Friends,
At J Street, we have a clear and strong vision of the Israel we’re fighting for -- an Israel that can be a truly just, democratic and peaceful homeland for the Jewish people, and a beacon of our shared values.
We’re not alone in that fight. Across Israel, there are a range of truly inspiring, progressive groups who are fighting to realize those values each and every day. These leaders, advocates and organizations work tirelessly to build a better future for all Israeli citizens regardless of religion and ethnicity, and for their Palestinian neighbors living under occupation.
Through J Street’s ‘Our Israel’ project, we’re introducing our communities in the United States to these champions of justice, equality and peace -- and amplifying their work to build a broad movement of solidarity, allyship and hope.
We wanted to share with you a recap of some of the great organizations who we have profiled and interviewed so far.
Standing Together
Strength through Solidarity
Standing Together is a joint Arab/Jewish progressive advocacy organization that leads thousands of advocates across Israel as they campaign for equal rights, rally against injustice and the occupation and push for fairer wages, better working conditions, and a better future for all Israeli and Palestinian families. The group works to build coalitions, connect political priorities with people’s everyday lives and is seeking to build a sustained organizing machine.
“We are tackling racism not only by saying it is wrong, but by creating the politics of shared interests — a politics that is centered on self-interest, not on morals or abstract values,” co-founder Alon-Lee Green tells J Street. Read the full profile >>
Hand in Hand
A Vision for an Integrated Israel
Through a network of integrated Arab-Jewish schools across Israel, the founders of Hand in Hand have created a model for an integrated Israel based on peace, coexistence and respect. The schools navigate divisive issues like difficult holidays and the conflict with sensitivity and compassion, and focus on the commonalities between the students rather than the differences
“I think a lot of people see our schools as a sign of hope,” founder Lee Gordon tells J Street. “I like to think that Hand in Hand is a little model of what Israel could look like.” Read the full profile >>
Gisha
Fighting for Gazans' Freedom
The hardworking staff at Gisha — a name that means “access” in Hebrew — fight in the courts and in the court of public opinion for the rights of residents of Gaza to enter and exit the region, to trade freely across their borders and to access the essential services and supplies. Since 2005, the organization has represented both individuals and organizations in legal proceedings and has advocated for freedom of movement for Palestinians in the Occupied Territories.
“You don’t realize how much movement and access is taken for granted until you see what happens when it’s taken away,” Tania Hary, Gisha’s executive director, tells J Street. Read the full profile >>
PresenTense
Making The ‘Start-Up Nation’ More Inclusive
PresenTense is an Israeli impact organization that looks to make entrepreneurship accessible to underprivileged communities across Israel. The hard-working group has launched a number of business incubators across the country focused on providing the necessary resources for entrepreneurs from the Arab Israeli, Bedouin, and Haredi communities, among others, to start businesses.
“If Israel is to truly be the world’s ‘Startup Nation’ then it must be an inclusive society in which all groups can get a foothold in our entrepreneurial ecosystem,” Khouloud Ayuti, one of the organization’s founders, tells J Street. Read the full profile >>
MachsomWatch
Women Against the Occupation and for Human Rights
The dedicated women behind MachsomWatch, also known as Checkpoint Watch, are committed to observing, addressing and reporting on the indignities inflicted upon Palestinians not just at checkpoints, but throughout the occupied West Bank.
“The only Israelis most Palestinians encounter are those on the other end of a rifle or violent settlers who kill their herds, destroy their orchards, and burn their fields,” says veteran Watcher, Daphne Banai. “We show them that not all Israelis support the ongoing occupation and that throughout Israel there are people who understand their plight.” Read the full profile >>
Save A Child's Heart
Saving Children, One Heart At a Time
Over the last two decades, Save A Child’s Heart has performed more than 5,400 similar pediatric cardiac surgeries for children from over 60 developing nations, with approximately half their caseload consisting of Palestinian children from Gaza and the West Bank.
“When you have a Palestinian mother sitting next to an Israeli mother in a waiting room as their children are undergoing pediatric cardiac surgery, you have a bond that’s instantly created,” Executive Director Rabbi David Litwack tells J Street. Read the full profile >>
Israeli Women's Network
Fighting for Gender Equality in Israel
The Israel Women’s Network has been fighting the increasing exclusion and segregation of women in public events, business settings, academia, politics, sports, police and the military. The tremendous, non-partisan women’s network, which has been fighting for equality since 1984, views it as one of their core missions to ensure that Israelis connect the dots on segregation.
“This is something that we all need to fight, men and women,” Executive Director Michal Gera Margaliot tells J Street. “Feminism is not a movement of women against men. It’s a movement to make the world a better place.” Read the full profile >>
Regional Council for the Unrecognized Villages in the Negev
The Bedouin Israelis Fighting for Their Land and Heritage
Fighting demolitions, discrimination and violence at the hands of their own government, the regional council has advocated for Bedouin rights and recognition since 1997. In that time, the group has won a series of bureaucratic and legal fights and has secured the rights of Bedouin residents of several towns to equal access to health, education and infrastructure services.
“Ultimately, our goal is for the state to treat us as equal citizens and treat us equally in the allocation of resources, and in fundamental rights,” Chair Attia Alasam tells J Street. “I want the state to allow us to preserve our traditional way of life and our traditional customs, and to preserve our Bedouin heritage.” Read the full profile >>
Jerusalem Open House
Protecting the Rights of LGBTQ+ Jerusalemites
Tel Aviv holds a reputation as the Middle East’s gay mecca, but in Jerusalem, long-running tensions between religious groups and LGBT+ residents has too often led to violence. Jerusalem Open House is a pioneering advocacy, education and organizing hub and launched the city’s first pride parade in 2002.
They also operate the city’s only LGBT+ health clinic and community support center. “We believe that people shouldn’t have to choose between their identities, you can be LGBT+ and a religious person at the same time, there is no contradiction,” Executive Director Alon Shachar tells J Street. Read the full profile >>
Kav LaOved
The Battle for Workers' Rights
Since 1991, Kav LaOved (‘Worker’s Hotline’) has fought with determination to protect the rights of disadvantaged Israeli, Palestinian and migrant workers. Their vision is an Israeli society in which workers — regardless of nationality, gender, religion or legal status — are respected, valued and have their rights protected. Every year, they help thousands of workers seeking help, including Israelis, Palestinians and migrant workers and refugees from as far afield as Thailand, India and Ukraine. Their challenges range from sexual harassment to underpayment, unpaid compensation to unsafe work environments.
“Victories are still possible in this political climate,” Executive Director Adi Maoz tells J Street. “What drives me and a lot of us is the fact that we believe in the place that we’re living in, and we have the strength and the ability to change it.” Read the full profile >>
