Dear Friend,

When we decided on the theme "Rise to the Moment" for the 2019 J Street National Conference, no one could have anticipated just how significant a moment this would be.

In Washington, President Trump is dealing blow after damaging blow to our democracy, national interest and international standing. Tensions with Iran could still spiral into war, refugees continue to face terrible mistreatment at our border, a Middle East “peace vision” likely to endorse permanent occupation could soon be released and Trump continues to lash out at his political opponents with extreme and bigoted rhetoric.

In Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu is also fighting for his political survival, fending off corruption charges and struggling to resolve an intractable political deadlock which may mark the end of his prime ministership. The outcome of the current coalition negotiations could help decide whether the next Israeli government will try to move forward with unilateral annexation in the West Bank.

At J Street, we know that with the 2020 presidential race heating up and Israel potentially on the verge of new leadership, there’s never been a more important time for American Jews to speak out loudly and clearly in defense of our core values. That’s why this year’s conference, taking place October 26-29 in Washington, is so important.

We have amazing speakers and programming in store, including 2020 presidential candidates and key lawmakers, Israeli and Palestinian leaders and inspirational activists. We will have the chance to help shape our national debate on Israel, give voice to the majority of American Jews and gear up for the most pivotal election in our lifetime.

Truly, this is the moment our movement was built for.

If you haven’t yet registered for the conference, you can do so here. If you have already registered, share this link with your friends and invite them to join you -- this is a moment no one who shares our values should miss.

Thank you so much for your support -- we can’t wait to see you there.

Logan Bayroff
Communications Director

Around J Street

Pelosi, Schumer and more major lawmakers join J Street Conference lineup

Last week, we announced that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer will speak at our National Gala Dinner honoring the incredible philanthropy and advocacy of Pilar Crespi Robert and Stephen Robert.

Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal will also be joining the gala program for a discussion on American leadership in the Middle East, what can be done to repair the damage Trump and Netanyahu have done to the US-Israel relationship and the impact of J Street’s voice in the halls of Congress. At such a tense and important moment in Washington, we’re pleased to welcome leaders who have been at the forefront of the response to the Trump administration’s reckless policies and increasingly erratic and dangerous behavior.

Head to to our gala registration page to buy standalone tickets to the gala, or add gala tickets to your current registration for a reduced rate by emailing [email protected].

Former Israeli PM Barak, party leaders Horowitz and Odeh confirmed for Conference

As we edge closer and closer to opening night on October 26, we’ve been confirming speaker after speaker for what promises to be our most jam-packed conference program yet.

This week, we announced that former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, now an outspoken voice for the Democratic Union, will be a featured speaker at the conference. Barak has been a leading advocate for the two-state solution and remains one of the most vocal opponents of creeping annexation and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s attacks on democratic norms.

He’ll be joined at the conference by the Democratic Union’s leader Nitzan Horowitz and by Joint List leader Ayman Odeh, who heads the Knesset’s third largest party. Following the recent bombshell news that his coalition of Arab parties would officially step off the sidelines and recommend Benny Gantz for prime minister, Odeh has emerged as one of the most important political figures in Israel and a leading advocate for equality, human rights and the urgent pursuit of a two-state solution.

Creators of “Our Boys” mini-series to discuss the show at J Street Conference

The hit mini-series “Our Boys,” which chronicles the terrorist kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers and the price-tag killing of a 16-year-old Palestinian, has stirred a passionate and vitriolic debate in Israel.

Described in Haaretz as “the most painful but strangely rewarding show of the year, one that is not afraid to go to some very dark places in the country’s psyche,” the show has drawn praise from critics and condemnation from Prime Minister Netanyahu, who branded the series “anti-Semitic” and called for a boycott of the station airing the show in Israel. J Street is proud to welcome the creators of “Our Boys” to our 2019 National Conference for a nuanced, in-depth discussion of their uncompromising portrayal of a wrenching moment in recent Israeli history.

Our Israel: Profiling the work of J Street’s progressive Israeli partners

J Street is proud to stand with Israeli activists and organizers who do amazing work every day to build a better society and to help create a better future for all Israelis and for their Palestinian neighbors. We’re launching a new series of profiles -- entitled “Our Israel” -- detailing the work of our progressive partners and their visions for the future.

For the first of these profiles, we spoke with Lee Gordon, co-founder of the integrated Arab-Jewish school network Hand in Hand. “What I hear -- especially from students -- is that this is a place where they feel safe,” Gordon tells us.

To read more about how Hand in Hand got started, how students, teachers and parents wrestle with contentious issues and how they’ve dealt with attacks on their schools, please read and share the full story here >>

Gordon will also be joining us at the J Street Conference, as part of a dedicated programming series on people-to-people links.

Stay up to date with the Israeli coalition negotiations

Earlier this month, the Israeli Knesset was sworn in for the second time this year, with the specter of a potential third election still looming as coalition negotiations remain deadlocked.

Prime Minister Netanyahu continues to hold the lead negotiating mandate, which expires on October 24, but seems to have no clear pathway to forming a government. Last week, Benny Gantz’s Blue and White suspended unity government negotiations with Netanyahu’s Likud, accusing them of negotiating in bad faith. We’re continuing to monitor the post-election dynamics closely -- and share our analysis of where things may be headed next -- through regular election updates.

To stay on top of all the latest political developments from Israel, sign up to our J Street Israeli Election Updates.

Must Reads

New York Times

Israelis Watch U.S. Abandon Kurds, and Worry: Who’s Next?

Haaretz

Liberal Values Make Jews Everywhere Prime Target for White Supremacists

The Atlantic

Benjamin Netanyahu Is No Longer Israel’s Indispensable Leader

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J Street is the political home for pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans who want Israel to be secure, democratic and the national home of the Jewish people. Working in American politics and the Jewish community, we advocate policies that advance shared US and Israeli interests as well as Jewish and democratic values, leading to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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