As pointed out in your recent editorial, the Heritage Foundation and its president, Kevin Roberts, have lost all credibility when it comes to antisemitism. The Foundation’s 920-page Project 2025 document, now being used as a playbook by the Trump administration, is silent as to antisemitism. Subsequently, a group within the Foundation rolled out Project Esther: A National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism.
However, Project Esther has faced significant criticism from civil liberties organizations, progressive groups and many Jewish groups that have decided to not take part in the project. Few, if any, mainstream Jewish organizations endorsed or participated in its drafting; the task force was predominantly composed of Evangelical Christians and conservative organizations. The document almost entirely ignores the issue of white supremacist, Christian Nationalist antisemitism, focusing exclusively on the “left wing.”
Unfortunately, many of the actions outlined in Project Esther have been implemented by the Trump administration, including crackdowns on peaceful campus protests, limits on free speech and academic freedom, and detention of international students. Many Jewish groups rightfully criticize these actions as a smokescreen to advance a broader conservative agenda to erode civil rights protections that ultimately keep Jews safe.
Queen Esther would not be pleased to have her name linked to this misguided project.
Beryl Rosenstein, Pikesville
