Book Talk: In My Jewish State with Dr. Elana Sztokman
Wednesday, February 12th, at 1:00pm ET

Please join us on Wednesday, February 12th, at 1:00pm ET, for a special conversation with Dr. Elana Sztokman about her new book, In My Jewish State. In this book, Dr. Sztokman uses her professional skills of rhetorical analysis cultivated from years of anthropological research, and unpacks the language and ideas that drive the pro-Israel advocacy movement and are used to justify cruel actions and attitudes. In the process, she makes some drastic personal changes, shifts her own Jewish identity, and advocates for a different vision of what it means to live in a Jewish state. Dr. Sztokman will be in conversation with NJN’s Director of Development Karen Paul and Deputy Director of Communications Maxxe Albert-Deitch. 

Dr. Elana Sztokman is an anthropologist, educator, feminist, peace activist, speaker, consultant, podcaster, and two-time winner of the National Jewish Book Council Award. She has spent 25 years writing about issues of gender, language, power, politics, education, and society, especially around Israel and Jewish culture. Her previous book, When Rabbis Abuse, won the Best Jewish Non-Fiction of the Year from Hey Alma.

The World Zionist Congress Elections: What You Need to Know

Between March 10 and May 4, 2025, American Jews will vote for their delegates to the 39th World Zionist Congress, the “parliament of the Jewish people,” which will convene in Jerusalem in October 2025. Every vote determines how money is spent, how resources are allocated, and contributes to policies in Israeli society and in Jewish communities around the globe. New Jewish Narrative proudly co-leads the Hatikvah Slate, working towards progressive change within the Jewish community here in the U.S. 

This discussion answered questions ranging from "what is the World Zionist Congress in the first place?" to "what is the Hatikvah platform and why should my vote go there instead of somewhere else?"

Our panel featured Nomi Colton-Max, co-chair of NJN and Vice President for Programming of the American Zionist Movement, and Kenneth Bob, board member of NJN and chair of Rozana USA, in conversation with our President and CEO Hadar Susskind.

New Jewish Narrative Condemns Trump Administration’s Illegal Attempts to Shut Down USAID

February 3, 2025- We are outraged by this unconstitutional act of presidential overreach, orchestrated by a private citizen. The decision by Elon Musk and his so-called Department of Government Efficiency (which is not a government entity) to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is not only unlawful but also a direct assault on the foundational principles of our democracy. USAID was established through an act of Congress, and its dissolution cannot be dictated by executive fiat—let alone by an unelected individual operating outside the bounds of government accountability. 

New Jewish Narrative Unequivocally Opposed to Trump Gaza Plan 

February 5, 2025- We are horrified and appalled by President Trump’s reckless suggestion that the United States participate in the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza –a clear endorsement of ethnic cleansing. This proposal is not only morally repugnant but also a flagrant violation of international law.

The forced displacement of a population is a war crime. Any attempt to carry out such an atrocity would be an unmistakable crime against humanity, further destabilizing an already devastated region and inflicting unimaginable suffering on millions of people.

Statement on Reintroduction of the Antisemitism Awareness Act

February 6, 2025- New Jewish Narrative (NJN) is dismayed to see the Antisemitism Awareness Act reintroduced in Congress and urges Members to oppose this dangerous and unhelpful measure. This misguided bill would codify the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, which conflates legitimate criticism of the policies and actions of the Israeli government with antisemitism. The lead drafter of IHRA, Kenneth Stern, has warned against its codification and use as a cudgel against the millions of Americans, including many Jewish Americans, who object to the Netanyahu government’s decisions and actions. 

Last month, the Trump Administration issued an Executive Order claiming to address antisemitism on college campuses. However, this order was accompanied by a fact sheet that revealed a deeply concerning desire to weaponize accusations of antisemitism as a tool to suppress free speech that the administration opposes. This is not the first time that President Trump and his administration have hinted at reprisals for political opponents. At a time when the Trump Administration has repeatedly indicated their wish to penalize individuals for dissenting political opinions, the passage of the Antisemitism Awareness Act would give further fuel to these efforts. 

Israel's Supreme Court Orders Investigation into Illegal Settlement Construction Following Peace Now Petition (February 4, 2025)

On February 4th, 2025, the Israeli Supreme Court accepted Peace Now’s petition and ordered the police to open an investigation into investigation into crimes of organized illegal construction in the settlements. The ruling is on three different cases filed by Peace Now, demanding the investigation of the involvement of officials in the illegal construction in the outposts of Shvut Rachel, Haro’eh, and Alonei Shilo. The state, in response, repeatedly requested extensions on various pretexts and managed to drag the cases for years.

Nearly eight years ago, Peace Now published an extensive report, “Unraveling the Mechanism Behind Illegal Outposts“, exposing how settler-officials, mainly at the local authorities of the settlements, established illegal outposts and settlements without authorization, exploiting public resources and funds to create political and security facts on the ground. Following the report, Peace Now submitted evidence to the police and the State Prosecutor’s Office, urging them to launch an investigation into those behind this fraudulent mechanism. However, the enforcement authorities refrained from acting, effectively granting settler leaders impunity.

Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser