With Passover, the Festival of Freedom, just days away, we know that this Pesach is different from any that that we as Jews have experienced in a very long time; there are so many Israeli families whose loved ones are still hostage in Gaza, waiting to regain their freedom. Many others have lost their sons, daughters, parents, and grandparents in recent months.

We will keep all of them in our hearts and encourage you to add this poem to your Seder:

Here at Ameinu, we have been busy this winter, working to fight antisemitism in our communities, colleges, and universities, speaking in the language of the left, providing you with updates and educational materials from Israel, and, as always, engaging with the American and international Jewish communal world with a strong voice that expresses YOUR progressive, zionist and humanitarian views. 

Much of our leadership has spent significant time in Israel representing our vision of what Zionism should be in missions and forums, meetings with old partners, and finding new friends to strengthen relationships and create future projects. Our presence made a difference in our questions asked at the Conference of Presidents, and resolutions passed by the General Council of the World Zionist Organization. As the largest developer of affordable housing for senior citizens, including Holocaust survivors, the Jewish Agency Board of Governors adopted a plan to upgrade buildings by building bomb shelters as quickly as possible. Meeting with leaders of Brit Etz, the World Labour Zionist Movement, including South America and Europe, we learned about their challenges this past year. We discussed exciting programming and more cooperation for the year to come. Our visits included difficult trips to kibbutzim and communities in the Gaza envelope, the site of the Nova festival, visits with hostage families and walking through silence in Hostages Square, and a visit to the village of Al-Walaja. Many of you may remember that we introduced you to this village and its plight through programming and a fundraising campaign last year. Houses were demolished initially because the Israeli authorities refused to design and approve a zoning plan for the village, and these houses were deemed illegal. With our help, a zoning plan was created, but it has not yet been approved. Thus, with fifty percent of buildings still "illegal," demolition crews continue to show up, giving families less than thirty minutes to vacate their homes. 

All Israelis, left or right, religious or secular, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, or Druze, are sharing in trauma, grief, and fear. Some people need to discuss it and share their experiences with us; others are too afraid, and some still cannot fully process their emotions.

Ken and Nomi with Yair Golan, who is running for leadership of the Labour Party next month

Ken, Nomi and Ameinu Canada Chair David Berson with Labour MK Naama Lazimi and the leadership of Brit Etz.

Walking through the chadar-ochel (dining hall) on Kibbutz Nir Oz

The home of our beloved friend and colleague Vivian Silver z"l who was murdered in

Kibbutz Beeri

Excitement is building as we work towards the merger with Americans for Peace Now. Several of us joined the APN Israel mission in early March. As we traveled and learned more from speakers around the country, we also learned more about our shared values and commitment to Israel and building a better future for Israelis and Palestinians.

It is this synergy that will enable us to expand our reach and influence in the years to come. We look forward to working together in the Jewish communal arena, in the political halls of Washington, and in fighting for a more democratic Israel that protects the rights of all of its citizens and, of course, for peace.  

Ken, Nomi, Board Member Judy Gelman with Ameinu board member and APN President Hadar Suskind with President Isaac "Bougie" Herzog on the APN mission.

Below is an update highlighting some of our recent programming and activities. We are grateful for your generosity, and we hope we can continue to count on you for your support during these challenging times. Please donate here.

Wishing you all a delicious and meaningful Pesach and may it be filled with peace.

Ameinu leadership, staff and the board

Have You Checked Out The Third Narrative Recently?

The Third Narrative Initiative is gaining momentum! More and more people pursuing peace and justice for both Israelis and Palestinians are clicking on this valuable and constantly updated resource.

THE MOST RECENT ARTICLE:

Why don’t more Israelis want humanitarian aid for Gazans?

By Dan Fleshler

While polls show widespread resistance to aid that will help hungry and homeless Gazans, there is an Israeli constituency that wants to help.

Click to read full article

TTN weighs the claims and counter-claims in this existential debate. These are just two of the tough questions answered:

Visit the Third Narrative website for more tough questions and many other thought-provoking articles and materials.

February Highlight: The Shema Project

Ameinu sponsored a webinar with Zachary Schaffer, a co-founder and Vice President for Community Engagement of Project Shema, which "trains and supports the Jewish community and allies to understand and address contemporary antisemitism, with an emphasis on how anti-Jewish ideas can emerge in the discourse around Israel and Palestine."

Project Shema has become an essential partner in our work on antisemitism. During the webinar, Zach explained that we need to approach antisemitism as a social justice issue involving threats against Jews as individuals and as a people, especially during this time when such threats are on the rise. A compelling aspect of this approach is to identify Jews correctly as a "people" and not simply as adherents of a religion that many Jews do not practice or particularly identify with.

Click here to learn more.

Join Us for Yom Haatzmaut on Zoom

We are proud to join our Progressive Israel Network partners in this great event. It will feature Israeli activists Ami Dror and Shir Nosatzki, Rabbi Andrea London, and Israeli-born singer Danny Maseng.

SAVE THE DATE - CELEBRATE ISRAEL PARADE 2024

After last year's huge success, with Ameinu's delegation being the biggest one in the parade, we will once again march down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, demonstrating our strong support and unbreakable bond with the people and the state of Israel! Please mark your calendars - SUNDAY, JUNE 2ND 2024.  Stay tuned for further information and registration.

Support The Center for Psychological Services Sha’ar Hanegev

The Sha’ar Hanegev Center for Psychological Services was established 55 years ago. It provides psychological help to residents of the Northern Negev and the surrounding communities*, including many of the kibbutzim and moshavim that suffered an unimaginable loss during the October terror attacks.

Most residents still have not returned to their homes and are staying in hotels and temporary housing far from their communities. As part of their continued trauma filled with pain, and fear helplessness, they continue to face disruption to their routine, and lack of organized employment, and educational framework for their children.

This Passover, please consider adding a second gift to your Ameinu donation by supporting this mental life line at the Sha’ar Hanegev Center for Psychological Services. You can pay for individual sessions or any amount you like. Your generosity is appreciated!

CLICK HERE TO TO SUPPORT THE CENTER FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES SHA'AR HANEGEV

*The Shaar Hanegev regional council includes the Kibbutzim and Moshavim: Bror Hayil, Dorot, Erez, Gevim, Kfar Aza, Mefalsim, Nahal Oz, Nir Am, Or HaNer, Ruhama and Yakhini.

Ameinu Our People | 17 State St. Suite 4000, New York, NY 10004 | ameinu.net | 212-366-1194

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