Every year at this time you receive an email describing Ameinu’s activities and achievements during the last 12 months and telling you why your continued support is essential.
But this is a year like no other. The horrific October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks on southern Israel have profoundly and permanently impacted Jews in Israel and around the world. The murder of 1,200 souls, the kidnapping of more than 200 Israelis and foreign nationals, and Israel’s subsequent war in Gaza have unleashed forces of hatred and intolerance and have caused many of us to
re-evaluate our closely held beliefs.
As liberal Zionists, it has been particularly distressing to hear so-called progressives dismissing atrocities perpetrated against innocent Israeli civilians and negating the legitimate aspirations of Jewish statehood.
For Ameinu, the events of that awful Shabbat and their aftermath have made us more certain than ever that we must continue to fight for a better future for Israel – a future of peace, security and democracy.
For the past two months, Ameinu has focused on both holding meaningful briefings for our members and on what we can do to help the people of Israel. We have provided financial help to organizations on the ground and are working closely with our American and international allies to raise awareness of the plight of the hostages in Gaza.
Through our partnership with Rozana USA, Ameinu has sent significant funds to front-line Israeli hospitals. We have also supported joint Israeli-Palestinian medical programs to address dire humanitarian needs of Palestinian patients, build health care capacity in the Palestinian territories and create person-to-person connections to build bridges of trust, which are especially important now.
Here in North America, Jews are not only concerned about our families and friends in Israel, but have also been forced to confront an alarming rise of antisemitism, at times under the guise of anti-Zionism. On campuses, on the streets, and online, the war in Gaza impacts us all. Ameinu has continued to bring a progressive Zionist viewpoint to the mainstream Jewish community, as well as to students and faculty on college campuses across the United States. Through The Third Narrative initiative, our effort is being broadened to address this challenge.
This year you are doubtlessly receiving solicitations from many worthy Jewish and pro-Israel organizations. Your support is what makes Ameinu’s work possible. It enables us to tackle the new challenges we’re currently facing while we continue to be the progressive voice within organized Jewish institutions including the Conference of Presidents and the American Zionist Movement.
