2026-02-23 12:14:AM <br/> Tags: #AmericanJewry #organization #KeyOrganizations #Lobby #LeftwingJewry ![[image-239.png|554x192]] # Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice (BTA) - Bend the Arc (BTA) is a left wing progressive American Jewish organization.[^1] - BTA is involved in political lobbying, organizing protests, and public messaging for domestic left wing causes.[^4] - BTA purposefully does not involve itself in matters related to Israel. - According the BTA's website "Bend the Arc is building a multiracial, multiethnic, intergenerational movement of Jews and allies all across the country who are rising up to build an American future free from white supremacy, antisemitism, and racism."[^2] - BTA actively connects Jewish religious principles to its left wing political activism. - BTA is deeply anti-white. #### History and Structure - BTA was founded in 2011 after a merger of the Progressive Jewish Alliance (PJA) and Jewish Funds for Justice (JFJS). - [The PJA](https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/bend-the-arc#:~:text=Founded%20in%201999%20with%20offices%20in%20San%20Francisco%20and%20Southern%20California%2C%20PJA%20was%20the%20relaunch%20of%20the%20local%20chapter%20of%20the%20American%20Jewish%20Congress) was founded in 1999 as a "relaunch of the local [San Francisco] chapter of the [[American Jewish Congress]]." *The American Jewish Congress was the premiere left wing Jewish social justice organization of the 20th century. The AJCongress was a major legal player in the civil rights era.* - In 2012, the new organization was named Bend the Arc. - BTA is headquartered in Manhattan with "satellite" offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C.[^6] > - As described in an [excerpt](https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/bend-the-arc#:~:text=At%20any%20one,pocketed%20outside%20funders.) from *Tablet*: "At any one time a Bend the Arc campaign will include clergy, professional staff, volunteer activists, and partner organizations in upward of a dozen synchronized protests, sit-ins, and marches featuring similar scripts, T-shirts, and signage that roll out like a wave across the nodes of the network—a network cleaved from the infrastructure of Jewish life and connected to the much bigger power source offered by a set of deep-pocketed outside funders." --- - BTA operates both a: - 501(c)(3) educational arm called "Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice." - 501(c)(4) pollical action committee (PAC) called "Bend the Arc: Jewish Action." - BTA's PAC was founded by Alex Soros, the son of [[George Soros]].[^7] - Bend the Arc: Jewish Action backs far left candidates including: Zohran Mamdani, Keith Ellison, Sarah McBride (trans congressman), Jamaal Bowman, etc.[^7][^12][^13][^14] ![[image-237.png|446x223]] #### Positions and Activity - BTA CEO Stosh Cotler described leaders of establishment American Jewish organizations as "people who are in their 70s and 80s who are white, Jewish men. They might not have any meaningful relationships with younger Jews, Jews of color, queer Jews, etc."[^4] *Jews only invoke 'white' as a pejorative. In the same way, they will only consider themselves white to disparage white people.* - In the name of "religious freedom," BTA is lobbying against Ohio's "Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act" which will, according to BTA, "allow public school and university teachers to promote the “positive influence of Christianity” on American history and culture — an unnecessary and dangerous overreach that undermines the separation of church and state."[^5] *BTA breaks its own rules without even realizing. It opposes the Act because it will "allow" teachers to talk positively of Christianity. Notice the bill doesn't "force" teachers to do anything. Teachers simply being "allowed" to talk about Christianity is the so-called "religious freedom" BTA is pretending to protect. BTA's contempt for white people, Christians, and our countries is poorly concealed. This is far from the first episode of Jewish opposition to public displays of Christianity in the United States.* - BTA provides a template email to send to Ohio legislators in opposition to the Act. - The email opens: "As a Jewish resident in Ohio..." *Not as a progressive, not as a Democrat, not as a concerned citizen. As a Jew.* --- - In 2013, BTA worked with [[Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)|HIAS]], [[ADL]], [[Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA)]], and the [[National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW)]] to lobby Congress to pass the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013, which would give a path to citizenship for the 11 million illegals in the country at the time.[^18] - The bill was proposed by Jewish New York Senator Chuck Schumer and was negotiated with and co-sponsored by the "Gang of Eight."[^19] - The Gang of Eight was a group of soft-on-immigration bi-partisan senators including [[Marco Rubio]]. - In 2013, BTA worked with the [[Jewish Labor Committee (JLC)]] to [protect illegal immigrants](https://forward.com/news/179296/jews-unite-behind-push-for-immigration-reform/#:~:text=Jewish%20Labor%20Committee%20and%20Bend%20the%20Arc%2C%20a%20progressive%20national%20Jewish%20group%2C%20in%20pushing%20for%20immigrant%20labor%20protections.) in Los Angeles.[^18] - BTA organized lobbying and protests against the first Trump administration's immigration policies. - This [included](https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/bend-the-arc#:~:text=undocumented%20citizens%E2%80%99%20access%20to%20driver%E2%80%99s%20licenses) lobbying for illegal immigrants to have access to driver's licenses. - Since Trump took office again in 2025, BTA has been organizing mass opposition campaigns to ICE, immigration enforcement, and Trump's immigration policies more broadly. - On January 27, 2026, during Operation Metro Surge (the ICE operation in Minnesota resulting in the death of two violent agitators), BTA observed [[International Holocaust Remembrance Day]] by urging "every Jewish institution" to "look at itself and ask what we are doing to end fascism here, in the United States, in 2026."[^15] *This is another holocaust!* - BTA runs an anti-ICE initiative called "Jews Against ICE."[^16] - Jews Against ICE lobbies Congress to cut funding for ICE and CBP. - Jews Against ICE organizes protests against ICE. Protestors wear/carry Jewish signage and religious materials to create a distinct "Jewish section" at large anti-ICE protests. - In February 2026, Jews Against ICE [organized](https://www.bendthearc.us/100_rabbis_lead_jewish_community_protest_outside_ice_headquarters#:~:text=WASHINGTON%2C%20DC%20%2D%20On%20Wednesday%2C%20more%20than%20100%20rabbis%20and%20cantors%20led%20hundreds%20of%20Jewish%20community%20members%20in%20a%20protest%20outside%20ICE%20Headquarters) "more than 100 rabbis and cantors" in a protests outside ICE headquarters. The rabbinical protest was organized by BTA in partnership with: [[Keshet]], [[J Street]], [[Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)|HIAS]], etc. - In 2023, BTA organized "Bigger Than Roe" in partnership with the Women's March.[^11] - Bigger Than Roe was a protest in favor of abortion following *Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization*—the case that overturned *Roe v. Wade*. - BTA explained the protest as "mourning the loss of nearly 50 years of constitutional protections... On Sunday, January 22, we’ll raise our voices with thousands of people across the country for a feminist future where we end white supremacy and create a pro-Black, multiracial democracy where all can thrive." #RedPill *The far social-left is a Jewish construction. It was at the turn of the century with the Jewish Labor Bund, the unionization of New York, the NAACP; it was in the mid-century with the American Jewish Congress, ADL, JLC, JCPA, HIAS, etc.; it is today with groups like BTA, A Wider Bridge, Facing History and Ourselves, the ADL, etc.* #### Funding and Donors - BTA has consistent revenues of $4-7 million.[^3] - BTA's funding comes largely from a select few mega donors. *Ironic for an anti-capitalist 'eat the rich' type of organization.* - BTA donors include: - [[Nathan Cummings Foundation]] - [Major backer](https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/bend-the-arc#:~:text=%E2%80%9CNone%20of%20this,their%20senior%20staff.) - [[Jonathon Jacobson]]- Annual donations since 2021.[^10] - [[George Soros]]' [[Open Society Foundations]] - [Major backer](https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/bend-the-arc#:~:text=In%20supporting%20Bend%20the%20Arc%E2%80%99s%20political%20arm%20with%20a%20small%20portion%20of%20his%20fortune) #### Notable Figures ![[image-240.png|504x423]] *BTA's first and second CEOs Stosh Cotler (L) and Jamie Beran (R) at the White House, 2014.* - Stosh Cotler - CEO from 2014-2022. - Cotler has an incredibly strange and perverse background as a perennial protestor/activist in Portland and a lesbian stripper.[^4] - As a "dancer" (stripper) in Portland Oregon, Cotler met a Jewish "leather butch" who invited her to a Passover seder. - After "meeting freaky Jews at a sex club," and participating in Jewish ritual with them, Cotler returned to Judaism and her "proud identity as a Jew." - After moving from Portland to New York to work in organized Jewry, Cotler was sent to a Rockwood Leadership Institute nonprofit leadership retreat. - The elite ~six month retreat is [described](https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/bend-the-arc#:~:text=As%20an%20intensive,progressive%20Jewish%20ideals) in *Tablet* as: "An intensive exploration of how this network of Jewish leaders could all talk in a particular language with each other, lean on one another for help, take up a set of common rituals and practices, and all for the purposes to achieve their collective potential toward a shared vision of progressive Jewish ideals..." - The Rockwood Leadership Institute is described as "An inclusive, multi-racial organization, led by a woman of color and a diverse staff and board; having integrated a racial justice perspective into its approach and curriculum; serving diverse leaders, organizations and movements, and recognized as a leading force in training and development for social justice leaders."[^9] *The Rockwood Leadership Institute is [noted](https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/bend-the-arc#:~:text=Among%20the%20organizations,from%20Gass%20himself.) for its proximity to the Obama White House.* - Rabbi David Saperstein - BTA board member before being appointed by President Obama to the position of Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom.[^4] - Saperstein spent 40 years as director and counsel for the [[Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)]]'s [[Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC)]].[^20] - Simon Greer - Founder of the Jewish Funds for Justice (precursor to BTA), mentor of Stosh Cotler, and former CEO of the [[Nathan Cummings Foundation]].[^4][^8] - Greer is a typical petty Jewish [silver spoon revolutionary](https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/bend-the-arc#:~:text=But%20Greer%E2%80%99s%20father,with%20the%20group.). - Greer has been affiliated with [communist organizations](https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/bend-the-arc#:~:text=a%20Jewish%20communist%20summer%20camp), labor organizations, - Greer [is an underling](https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/bend-the-arc#:~:text=Greer%20explained%20to%20one%20reporter%20that%20he%E2%80%99d%20%E2%80%9Cspent%20a%20lot%20of%20time%20building%20a%20relationship%20with%20George%20Soros%2C%E2%80%9D%20adding%2C%20in%20the%20third%20person%2C%20that%20the%20%E2%80%9CSoros%20people%20think%20Simon%E2%80%99s%20totally%20reliable%2C%20easygoing%2C%20humble.%E2%80%9D) of [[George Soros]]. - Greer [went on to work for](https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/bend-the-arc#:~:text=The%20company%E2%80%94which%20was%20founded%20by%20a%20group%20of%20business%20leaders%20including%20Wendy%20Schmidt%2C%20the%20wife%20of%20former%20Google%20Chairman%20Eric%20Schmidt) "The Nantucket Project," a venture of former Google CEO [[Eric Schmidt]]'s ex-wife. - Jamie Beran -CEO since 2022.[^17] #### References [^1]: “Jewish Funds for Justice,” _Wikipedia_, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Funds_for_Justice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Funds_for_Justice). [^2]: Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, _Bend the Arc: Jewish Action_, [https://www.bendthearc.us/#:~:text=bend%20the%20arc-,Bend%20the%20Arc,-is%20building%20a](https://www.bendthearc.us/#:~:text=bend%20the%20arc-,Bend%20the%20Arc,-is%20building%20a). [^3]: ProPublica, “Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice,” _Nonprofit Explorer_, [https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/521332694](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/521332694). [^4]: Sean Cooper, “Bending the Jews,” _Tablet Magazine_, May 27, 2020, [https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/bend-the-arc](https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/bend-the-arc). [^5]: Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, “Protect Religious Freedom in Ohio: Oppose HB 486,” _Bend the Arc: Jewish Action_, [https://www.bendthearc.us/reject_hb486](https://www.bendthearc.us/reject_hb486). [^6]: Idealist.org, “Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice,” _Idealist.org_, [https://www.idealist.org/en/nonprofit/5304e7b5694a462e903094f4a8678579-bend-the-arc-a-jewish-partnership-for-justice-new-york](https://www.idealist.org/en/nonprofit/5304e7b5694a462e903094f4a8678579-bend-the-arc-a-jewish-partnership-for-justice-new-york). *Notes BTA locations.* [^7]: Jared Sichel, “Son of George Soros Launches Bend the Arc Jewish Action PAC…and It’s Not About Israel,” _Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles_, April 21, 2015, [https://jewishjournal.com/news/united-states/170634/](https://jewishjournal.com/news/united-states/170634/). [^8]: “Simon Greer,” _Wikipedia_, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Greer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Greer). [^9]: Robert Gass, _Transforming Organizations: A Guide to Creating Effective Social Change Organizations_ (Social Transformation Project, 2013), 8, [http://www.nhnusa.org/uploads/3/4/1/7/34173319/transforming-organizations-a-guide-to-creating-effective-social-change-organizations.pdf](http://www.nhnusa.org/uploads/3/4/1/7/34173319/transforming-organizations-a-guide-to-creating-effective-social-change-organizations.pdf). [^10]: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, _One8 Foundation — Full Filing (202533089349100108)_, [https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/46836735/202533089349100108/full](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/46836735/202533089349100108/full). *Grants listed under part XIV which begins on page 11 of the filing on ProPublica's site. BTA is near the top given the alphabetical order of listings.* [^11]: Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, “Bigger Than Roe National Day of Action,” _Bend the Arc: Jewish Action_, January 20, 2023, [https://www.bendthearc.us/bigger_than_roe](https://www.bendthearc.us/bigger_than_roe). [^12]: *Endorsment of Jamaal Bowman*, Bend the Arc: Jewish Action (@jewishaction) X, _April 11, 2024_, [https://x.com/jewishaction/status/1778525119733998043/photo/1](https://x.com/jewishaction/status/1778525119733998043/photo/1). [^13]: Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, “Endorsees,” _Bend the Arc: Jewish Action_, [https://www.bendthearc.us/endorsees#:~:text=Sarah%20McBride%20(DE%2DAL)](https://www.bendthearc.us/endorsees#:~:text=Sarah%20McBride%20\(DE%2DAL\)). [^14]: Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, “Nation’s Largest Domestic Focused Progressive Jewish Group Endorses Zohran Mamdani for New York City Mayor,” _Bend the Arc: Jewish Action_, September 26, 2025, [https://www.bendthearc.us/zohran_mamdani_endorsement](https://www.bendthearc.us/zohran_mamdani_endorsement). [^15]: Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, “The ADL just called for ‘de-escalation on all sides,’” _Bend the Arc: Jewish Action_, January 27, 2026, [https://www.bendthearc.us/the_adl_just_called_for_de_escalation_on_all_sides](https://www.bendthearc.us/the_adl_just_called_for_de_escalation_on_all_sides). [^16]: Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, “Jews Against ICE,” _Bend the Arc: Jewish Action_, [https://www.bendthearc.us/jews_against_ice](https://www.bendthearc.us/jews_against_ice). [^17]: Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, “Introducing Our Interim CEO, Jamie Beran,” _Bend the Arc: Jewish Action_, February 17, 2022, [https://www.bendthearc.us/introducing_our_interim_ceo](https://www.bendthearc.us/introducing_our_interim_ceo). [^18]: Rex Weiner, “Jews Unite Behind Push for Immigration Reform,” _Forward_, June 26, 2013, [http://forward.com/news/179296/jews-unite-behind-push-for-immigration-reform/](http://forward.com/news/179296/jews-unite-behind-push-for-immigration-reform/). [^19]: “Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013,” _Wikipedia_, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_Security,_Economic_Opportunity,_and_Immigration_Modernization_Act_of_2013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_Security,_Economic_Opportunity,_and_Immigration_Modernization_Act_of_2013). [^20]: Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, “Rabbi David Saperstein,” [https://rac.org/who-we-are/leadership-governance/rabbi-david-saperstein](https://rac.org/who-we-are/leadership-governance/rabbi-david-saperstein).