Clarion Project

OVERVIEW

The Clarion Project (formerly Clarion Fund Inc.) is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit founded by Rabbi Raphael Shore, an Israeli citizen based in Jerusalem and former executive director of Aish HaTorah International. The organization is best known for producing anti-Muslim propaganda films and mass-distributing them during US elections. The SPLC listed Clarion as an anti-Muslim hate group from 2016 to 2019.

KEY FIGURES

Rabbi Raphael Shore (Founder) — Filed the organization in Delaware using Aish HaTorah's New York City address. Incorporators included Shore and two others affiliated with Aish HaTorah International.

Richard Green — CEO (as of 2022).

Advisory Board: Frank Gaffney (Center for Security Policy), Walid Phares, Raheel Raza, Zuhdi Jasser.

FUNDING & FINANCES

Received $17.7 million from Donors Capital Fund in 2008, reportedly originating from Chicago industrialist Barre Seid, to fund the mass distribution of the "Obsession" DVD. Additional donors include Sheldon Adelson, Allen I. Gross Charitable Foundation ($100,000), and Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation ($50,000). Received over $2 million in grants between 2017-2019.

KEY ACTIVITIES

"Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West" (2005): Over 28 million copies distributed to homes in swing states before the 2008 presidential election via a $17 million campaign.

"The Third Jihad" (2008): Narrated by Zuhdi Jasser. The NYPD trained 1,498 officers using this film; Commissioner Ray Kelly later apologized, calling it "wacky" and "objectionable." The New York Times editorial board described it as a "hate-filled film" with "noxious and dangerous stereotyping."

Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE): Training program launched in 21 US cities, run by Raheel Raza and Shireen Qudosi.

NETWORK CONNECTIONS

• Aish HaTorah International — Organizational origins in Israeli religious-educational networks
• Center for Security Policy — Frank Gaffney on advisory board
• ACT for America — Distributed Clarion films at events
• Donors Capital Fund / Barre Seid — Major dark money funding source