Total Credits: 4 APA
Tags: Diversity Implicit Bias
This 4-hour CE program will help participants build cultural competency by exploring the complex history of antisemitism as a systemic bigotry and the pattern of anti-Jewish harm over thousands of years. The need for this program arose with concerns raised by many members of the Jewish constituency of IPA.
With a better understanding of historic anti-Jewish themes and how Jews experience harm, participants will gain a better understanding of the lived experiences, psychological trauma, and concerns of the Jewish people and how we can nurture compassion, empathy, and better support our Jewish patients, colleagues, and neighbors.
The program is designed to meet the 3-hour CE requirement on Diversity for Illinois Psychologists and the new 1-hour CE requirement on Cultural Competency training. The program is both didactic and interactive and will be presented virtually.
Contents
The theme that ties all of Sophia’s work together is “bringing people together across difference in order to transform difficult challenges,” a subject she explores in her TEDx entitled “Learning to Take the Leap of Faith.”
Currently, Professor McGee works in the Central Office of Student Affairs at the City University of New York, where she is the Director of Student Engagement and Dialogue for the 25 CUNY Campuses. Sophia is a founding member of the Center for Ethnic, Racial and Religious Understanding (CERRU) at Queens College, CUNY. Ms. McGee became Director of CERRU in 2016 and was honored to be able to lead the organization into its second decade before departing to CUNY Central.
McGee is also an adjunct lecturer in the History Department at Queens College. She teaches several courses about the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict that are part of the “America and the Middle East: Clash of Civilizations or Meeting of Minds” series originated by Professor Mark Rosenblum.
Sophia holds a BFA in Acting from Carnegie Mellon University, and an MFA in International Affairs from the Graduate Program in International Affairs at the New School University. Her concentration was Conflict and Security, and her regional area of specialization was the Middle East with a focus on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
Michael Davis brings over 20 years of experience as an educator, including 15 years as a Hebrew school teacher and 13 years in early childhood education. With a degree in Psychology focused on child development from SUNY Empire State University, Michael has dedicated their career to fostering inclusive learning environments for diverse communities. Over the past five years, they have expanded their impact by co-facilitating Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) trainings, as well as sessions for religious schools, nonprofits, and Jewish camps across the United States. Michael also serves on the North American Board of the Union for Reform Judaism, contributing to initiatives that create more inclusive spaces within Jewish communities.
Michael’s approach to facilitation is rooted in empathy, storytelling, and collaboration. Passionate about bridging divides and uplifting marginalized voices, he is committed to creating spaces where individuals feel seen, heard, and inspired to take action. An advocate and educator, Michael believes in the transformative power of education to build stronger, more inclusive communities.
Continuing Education Credits
Jewish Identity and Antisemitism is sponsored by: The Illinois Psychological Association. The Illinois Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Illinois Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Four continuing education credits for psychologists will be awarded.
Continuing Education Grievance Policy
The Illinois Psychological Association (IPA) is fully committed to conducting all activities in strict conformance with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists. The IPA will comply with all legal and ethical guidelines for non-discrimination in promotional activities, program content and in the treatment of CE participants.
While the IPA strives to assure fair treatment for all participants and to anticipate problems before they occur, occasionally grievances may be filed. In cases where a participant files a written or oral grievance, the following action will be taken:
If the grievance concerns the content of the workshop, an IPA representative will mediate and will be the final arbitrator.
Direct correspondence to:
Illinois Psychological Association
67 East Madison Street Suite 1904
Chicago, Illinois 60603
sogrady@illinoispsychology.org
Location
This workshop is being held as a live webinar only. Participants will be on camera during small group discussions.
Registration
The Illinois Psychological Association is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in continuing education activities. Presenters and attendees are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality during and after the program. Additionally, if a participant has special needs, she/he should contact Dr. Susan O’Grady by July 11, 2025 to discuss what accommodations can be provided. All questions, concerns, or complaints should be directed to Dr. Susan O’Grady 312-372-7610 x203.
There is no commercial support for this program, nor are there any relationships between the CE sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.
During this CE workshop, participants will: