Heidi Basch-Harod
Educator, Speaker and Activist

A) What qualities make the nominee deserving of the Z3 Bridge Builder Award?

Heidi’s family lineage is a tapestry of trauma and resilience, woven from two distinct yet intertwined stories. On one side, her ancestors were Sicilian fishermen and shepherds who fled poverty and the mafia. On the other, her grandparents were farmers and Holocaust survivors from the Carpathian foothills. Both sets of grandparents made the difficult journey across the Atlantic to the United States in the 1940s and 1950s with nothing but hope. Her Holocaust-survivor grandparents not only faced the challenge of rebuilding their lives, but also struggled to reclaim their sense of dignity and worth. This rich, complex heritage shapes Heidi's approach to every person she meets and fuels her unwavering commitment to advocating for the dignity and safety of the Jewish community.

At UC Berkeley, she was drawn to women’s causes, and her master’s degree in Middle Eastern and African History, earned at Tel Aviv University, deepened her education and passion for women’s rights in the region. She recognized how much the world stands to gain if and when women are treated equally and are afforded the same opportunities as men. As the Executive Director of Women’s Voices Now, a non-profit organization dedicated to using film to promote global social change and advance girls’ and women’s rights, she continues to champion these causes with passion and dedication.

Heidi is a dynamic speaker and a natural connector. This past year has been the year of “yes” and she has committed to so many speaking engagements and beyond, which is no small feat when you have 3 young kids and run a non-profit. For example, she helped behind the scenes and subsequently served on the panel after the LA screening of Screams Before Silence. She is a powerful representative of the Jewish community, approaching tough conversations with integrity and respect rather than opting for symbolic gestures that lack impact. She played a pivotal role in establishing the South Bay Jewish Advisory Group, which includes eight local synagogues across a spectrum of affiliations, as well as organizations like ADL, Stand With Us, Hadassah, the American Jewish Committee, the Holocaust Museum of LA, the Jewish Federation, and 360 Perspectives, where she serves on the board.

When a local high school student posted an egregious yearbook page titled “whose land is it anyways?,” Heidi meticulously crafted a 16-page rebuttal, (included as supporting documentation), addressing each point and highlighting factual inaccuracies and instances of antisemitism. As a natural teacher, she views such challenges as opportunities for meaningful education, even when they are mentally taxing.
She demonstrates unwavering commitment to the community through her readiness to collaborate with school leaders and broader community members to ensure the safety of Jewish students. Her dedication extends to the Jewish community at large, where she actively contributes through her writings in numerous publications (as detailed in the supporting documents) and by participating in panels and conferences across the country. Her consistent presence and engagement underscore her deep commitment to advocating for and protecting the Jewish community.

B) In what ways has the nominee demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to their work in bridging divides?

Heidi actively engages in various interfaith initiatives, building relationships through both her non-profit work and her genuine curiosity about different perspectives. Her approach is rooted in empathy and active listening, yet she remains steadfast in addressing any concerns or discomforts that arise during conversations, rather than avoiding them for the sake of harmony.

Over the past year, Heidi forged a meaningful partnership with Nada, her “Palestinian thought partner,” to facilitate challenging dialogues and deepen mutual understanding. Together, they co-authored an article and created a documentary titled “Daughters of Abraham.” This film has now been selected to be in five international film festivals and won in two of them. (Link to film included in supporting document). They also participated in the PBS series "Dialogue for Change: Post October 7th," reflecting their commitment to fostering nuanced and respectful conversations across diverse viewpoints. (Both can be found in the supporting documents). She is an active participant with Empower Women Media that aims to promote gender equality, peace building, and religious freedom through diverse representation. She sits on panels in person and virtually that include audiences in multiple countries with the aim of pushing through the echo chambers.

Outside of division within people of different faiths, there are also divisions within the Jewish community. While we all share a common goal of combating antisemitism, our definitions of what constitutes antisemitism and our strategies for addressing it in schools and communities can vary widely. Heidi's role as co-founder of South Bay Jewish Advisory Group highlights her remarkable talent as a bridge builder. She united the diverse South Bay Jewish community—rabbis from all denominations and Jewish institutions, both large and small, each with distinct missions and perspectives—around a common table for collaboration. While differences persist, her leadership has fostered a shared commitment to work together in safeguarding the Jewish community. Convening Jewish leaders from a broad range of denominations and institutions requires a particular skill set and personality. Heidi facilitates these conversations effectively and productively, ensuring that diverse perspectives are heard and integrated into meaningful action.

She also brings her experience in international human rights advocacy from her work with Tibetan Nuns Project, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the U.S. Congress, and the Palestine-Israel Journal. She has served international women-focused film festivals, including the Herat Women's International Film Festival and the Porto Femme Film Festival. In 2021, Heidi received a Daytime Emmy as a producer of the Girls’ Voices Now series in collaboration with Here Media.

For over 10 years, Heidi has worked with young people ages 12 to 24, teaching empowerment workshops through Women’s Voices Now and its Girls’ Voices Now program. She is a Holocaust educator who works with the Jewish community and is regularly invited to speak at public middle and high schools throughout Los Angeles to teach about antisemitism, other forms of hate, racism and bigotry, and the power of film to make social change.

While she is a natural educator, she is also a natural student. She is constantly growing her skills and knowledge and her commitment to growth is evident. Since 2023, she has been a trained Conscious Ambassador of trauma-informed care. Recognizing the pervasive issue of disinformation/misinformation online, she was invited by the Journalist and Writers Foundation to give a workshop to aspiring journalists from 28 countries on the distinctions between activist journalism and traditional journalism, emphasizing moral ethics and transparency of intent. She is committed to combating antisemitism from all angles and spaces.

Although she is well-connected in various circles, her focus is always on the work, not the recognition—which is exactly why I want to elevate her voice. Her approach to combating antisemitism and supporting the Jewish community, along with other marginalized groups, is both comprehensive and multifaceted. I believe her voice deserves broader recognition and amplification.

C) How has the nominee's work impacted the Jewish community and beyond?

In conclusion, I’d like to reiterate the profound impact of Heidi’s work on both the Jewish community and beyond by fostering unity, understanding, and collaboration across diverse groups. Her leadership within the South Bay Jewish Advisory Group has built a collaborative space where the focus remains on safeguarding and strengthening the Jewish community. By uniting our community, she has ensured a unified approach to addressing antisemitism and ensuring the safety and dignity of Jewish students and community members.
Her efforts extend far beyond the Jewish community. Through her international advocacy work and partnerships, like her collaboration with her Palestinian thought partner, Nada, Heidi has created platforms for difficult, but necessary, conversations across religious and cultural divides. Their film, Daughters of Abraham, has been featured in international film festivals, offering a model for how empathy and dialogue can bridge seemingly insurmountable gaps. She continues to push boundaries through panels and initiatives that bring together people of different faiths to foster mutual respect and understanding.
Her advocacy for women’s rights, both globally and locally, further amplifies her impact. As Executive Director of Women’s Voices Now, she uses film to promote social change and champion the rights of women and girls. Through educational workshops and public speaking engagements, Heidi works to empower the next generation, teaching young people about the dangers of hate, bigotry, and misinformation. Her holistic approach, addressing antisemitism from multiple angles and contexts, shows her deep commitment to ensuring the well-being of marginalized groups, and her work continues to ripple outward, inspiring greater unity across diverse communities.
Heidi’s work exemplifies the essence of the Z3 Bridge Builder Award, as she bridges divides within the Jewish community and beyond, fostering meaningful dialogue and creating lasting change.