An Introductory Workshop

Civil discourse begins with mutal respect because respect, not agreement, is an essential key for a healthy discussion. This workshop addresses how we may inadvertently be complicit in, or possibly even encourage, polarization. 

What is the Depolarizing workshop?

This workshop, lead by trained facilitators, is designed to lessen the effects of polarization when you encounter them in your conversations with people who think differently than you. We CAN have healthy disagreements over issues or philosophies. We must resist seeing large groups of ordinary people on the other side of our beliefs as enemies.

Who can attend?

This workshop is for you if you are interested in examining your own inner polarization. Learn how to be more aware of your own "inner polarizer."

How to interact without demonizing, dismissing or stereotyping large swaths of the population

In our current climate, much of our conflict stems not from healthy disagreement over policies, issues or philosophy. It’s often created by emotional, rancor-escalating, and highly polarizing conversations that we typically have with others. The Depolarizing Ourselves workshop will help you reframe how you view the other side in the face of disagreements. Successfully taming our inner polarizer starts with recognizing our tendencies to make harmful geralizations about the other side. This requires acknowledging how we often attribute negative intent and motivations to the other side without first trying to understand them. 

This inspirational workshop is co-sponsored by Temple Beth Emeth Social Action Committee and St. Clare’s Episcopal Church. It is limited to 20 participants from each congregation.

You can register by filling out the form below. We will keep a waiting list for registrations over 20. If there is enough interest, we will hold another workshop with the waiting list registrants first in line.

Questions? Email Nancy Margolis at nnmargolis@aol.com