Friends,
As one of J Street’s Israeli-American staff, I was especially distressed by the IDF strike earlier this month that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza, and was deeply moved by Chef José Andrés' response.
“Israel is better than the way this war is being waged,” he wrote. “It’s time for the best of Israel to show up.”
I couldn’t agree more. That’s why this Passover, inspired by our friends at the New Israel Fund, I’ll be making a donation to support World Central Kitchen’s work – and we’re encouraging our supporters to consider doing the same.
The folks at World Central Kitchen are the best of humanity. After the horrific atrocities of October 7, they were there on the ground, delivering over 1.75 million nourishing meals to Israelis forced to flee their homes. Whose loved ones had been injured, killed or taken hostage.
And as a humanitarian crisis has engulfed Gaza – fueled by Hamas’ callous disregard for its own people and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s appalling policy of restricting humanitarian aid – World Central Kitchen has worked with local and international partners to deliver over 43 million meals in Gaza.
This Passover, as so many of us gather with loved ones and celebrate freedom and our Jewish values, we’re encouraging all J Streeters to make a contribution of $18, $36 or $90, or any other amount, to World Central Kitchen.
Friend: Let’s show WCK that our community is ready to show up. Make a Passover contribution to World Central Kitchen >>
As staff at World Central Kitchen work out how to safely resume operations in Gaza, and as they continue to serve millions in conflict areas and disaster zones around the world, I could think of no better way of marking the Jewish values we celebrate this Passover.
At J Street, we’re continuing our long-running focus on addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ensuring that humanitarian groups like World Central Kitchen can do their work and do it safely.
We’re making clear that Netanyahu’s stated policy of restricting aid is a painful violation of our Jewish values, that we can never accept aid being used as a weapon of war, and that more must be done to protect civilians, hostages and aid workers.
We’re allying with Israeli groups to make the case that the current path is neither in Israel’s moral nor strategic interests, and pressing the Biden Administration to go further and move faster to pressure the Netanyahu government to change course.
We also know that the only way to end the suffering for families in Gaza and the families of hostages is to broker an immediate ceasefire that ends the fighting, gets hostages out and allows aid to reach people who need it most. That the only way to defeat terror groups like Hamas is to offer a real, peaceful path toward safety, self-determination and freedom for all.
Friend, on behalf of everyone at J Street, I wish you and your loved ones a safe and meaningful Passover. I hope you will consider a donation to our friends at World Central Kitchen today, and perhaps forward this email to others who may be interested in contributing.
Together, let’s show up for the best of humanity.
Make a contribution of $18, $36 or $90 – or any other amount – through our community’s exclusive donation link here >>
Chag Sameach,
Adina Vogel Ayalon
Vice President and Chief of Staff, J Street
