Friends,

My name is Yaffa from Mercer Island, Washington. Today, I’m joining a number of other long-time supporters with an offer to match your grassroots donation.

Here’s why: For years, I felt politically homeless when it came to Israel.

As an Israeli-American, I hold a deep connection to Israel. I want it to realize its promise as a light among nations with a people safe and free. I’m still devastated by the horror of October 7.

At the same time, I deeply believe that Palestinians have an equal right to freedom and safety. The suffering they’ve endured – during this war and decades of occupation – must end.

I can’t relate to the Israel that Netanyahu and the far right are trying to shape. Bulldozing democratic protections, seeking a narrower, less pluralistic country, and settling and annexing Palestinian land. It’s a betrayal of the values I was raised to believe in.

I’m horrified by the suffering this government has wrought in Gaza, but also that their top priority hasn’t been to bring the hostages home after 14 months. I share the view of those in the streets calling for an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal.

I’m offering to match your donation today because it’s here – at J Street – that I've found my political home, a community willing to stand up for shared pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy values. Can you help us build a stronger, bigger movement with a matched contribution of $18, $36 or $90 or any other amount?

I’ve watched what’s happening in American politics, where pro-Israel groups take money from pro-Trump billionaires and spend it in Democratic primaries to silence criticism of Israeli policy.

I’m also seeing the climate on college campuses, where our children and grandchildren are caught between a rock and a hard place – unable to feel at home with “Israel-is-always-wrong” activists or the “Israel-is-always-right” propaganda of old-guard institutions.

J Street’s university arm, J Street U, offers them a vital middle ground – promoting sanity, reason and compassion when it’s needed most.

I’m offering to match your donation today because this work is more important than ever. Because J Street fights for my definition of pro-Israel – supporting a safe and secure future for Israelis and Palestinians alike, unafraid to call out those who threaten it.

So please, take us up on our offer to double your contribution today. Together, we are building the political home to give voice to our values and fight for a better future.

Friends: Make a matched contribution today >>

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Donate $18	Donate $36
Donate $54	Donate $90
Donate $180	Other

Amid the darkness this Chanukah, this community is the light – and we’re making a difference every day.

Thank you, sincerely, for your support,

Yaffa Maritz
Mercer Island, Washington

J Street is the political home for pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy Americans who want Israel to be secure, democratic and the national home of the Jewish people. Working in American politics and the Jewish community, we advocate policies that advance shared US and Israeli interests as well as Jewish and democratic values, leading to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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