We were thrilled to read in eJewish Philanthropy in March that Sacred Spaces had launched Keilim, a policy toolkit that guides Jewish organizations to develop policies and procedures that create safer, more respectful, and more equitable environments for those who work at or access the organization.

The Keilim toolkit is a work in progress consisting of six modules, of which three are available now and three are slated for release in Fall 2022:

1. Foundational Elements lay the groundwork for cultivating safer, more respectful, and more equitable environments for organizations' employees and stakeholders.
2. Prohibited Conduct identifies and defines the behaviors that are not accepted in organizations. These include discrimination, harassment, bullying, other abusive behaviors, and retaliation. By articulating what constitutes unacceptable behavior, organizations can become safer, more respectful, and more equitable communal spaces and workplaces.
3. Interaction Guidelines (this module is not yet available) will provide clear organizational norms and shared expectations for creating safe and respectful interactions among individuals who are involved with organizations.
4. Screening (this module is not yet available) will focus on developing screening policies and practices for organizations that incorporate safety, respect, and equity.
5. Organizational Response focuses on the systems and infrastructure needed to responsibly, morally, and fairly handle complaints of prohibited behaviors in a trauma-informed manner. A standardized grievance process contributes to safe and respectful organizational environments; it helps to ensure timely responses using established procedures that are applied equitably. 
6. Living Your Policy (this module is not yet available) will guide organizations to embed these policies within organizational cultures. It will focus on training, assessment, and policy review.

The three modules that are already available are detailed, thorough, practical, and action-oriented. A wide range of nonprofit leaders and talent managers will find them a valuable resource, and we eagerly await the completion of the other three modules when they are ready.