Dear Friends,
I remember the first time I walked into a J Street national gathering.
It was 2019. I was a freshman in college, still figuring out what I believed and where I belonged. I had only gotten involved with J Street U that fall, and suddenly I found myself at this massive gathering of people I didn’t know – nervous, a little overwhelmed, not sure what to expect.
And then I started to feel at ease.
I heard words spoken from a stage that resonated so deeply I remember thinking: I didn’t know a space like this existed. A room of 2,000 people who were asking the same hard questions, and who were willing to wrestle with them together.
That weekend rooted me in a community I didn’t know I was missing. A community committed to the dignity and freedom of Palestinians and Israelis. For a young person like me, it made the choice clear: Stay, engage and work for change rather than walk away.
I stepped back into a national gathering in the winter of 2022, a week before I graduated. This time, it felt different. On top of moving from session to session, I was helping shape the conversation. I led a breakout where I interviewed one of our champions in the House. I spoke in front of a packed room.
That’s what J Street’s Convention can do. It brings people in at every stage – students just finding their footing, organizers and leaders honing their purpose and community members who want to be part of something bigger than themselves.
We’re gathering again at the end of the month from February 28 through March 3 in Washington, DC for a few days of plenaries, breakout sessions, organizing spaces and the kinds of conversations that only happen when we’re all in the same room.
If this sounds like a space you want to be in, I hope you’ll take a moment to register and join us >>
We don’t want cost to be a barrier for anyone who’s interested in coming. You can use the code ‘getengaged’ for 40% off registration, and if you have any other cost concerns, please reply to this email – we really want you to be there.
If you’re looking to meet students and activists from across the country, to find – or return to – your political home and to help shape where this movement goes next, I hope you’ll join us.
I’ll be there. I hope you will be, too.
All my best,
Eliza Schloss
J Street Content Producer and Strategist (and J Street U alum!)
