Common Era is an R&D platform exploring the edges of the spiritual experience for those imagining a more expansive Jewish future. It is made up of artists, entrepreneurs, activists, scientists and rabbis, all leading experiments to invent new Jewish realities.

Over 70% of American Jews claim that they don’t connect with mainstream Jewish life. From this tension, the Jim Joseph Foundation in San Francisco sought to fund experimental research around how to better understand what the next 500 years might hold for Jewish communities. Common Era is based in New Orleans and led by artist and community leader, Yonah Schiller, who connects cutting edge thinking with timeless Jewish wisdom. As Common Era was forming, he sought support in the positioning and storytelling for the new organization.

In 2022, 1504 developed a narrative strategy for the organization, outlining story and positioning opportunities for the coming years. In 2023, 1504 participated in a workshop with ReD & Associates on Belonging, conducting stakeholder interviews and documentation. Since then, 1504 has crafted messaging plans, produced films and photography for the board and website, and created case study materials of various experiments across the US.

Today, the Jim Joseph Foundation is supporting a diverse range of community engagement models. As our culture continues to wrestle with its spiritual underpinning, Common Era seeks to keep asking the right questions.