What Is “Project Esther”—And Why Should We Pay Attention?
- Rabbi Bridget Wynne
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
By Rabbi Bridget
June 2, 2025 • 6 Sivan 5785
You may not have heard of Project Esther, a new initiative from the far-right Heritage Foundation, the same group behind Project 2025. But it is important—and alarming.
Project Esther claims to protect Jews, but was created with very little input from Jews or Jewish organizations. It claims that Jews are too “complacent” and need the authors of this report to defend us. Project Esther uses the language of fighting antisemitism to promote antidemocratic goals.
It exploits legitimate Jewish fears to advance white Christian nationalist ideas and crack down on civil rights.
Some of its proposals include:
Labeling civil society and justice-focused organizations as part of a “global Hamas support network.”
Framing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts as dangerous or antisemitic.
Downplaying antisemitism from the right while focusing only on pro-Palestinian activism.
Calling for restrictions on free speech and defunding civil society organizations.
Why does this matter?
Because right-wing politicians are already using this plan, with frightening results. A recent executive order requires universities to monitor international students’ political activity, which the government then uses to attempt to deport legal residents. A bill in Congress would allow many nonprofits to lose their tax-exempt status by labeling them, without proof, as “terrorist supporters.”
Project Esther doesn’t protect Jews. It divides us from others and distracts from the real threats of antisemitism.
Resources to Explore
Project Esther: A National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism, The Heritage Foundation
“Project Esther”: Exploiting Jewish Fear to Advance Dangerous Policy, The Nexus Project and T’ruah
Thinking About…Fomenting Antisemitism, Timothy Snyder
Join me online on Tuesday, June 17 to learn more about Project Esther and its impact, and to explore how you might respond to this plan that claims to act on behalf of Jews and the Jewish community. Register here.