10/20/2026
Jones, Platt Will Be ‘Standing’ Together’ with Federation on Nov. 5
Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News
by Casey Swinarski
Strength is in numbers, and for the Jewish community and the African American community, strength is also found in allyship.
Illustrating this allyship, CNN’s Van Jones and actor, podcast host, producer and writer Jonah Platt will join the Jewish Federation of Cleveland for a conversation titled, “Standing Together: An Evening with Van Jones and Jonah Platt” from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at B’nai Jeshurun Congregation at 27501 Fairmount Blvd. in Pepper Pike.
Wuliger
Jason Wuliger, Federation’s Campaign for Jewish Needs vice chair, told the Cleveland Jewish News that the speakers will participate in a candid conversation about building alliances across cultures and identifying ways that the Jewish community and its allies can support one another amid rising division.
“I am really excited about this event because these two speakers are so dynamic and bring so much knowledge to the table,” Wuliger said.
Platt, a leading voice on Jewish identity, culture and current events, is known for his work on Broadway’s “Wicked” and in the Oscar-nominated film “Being the Ricardos.” Notably, he hosts the podcast, “Being Jewish with Jonah Platt.”
“His ‘Being Jewish with Jonah Platt’ podcast has been a really great resource for our people over the last several years to hear from thought leaders and to help us navigate a lot of the challenges that our community has been facing post Oct. 7, 2023,” Wuliger said.
Van Jones, a CNN host, Emmy Award-winning producer, bestselling author and social entrepreneur, has spent his career bringing people together across differences to advance change in areas including clean energy, criminal justice reform and civic engagement.
“One of his biggest priorities is reinvigorating the relationship between the Jewish community and the African American community,” Wuliger said. “I’ve had the pleasure of hearing him (Jones) speak on the subject before, and with the feeling that he brings to this topic, you can tell that his heart is in every word.”
Together, Wuliger said the pair will touch on the challenges that exist in each community today and identify ways that they can support one another in a candid and entertaining conversation.
“They will talk about how different communities can come together, in this case the Jewish community and the African American community,” he said. “These are both leaders in that space, and every time I listen to either of them, I expect that it will be thought provoking, entertaining and everyone will learn a lot.”
With the support of Brunswick Companies, every increased gift to the Federation’s 2027 Campaign for Jewish Needs made in connection with the event will be matched dollar-for-dollar.
“Brunswick Companies have a history of incredible generosity when it comes to the campaign, and the fact that they are matching gifts makes this a special opportunity not just to come together as a community, but to increase our impact in the campaign,” he said. “What will be featured on stage between Van Jones and Jonah Platt is the kind of work that the Federation does all the time – bringing communities together and helping not just the Jewish community, but a variety of different communities deal with whatever issues they’re facing in the moment in ways that are authentic and demonstrate our allyship.”
Additionally, the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation’s “Mandel Match” will double the increased portion of every gift that is increased by 10% or more and made before Nov. 1.
Cost to attend is $25 per person, and a commitment to the 2027 Campaign for Jewish Needs is required to attend. Registration deadline is Nov. 3 and space is limited.
