Dear John,

This is the time when Jews around the world are preparing for the most somber moments of the year. It is a time for reflection, and it is a time to atone.

The past two years have brought us unspeakable horrors, inflicted on both Israelis and Palestinians. As we near the second anniversary of October 7th, the echoes of the Hamas attack — the terror and violence and sexual violence and death that was perpetrated that day on innocent Israelis — resounds in our ears.

We are writing to you today because we believe that the work of New Jewish Narrative is critical to understanding and facing this complex moment. We support NJN, and we hope that you do too.

We can never forget those who were killed or taken into Gaza in bondage. And we cannot forget these two years of daily fears for the hostages, and the violent deaths that many faced as they sat and starved in the Hamas tunnels. But we also have been awakened to the utterly inhumane response the Israeli government has brought to Gaza.

We did not remain silent when Israelis were killed on October 7th, and we will not remain silent as Palestinians are killed.

This is our Al Het prayer this year.

Not in our name — bombing and destroying entire cities.
Not in our name — killing innocent civilians and starving them to death. 
Not in our name — continued and eternal Occupation.
Not in our name — the shredding of Israeli democracy.
Not in our name — settler violence and the killing of Palestinians in the West Bank.

But… the work of New Jewish Narrative IS being done in our name. We support NJN, and we need your support as well to ensure that this work can continue. Make a gift today. 

In our name — fighting for a secure, just, democratic, and peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians.
In our name — protesting the egregious war, starvation in Gaza, Occupation, and settler violence.
In our name — seeking points of connection in our community, and finding common cause in our love for Israel.
In our name — supporting Israeli efforts to fight the Occupation, shift the narrative, build back the democratic character of the country.
In our name — fighting for our own democracy, also threatened and under attack. 

This is what is being done in our name by NJN, which envisions and works towards a future for both Israel and Palestine, one where all people have a voice in their lives, and all people live with safety and justice supporting them. A future of peace on all sides.

This work requires our financial support. Take a moment to make a donation right now.

NJN works tirelessly with allies and colleagues pushing for a day when Israel, Palestine, and the United States are guided by rational, thoughtful leaders whose motives are not personal greed and political power but a belief in the need to build a better country for all its people.

We all know the hard work it takes to resist the regimes that have taken over both our country and Israel. And yet we must. Every week, our colleagues and friends and family in Israel are in the streets by the tens of thousands, protesting the Netanyahu government and its pernicious tactics. And here in the US we are also taking to the streets with our colleagues and partners, coordinating protests that call for an end to the war, a return of the hostages, and humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.

We are equally committed to finding a solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians for the land they both hold as their own. We believe in the promise of what we have long called the two-state solution. In whatever form that may take as we move into a new era of peacemaking, we believe in a just, secure, and democratic solution for Israelis and Palestinians.

We will not allow the violence and bloodshed to continue to be committed in our name.

Our outrage at the situation is at a boiling point. We need solutions. We need wisdom. We need peace. We rely on NJN to lead the way into the future towards all of these goals. And we need you with us! Please make a gift to New Jewish Narrative today. Peace and justice cannot wait.

May we be able to atone this year for the sins of war. And may we find ourselves in this season next year with a prayer for the beginning of a new, saner, more just, and peaceful era.

B’shalom,

Mandy Patinkin (NJN board member) & Kathryn Grody

P.S. Your gift to New Jewish Narrative ensures that our voice is a daily presence in the community, calling out violence, discrimination and antidemocratic actions. We respond with the truth — provoking meaningful discourse and prompting thoughtful reaction. Please give generously today.

Mandy Patinkin is best known as a star of Broadway (Evita, Sunday in the Park with George) and Hollywood (The Princess Bride, Yentl), but at NJN we cherish him for his strong moral leadership. He serves on our Board — and was on the Board of APN for many years. He travels to the region frequently and has spoken at conferences and demonstrations organized by Peace Now in Israel. This letter from Mandy and Kathryn Grody — his beloved spouse and fellow passionate activist — is their effort to make sure that you match their commitment. We are all stronger together.