Bend the Arc is the largest progressive Jewish advocacy org in the U.S. Funded by Spielberg's Righteous Persons Foundation ($1.2M), chaired by Alex Soros. Led the Khalil ICE defense campaign, endorsed Mamdani for NYC mayor, organized Jews Against ICE with 400+ rabbis.
Spielberg Foundation Investigation Series:
- Part 1: Where Schindler's List Money Went
- Part 2 (MAIN): Spielberg's Foundation Funds Jews for Mamdani
- Part 3: Bend the Arc's Money Map
- Part 4: The Other Spielberg Foundation: Hearthland
- Entity Pages: RPF | Bend the Arc (this piece) | T'ruah | JUFJ
Bend the Arc: At a Glance
| Organization | Bend the Arc: Jewish Action |
| Founded | 1999 as Progressive Jewish Alliance; rebranded 2012, 2020 |
| 501(c)(3) CEO | Jamie Beran |
| 501(c)(4) Chairman | Alex Soros — son of George Soros; heads Soros family philanthropic agenda |
| Position | Largest domestic progressive Jewish advocacy org in the U.S. |
| IHRA stance | Opposes IHRA definition of antisemitism; co-signed April 2025 letter |
| Key political action | First-ever mayoral endorsement: Zohran Mamdani (Sept 2025); elected Nov 2025 |
| Key campaign | "Jews Against ICE" — 400+ rabbis, 60+ orgs, Feb 2026 at ICE HQ |
| (c)(3) → (c)(4) transfers | $2M (FY2023); $1M (FY2024) |
| PAC (FEC C00573253) | $42,860 raised (2025–26 cycle) |
Bend the Arc funding sources (2020–2024)
| Funder | Amount | Stated purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Spielberg's Righteous Persons Foundation | $1,200,000 | Core organizational support |
| Open Society Foundations (George Soros) | $1,033,500 | "Combat antisemitism and build solidarity" ($500K); FCYO ($93.5K); antisemitism ($440K) |
| Alexander Soros Foundation | $250,000+ | Direct grants |
| Ford Foundation | $10,500,000+ | Core support since 2009; $600K for YO-CARE climate (Oct 2024) |
| Soros family total | $1,283,500+ | Funding + operational control (Alex Soros = 501(c)(4) chair) |
Sources: IRS Form 990-PF filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer; Open Society Foundations grants database; Ford Foundation grants database.
Key actions timeline
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Sept 26, 2025 | First-ever mayoral endorsement: Zohran Mamdani (via 501(c)(4), chaired by Alex Soros) |
| Nov 4, 2025 | Mamdani elected Mayor of NYC |
| Jan 5, 2026 | Spielberg hosts Mamdani at Central Park West apartment |
| Feb 11, 2026 | "Jews Against ICE" protest at ICE HQ — 400+ rabbis, 60+ orgs (co-organized with T'ruah) |
| Mar 2025 | Khalil rapid-response campaign — 5,000 signatures within days of ICE arrest |
| Mar 2026 | Sarsour campaign — "Jews Demand: Release Salah Sarsour" |
| Apr 2025 | Co-signed letter opposing Antisemitism Awareness Act (IHRA codification) |
| May 2026 | NYC action: 10 rabbis arrested outside ICE HQ; national day of action across 17 cities |
Detainee defense campaigns
| Detainee | Institution | Arrested | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahmoud Khalil | Columbia University | Mar 8, 2025 | 104 days detained; released June 20, 2025 (1st Amend. violation); deported Sept 2025 order pending appeal |
| Badar Khan Suri | Georgetown University | Mar 2025 | Released May 2025 (1st & 5th Amend. violation found) |
| Rümeysa Öztürk | Tufts University | Mar 2025 | Released after federal judge order; detained while walking to Iftar dinner |
| Salah Sarsour | Islamic Society of Milwaukee | Mar 30, 2026 | Bend the Arc launched dedicated petition; 12 ICE agents involved |
Bend the Arc is the largest domestic-focused progressive Jewish advocacy organization in the United States, with a documented track record of organizing Jewish voters for pro-Palestinian political outcomes, most notably the 2025 election of Zohran Mamdani as Mayor of New York City. Funded by Steven Spielberg's Righteous Persons Foundation ($1.2 million) and operationally controlled by Alex Soros as chairman of its 501(c)(4) political arm, the organization has become the lead Jewish institutional voice defending Palestinian activists detained by ICE.
THE KHALIL CAMPAIGN: MARCH 2025 — PRESENT
ICE arrested Mahmoud Khalil — Algerian citizen born in Syria to Palestinian parents, Columbia SIPA student, green card holder — at his apartment in New York on March 8, 2025. His wife was eight months pregnant. Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally invoked Section 237(a)(4)(C) of the INA. Khalil was transferred to detention in Jena, Louisiana — nearly 1,300 miles from his family.
Within days, Bend the Arc launched: rapid-response petition ("American Jews Demand ICE Release Mahmoud Khalil Now," ~5,000 signatures), CEO Jamie Beran press conference (Haaretz, CBS, JTA, Newsweek coverage), and Haaretz op-ed coining the "smokescreen antisemitism" framework.
Khalil remained detained 104 days. His son was born April 21, 2025 — ICE denied his release request. Released June 20, 2025 after federal judge found First Amendment violation. Deportation order issued September 17, 2025; case pending appeal.
JEWS AGAINST ICE — FEBRUARY 2026
On February 11, 2026, Bend the Arc and T'ruah co-organized the "Jews Against ICE" protest at ICE HQ in Washington: 400+ rabbis, cantors, and lay leaders; 60+ co-sponsoring organizations including HIAS, J Street, IfNotNow, and Adas Israel. Described as the "largest ever gathering of Jewish clergy protesting ICE." In May 2026, 10 rabbis arrested at NYC ICE HQ; 17-city national day of action, 70 co-sponsoring organizations.
"SMOKESCREEN ANTISEMITISM" FRAMEWORK
Bend the Arc's central analytical frame: the assertion that the Trump administration weaponizes claims of fighting antisemitism to pursue an authoritarian immigration agenda unrelated to Jewish safety. The organization that received $500,000 from Open Society Foundations to "combat antisemitism" now campaigns against the IHRA definition adopted by 40+ governments.
OPERATIONAL STRUCTURE: HOW THE MONEY FLOWS
501(c)(3) transfers to 501(c)(4): $2M (FY2023), $1M (FY2024). This allows Spielberg foundation grants to the 501(c)(3) to flow into political operations via the Soros-chaired 501(c)(4). Funders' Collaborative on Youth Organizing (FCYO), managed by Bend the Arc, aggregates $35M in grants from Ford, Surdna, and Hill-Snowdon.
2025 NYC MAYORAL ENDORSEMENT
September 26, 2025: First-ever mayoral endorsement — Zohran Mamdani, via the Alex Soros-chaired 501(c)(4). November 4, 2025: Mamdani elected. Bend the Arc claimed credit: "We helped shape this monumental victory with our air game and ground game." January 5, 2026: Spielberg hosted Mamdani at Central Park West.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Bend the Arc?
The largest domestic progressive Jewish advocacy organization in the U.S. 501(c)(3) headed by CEO Jamie Beran; 501(c)(4) political arm chaired by Alex Soros. Funded by Spielberg ($1.2M), Soros ($1.28M+), Ford ($10.5M+). Opposes IHRA definition of antisemitism. Endorsed and helped elect Zohran Mamdani as NYC mayor (2025).
Did Spielberg and Soros fund Mamdani?
No direct campaign contributions. But Spielberg gave $1.2M to Bend the Arc; Soros family gave $1.28M+ and Alex Soros chairs the 501(c)(4) that made the endorsement and ran the campaign operations.
What is "smokescreen antisemitism"?
Bend the Arc's framework claiming the Trump administration uses antisemitism as cover to suppress Palestinian advocacy and immigration enforcement. Coined by CEO Jamie Beran.
How does money flow from 501(c)(3) to 501(c)(4)?
$2M transferred FY2023, $1M FY2024. Spielberg's grants enter the 501(c)(3); the 501(c)(3) transfers to the Soros-chaired 501(c)(4) for political operations.
Last reviewed: August 2026.
