Dear John,

Coming out of the reflections of Yom Kippur, I have been thinking about what keeps me going in this challenging work, in this difficult moment, in this fractured world. And the answer is you. We’re just under two weeks away from our NJN gala. I am looking forward to walking into that room full of people who are more than names on a list—people who are a part of my community.

I can’t wait to look around and see the faces of people who, like me, are not willing to treat the lives of Israelis and Palestinians as some sort of game where we keep score to see who is suffering more, who is more justified, or who is more to blame. People who, instead, see the humanity of both peoples and who translate that into a commitment to work to build a better future.

I hope that you will join me in person in New York City on October 16th. The last day to get your tickets is October 13th—just eight days from now. 

Hope is a rare and often fleeting feeling in these challenging days. But I know that when we come together, when we forge connections over shared values and dreams, we are investing that hope with our collective love and communal obligation. 

I’ll be there to share about our work peacebuilding, fighting against fascism, and forging the kind of community that all want to be a part of. And I want you there with me, because I believe that being in a room together with other American, Israeli, and Palestinian colleagues, partners, and friends will provide the inspiration we all need to keep moving forward, to keep working together, and to keep that hope alive. 

If you can make it to New York, join me for an unforgettable night. And if you aren’t able to be there in person, I hope that you will do the next best thing and join us virtually.

With gratitude,

Hadar Susskind
President and CEO