Media, Interviews and Institutional Briefings

Prepare for interviews using a message triangle, evidence packet and risk map.

Deliver a concise on-record quote without overclaiming.

Correct a false premise before bridging.

Prepare a one-page briefing memo for clergy, educators, campus leaders or civic institutions.

Write a professional correction request to a media outlet.

Review your Week 8 speaking assessment and Week 9 source packet.

Prepare a one-sentence answer to “What is ReJEWenate?” and a 15-second answer to your assigned topic.

Read the Academy Media Engagement rules.

Assume public unless ground rules are clear Media terminology can vary by jurisdiction and newsroom. Ambassadors should not casually disclose sensitive internal information believing it is “background.” If contacted by a journalist to speak for ReJEWenate, notify the media lead before agreeing where feasible. Clarify the topic, format, deadline, whether the interview is live or recorded, and the ground rules. When in doubt, behave as if your words can be quoted publicly.

The pre-interview preparation sheet Field What to prepare Purpose What is the journalist/institution actually trying to understand? Three messages No more than three supported points; one sentence each. Evidence Two or three strongest sources for each factual claim. Known vulnerabilities Likely counterarguments, contested facts, stale numbers, legal questions. Field What to prepare Do-not-speculate list Military operations, intelligence, hostage status, criminal allegations, private data, unverified breaking claims. Referral Who can answer legal, media, historical or specialist questions beyond your authorization?

The 15-second quote A broadcast quote normally carries one point. Use: position + one fact/standard + human close. Example: “ReJEWenate teaches advocates not to repeat claims they cannot verify. In a breaking event, being first is less important than being right, because one false post can destroy trust built over months.”

Correct the false premise first Question: “Since every Israel critic is labeled antisemitic by your program, how can anyone debate you?” Do not accept the premise and then bridge. Answer: “We do not teach that. Our manual explicitly says criticism of Israeli governments or policies is not automatically antisemitic. We classify statements by evidence and context. The larger point is that a definition must protect Jews from real hatred without shutting down legitimate political debate.”

Six difficult media questions — answer discipline Question Core answer discipline “Isn’t hasbara just propaganda?” Acknowledge the concern about organized advocacy; explain independence, source hierarchy, correction log and prohibition on fake identities/deception. Let method answer the label. “Do you support everything the Israeli government does?” No loyalty test. Distinguish support for Israel/Jewish dignity from judgment about a particular government policy. State the organization’s actual position only if approved. “Is anti-Zionism antisemitism?” Not automatically. Explain that anti-Zionism can be political/ideological; context can become antisemitic when it uses anti-Jewish tropes, collective blame or discriminatory hostility. “How many civilians have died?” Use the current evidence pack. Date and attribute figures; explain methodology/uncertainty. If you do not have a current verified figure, say so. “Are settlements illegal?” Legal question. Identify authoritative sources/positions and refer to specialist-reviewed material. Do not improvise a definitive legal opinion. “Can Bnei Anusim come to Israel under your program?” Explain education/referral pathway; do not promise conversion, recognition, aliyah, visa or citizenship outcomes. Those are determined by competent religious/legal authorities.

Institutional briefing memo Section Content Header Audience, date, topic, prepared by, review status. Purpose One sentence: why this audience needs the briefing. Three facts Each fact has a source and certainty label. Context Timeline or definitions needed to avoid misunderstanding. Likely questions Three to five objections/questions with concise responses. Red flags Legal, safety, privacy or fast-changing facts requiring escalation. Sources / follow-up Primary documents, independent corroboration and contact person.

Correction request template Template: Subject: Request for factual correction — [headline/date]. Thank you for covering [topic]. One statement appears factually inaccurate: “[brief paraphrase].” The primary source states [precise correction]. Source: [document/link]. We respectfully request that the online article and any related caption be corrected, with a correction note if appropriate. We are available to provide the underlying document or answer source questions. This request concerns factual accuracy, not disagreement with editorial opinion.

What should an ambassador assume if media ground rules have not been clearly agreed?

What is a false-premise question?

Why should the false premise be corrected before bridging?

How many central messages should normally be prepared for an interview?

Name two topics on the do-not-speculate list.

What should a correction request focus on?

How should current casualty figures be used in an interview?

Can a ReJEWenate ambassador promise Bnei Anusim immigration or conversion outcomes?

Assume the statement may be public/on the record and avoid sensitive disclosure until terms are clear.

A question that embeds a factual assertion that may be wrong or disputed.

Otherwise the answer can appear to accept an inaccurate claim as true.

Usually no more than three.

Examples: military operations, intelligence, hostage status, criminal allegations, private data, unverified breaking events.

A precise factual error, the supporting primary source and the requested factual correction; not threats or punishment for editorial opinion.

Date and attribute the figure, state what it measures and relevant uncertainty; use the current evidence pack rather than memory.

No. The ambassador explains pathways and referrals only.

Give a 15-second answer without losing a material qualification.

Correct a false premise politely.

Name when a reporter question requires referral.

Write a one-page memo that separates fact, context, risk and recommendation.

Trying to answer every question to appear authoritative.

Using media contact as permission to speculate.

Threatening journalists over factual disagreements.

Confusing organizational position with personal opinion.

ReJEWenate Manual v1.0: Media Engagement, Public Speaking Standard, Source Standards and Code of Conduct.

Reuters, Journalistic Standards / Handbook. handbook.reuters.com/