Seminar — Exploring Jewish Conscientious Objection: Past, Present and Future

The Jewish CO Project held its first major event, a hybrid seminar entitled “Exploring Jewish Conscientious Objection: Past, Present and Future” on August 10, 2025.

But if you missed it, have no fear as we recordeded it, which you can watch below.

Also, here are some additional materials and resources for this seminar:

There is no charge for this seminar, but donations to the Jewish CO project would be greatly appreciated so we can create more events like this.

Who is this program intended for:

  1. Jewish professionals seeking to understand Jewish conscientious objection to war, and how to discuss the topic with their communities effectively.
  2. Jewish lay people who want to learn more about the history and current relevance of Jewish Conscientious Objection to war in both the United States and Israel.
  3. Peace activists from all backgrounds who want to gain a deeper understanding of the Jewish perspective on conscientious objection.
  4. Teenagers and young adults who are concerned about a possible draft in the United States.
  5. Anyone curious about the history, theology, political theory, and practice of Jewish conscientious objection to war.

Speaker Bio:

portrait of James M. BranumJames M. Branum  is a defense attorney who has practiced in the area of military law since 2006. He has represented clients in every branch of the US military (except the Space Force) including in court-martial defense, conscientious objector hearings, administrative separation boards, as well as in advising clients regarding their free speech rights.

He is a proud convert to Judaism and today serves as one of the lay leaders of the online-only Spinoza Havurah, as well as an interfaith officiant through the Oklahoma Objector Community.

He is a graduate of Darshan Yeshiva, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Oklahoma City University School of Law, and the Institute for Christian Studies. He also will soon be graduating with a certificate in “unbound Judaism” from the Unyeshiva (in fact, this seminar is his capstone project for the program)

He previously served as the editor of Humanistic Judaism magazine from 2021-2024, and was the minister of Peace & Justice at Joy Mennonite Church for more than a decade.