American Jewish Congress Launches AJCatalyst Lab Incubator

The American Jewish Congress is creating AJCatalyst Lab, a venture-style incubator to identify, support and scale initiatives against antisemitism. The organization said the Lab will use business approaches and 21st-century technology and social media tools to build community bridges and strengthen U.S.-Israel ties.

It will provide startup funds, strategic mentorship, operational support, media advice and access to the group's national and international network.

Investors composed of leaders in law, media, policy, technology, communications, fundraising and education will oversee a portfolio of projects selected through a competitive process. Education forms a central component, supplying young people with historical facts to counter misinformation about Jews and Israel.

The organization said it aims to drive critical thinking and encourage young people to pause before accepting claims.

The American Jewish Congress is one of the earliest U.S. groups advocating for Jewish people and the creation of Israel. It warned of the dangers of Nazism in the 1930s, helped German Jews immigrate to the United States, and participated in the civil rights movement during the 1960s.

The president of the American Jewish Congress said a spike in antisemitism after the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel exposed gaps in existing advocacy approaches. He stated that a new playbook is needed that focuses on effectiveness rather than volume.