrant Jewish work community rooted in support and mutual understanding has been tremendously rewarding. When we began in April of 2023, we intended to celebrate holidays, share challah recipes and network. While we wished we didn’t need it, after October 7th, our community has fostered a sense of unity and solidarity during this extremely challenging time.

What strategies have you found most effective in combating antisemitism in the workplace?

We aim to combat antisemitism through a focus on the positive aspects of Jewish tradition. Through building awareness, celebrating Jewish traditions and in general connecting Jewishly in a safe space with people who understand each other. Eventually we hope to promote more interfaith dialogue.

How does your program engage with non-Jewish employees or colleagues, and what kind of response have you seen from them?

Non-Jewish colleagues don’t realize that they’re welcome and we want them to join our group. They are hesitant to participate in our Jewish affinity group due to concerns about navigating sensitive topics like the Israel-Hamas war. They’ve expressed that they don’t fully understand the conflict and the history. We attempt to address this by sharing that our group’s focus extends beyond geopolitical issues. We aim to celebrate Jewish identity, foster community and support one another in both personal and professional endeavors. Our discussions can encompass a wide range of topics, from holiday traditions to cultural heritage, without necessarily delving into political debates.

Philanthropy and Community Service:

With your extensive involvement in philanthropy, how do you decide which causes or projects to support?

In the past I have focused on endeavors where I felt my personal strengths could benefit others. For example, when I lived downtown, I became a Community Connector. Finding, and connecting Jewish families helped us build a community that gathered to celebrate holidays, each other’s simchas and in general, connect Jewishly, usually over bagels and lox.

How do you balance your philanthropic efforts with your professional responsibilities and family life?

I tend to focus on philanthropic endeavors that incorporate my family. This has become increasingly challenging as our children get more involved in their own activities and express preferences on how they want to spend their time!

Motherhood and Jewish Identity:

Can you share some of the challenges you’ve faced in raising children with a strong Jewish identity in today’s world?

We feel privileged that our children are too young and sheltered to feel the stress of being Jewish right now. That said, they know that Israel is central to Judaism. While they haven’t yet been, they love Israel mostly because of their early childhood education at Beth El and PJ Library books. They consistently ask if the war is over yet and if their past ShinShinim are ok.

Future Goals and Advice:

Looking forward, what are your main goals for the program you’ve initiated against antisemitism, and how do you plan to achieve them?

Despite adversity that led to initial hurdles, we have developed a structured, professional, positive group that has created a sense of wellbeing and belonging for members. Our goal is to continue to align our mission with our company’s core values and to gain recognition that our existence benefits our company. Through this we hope to gain increased internal support.

What advice would you give to other Jewish professionals who want to make a difference in their communities or workplaces but might not know where to start?

Gather Jewish people and connect. Creating a safe space with mutual understanding will lead to idea generation, confidence to lean on each other, and the realization that we also deserve support and recognition.

How do you see the role of Jewish women in professional fields evolving, and what message would you like to share with young Jewish girls aspiring to pursue similar paths?

Jewish women have changed the world throughout history. Having 3 daughters, we own at least 5 books focusing on exactly that. I want my daughters to know that with perseverance, they can have it all. Simultaneously they have a unique responsibility to make the world a better place and continue Jewish tradition.

Personal Reflections:

How do you manage to maintain your resilience and motivation in the face of challenges, both as a professional and in your personal fight against antisemitism?

I’ve realized that standing against antisemitism, or really any kind of hate, doesn’t seem to create popularity at work. People tend to not want to acknowledge difficult topics in professional settings, or perhaps at all. I continue to strive for excellence in my work, to maintain the respect of leadership and my colleagues. Simultaneously I have obligated myself to support Jewish colleagues at work and feel a sense of responsibility to continue this mission.