Friend,
Wow. What a week!
As J Streeters leave the Democratic National Convention fired up and ready to go, it’s clear we’re having a greater impact than ever.
The Vice President’s remarks on Israel-Palestine were perhaps the clearest articulation of J Street’s values from a presidential nominee – and received roaring applause.
An ironclad commitment to Israel’s security. Recognition of the depravity of October 7, including sexual violence. A commitment to ending the war and securing a hostage release deal.
AND a clear recognition of the devastating impact of the war in Gaza on civilians, as well as explicit recognition of Palestinian rights to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination.
I cannot tell you how many people came up to me in the hours after the convention to say that last night was the result of 15 years of hard work.
J Street helped shape the platform. We partnered with the Democratic National Committee and others for major events. And we’re now the largest grassroots Jewish fundraising organization behind the Harris-Walz ticket, having raised $3.5 million and counting.
In Chicago, we engaged directly with dozens and dozens of lawmakers, party strategists, journalists and policymakers.
Our message: The mainstream Jewish community is firmly behind Democrats this November – and we want to see a fresh, stronger focus on ending the suffering in Gaza, freeing the hostages and securing long-term freedom and safety for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
Some key takeaways:
- Hostage Family Speech: Two of the most powerful speakers of the week were the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year old American-Israeli held hostage by Hamas – you may remember Jon and Rachel from our webinar earlier this year.
- “There is a surplus of tragedy on all sides of the tragic conflict,” Jon Polin said courageously. “In a competition of pain, there are no winners.”
- The speech silenced the arena, brought many in the room to tears and led to a roaring, spontaneous chant of a message we all share: “Bring them home!”
- My Message to Democrats: Joining an official DNC panel with other Jewish Democratic leaders – as reported in the Times of Israel – I made the case that “it is the mainstream American Jewish position to feel that this government of Israel is out of step with our values and the ways in which we view the war.”
- I called on the party not to write off younger protesters, and heralded Kamala Harris’ empathy and commitment to “getting beyond a binary” approach.
- Key Quote: “This party’s ticket brings a balance that recognizes that we have to have rights and freedom and safety and security for both Israelis and Palestinians – that is what separates us from the Republican Party.”
- Peace Takes Courage: J Street’s marquee event gathered hundreds of J Streeters, party officials and Members of Congress (pictures above) and focused on the need for bold, courageous US leadership and a fresh approach to Israel-Palestine.
- Jonathan Dekel-Chen, father of hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen, spoke at the event, urging US leaders to keep up the pressure on both sides to urgently seal a deal.
- Prayer for Peace: J Street Rabbinic Cabinet member Rabbi Sharon Brous opened the second night of the convention alongside Imam Talib M. Shareef, telling the Forward she wore a hostage ribbon and an olive-branch pin.
- Key Quote: “This terrible war must end, all of the hostages must be brought home, and we must lay the foundation for a just peace and a thriving future for Israelis and Palestinians.”
- Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt – also of the J Street Rabbinic Cabinet – gave last night's closing benediction.
- Palestinian Voices: DNC speakers spoke with nuance and compassion of the intolerable suffering of Israelis and Palestinians – but a Palestinian voice was missing from the lineup.
- Our Take: Hosting the first ever Palestinian speaker at a national convention would have been a powerful way to underscore the shared goal of an immediate ceasefire and hostage deal, and the compassion the party feels for Palestinians and Israelis alike.
- We hope the Harris-Walz campaign finds every opportunity to demonstrate the depths of its care and empathy, and to clearly outline a fresh, robust approach to delivering peace, safety and freedom for all.
- Five Things Leaders Need to Know About Mainstream Jewish Voters: As the Harris campaign continues to develop its policy and messaging, I wrote a piece for the Times of Israel outlining J Street’s view as representatives of mainstream Jewish opinion:
- “This mainstream consensus is found in poll after poll showing a healthy majority of Jews who care about Israel, oppose Netanyahu, support Palestinian self-determination and want the US to exercise balanced, pro-peace leadership.” Read and share the full piece here.
- J Street Defends Harris, Explains US Jewish Opinion in Israel: With Israelis seeking to understand Kamala Harris, J Street Israel’s Executive Director Nadav Tamir has penned several pieces in the Jerusalem Post pushing back against right-wing attacks:
- In one piece, he blasts “a toxic, racist, and misogynistic narrative that has begun to flourish in the right-wing pro-Netanyahu camp in Israel since Kamala Harris was nominated Democratic Party candidate for the presidency of the United States.”
- In another, he explains that “American Jews have seen Israeli governments increasingly distance themselves from the liberal values they believe in” and we recoil from West Bank annexation and “efforts to thwart a two-state solution.”
- In Case You Missed It: Two things from Tuesday’s recap that are worth your time:
- J Street’s Director of Policy Dr. Debra Shushan penned a brilliant piece for the Jerusalem Strategic Tribune outlining what we can expect from a Harris-Walz presidency. Read and share it here.
- J Street was thrilled to partner with the Forward for a “Live from the DNC” behind-the-scenes broadcast with Editor-in-Chief Jodi Rudoren and pollster Jim Gerstein. Watch it here.
One last thing: I know that after a hugely successful, energizing and powerful Convention, many of us are excited to renew our support for candidates up and down the ballot.
I hope you’ll make JStreetPAC the home for your political giving. It’s the best way to amplify your impact, push back on the influence of right-wing mega-donors, and send a message about our shared values and priorities. Learn more here >>
Thank you, sincerely, for your ongoing support.
Jeremy Ben-Ami
President, J Street
