Dear John,

In what has become a regular feature of their advocacy work, the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has come at us once again.

Last week, the Va’ad Hapoel of the World Zionist Organization (WZO) was slated for a virtual meeting. This body is responsible for making WZO policy between Zionist Congresses. In the run up to the gathering, the ZOA issued a broadside attack on Ameinu and some of our organizational colleagues, essentially accusing us of being soft on antisemitism. They reserved special venom for our president, Ken Bob, labeling him extremist and anti-Israel.

This verbal warfare is not only found in print. Ameinu is criticized and our leadership called out personally by name at meetings and on social media… all while Ameinu continues working to combat antisemitism and anti-Zionism. In just the last few weeks:

• We joined with the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Jewish Federations of North America, the Anti-Defamation League and many others to demand a congressional hearing for Deborah Lipstadt, President Biden’s nominee to serve as Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism.

• The Alliance for Academic Freedom, operating within our The Third Narrative initiative, issued a statement in opposition to an academic boycott of Israel currently being considered by the Middle East Studies Association.

While parts of the Jewish and Zionist community continue to try and take us down, we remain steadfast in our commitment to shaping policies and programs within the established Jewish community. We are proud of the coalitions that we have built at the American Zionist Movement, our committee work at the Conference of Presidents and the influence we maintain at the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency, and the ways in which we continue to affect change in these big tent organizations.

While our work with other progressive Jewish organizations may enrage the right, we are equally proud of our collaborative associations - such as the U.S.-based Progressive Israel Network and J Link, the international network of progressive Jewish organizations.

Ameinu may be small but our impact cannot be understated! Stand with Ameinu by donating now as we work to ensure our Progressive Zionist voice remains heard in the mainstream Jewish, Zionist and progressive camps through advocacy and educational work.

B’shalom,

Nomi Colton-Max

Vice-President, Chair, Executive Committee