Friends,
How do you possibly explain two years of suffering and anguish?
Two years for hostage families, waiting in torment for news of their loved ones. Two years of trauma and grief for all Israelis, especially families whose loved ones were brutally murdered by Hamas. Two years for Palestinian families in Gaza who have lost everything – lives, homes, generations. Two years struggling to survive, eat and find safe shelter away from continuous bombardment.
Those who have lived it – who are living it – will tell us. Tell us what they’ve endured, and the future they are fighting for.
I want to invite you to join me, the J Street community and our allies in the Progressive Israel Network for two powerful panels as we reflect on the past two years and look toward a better future.
🗓️ “Remembering the Victims, Fighting for the Hostages,” on Thursday, October 9 at 1pm Eastern / 10am Pacific: This call will commemorate the victims of October 7, honor the hostages and uplift the families who continue the fight to bring them home. Register now >>
We’ll hear from:
- Sharone Lifschitz – Daughter of Oded and Yocheved Lifschitz, both kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Her father was murdered in captivity, her mother freed. Sharone will share her family’s story and lifelong commitment to peace.
- Elana Kaminka – Mother of Lt. Yannai Kaminka, killed on October 7 by Hamas while defending young recruits. A peace activist, she works to foster Israeli-Palestinian dialogue and demand accountability from her government.
- Emmanuelle Elbaz-Phelps – Veteran journalist whose reporting on Israeli society and politics has centered on the trauma of October 7 and its aftermath.
🗓️ “Life and Death in Gaza Since October 7,” on Friday, October 10 at 1pm Eastern / 10am Pacific: This call will center the voices of Palestinians who have lived through unimaginable devastation and who continue to fight for justice, freedom and dignity. Register now >>
We’ll hear from:
- Dr. Musallam Abukhalil – Physician from Gaza and founder of D4P, responding to the humanitarian catastrophe with local action and aid relief.
- Angela Mattar – Palestinian citizen of Israel, activist with Standing Together, leading efforts for nonviolent resistance and Jewish-Arab partnership.
- Khalil Sayegh – Political analyst, co-founder of the Agora Initiative, and longtime peace activist who grew up in Gaza and the West Bank.
These will be discussions of loss – but also of courage, resilience and the determination to build a better reality.
I hope you’ll join us.
In solidarity,
Sam Berkman
National Director of Communal Relations, J Street
