Friends,
This past weekend, as we in the US commemorated Memorial Day, Israelis were closing out their own month of important holidays, both joyous and somber. In May, Israelis commemorated the Holocaust on Yom Hashoah, mourned those lost in wars and acts of terror on Yom HaZikaron and celebrated Israel’s 74th anniversary on Yom Ha’atzmaut, Independence Day.
This past Sunday, some Israelis celebrated another holiday, Jerusalem Day, which marks the “reunification” of Jerusalem after Israeli forces gained control of the Old City and East Jerusalem during 1967’s Six-Day War. For the Israeli far-right, the day has sadly become an annual opportunity to direct appalling violence, bigotry and intimidation at the city’s Palestinian residents. We saw this on Sunday, as far too many hate-filled right-wing marchers threw stones, harassed innocent people and chanted “death to Arabs” without police intervention.
J Street is proud to condemn and reject the shameful behavior of the far right and their violent, exclusionary vision for Israel’s future.
At the same time, it's ever more vital to double down on what we are proud of: The many Israelis who champion and fight for the democratic values enshrined in Israel’s Declaration of Independence -- justice, equality, tolerance and the pursuit of peace.
We’re so grateful for the many brave and passionate Israeli activists, from a diverse range of communities and backgrounds, who work every day to help their country live up to those values. This is the Israel we love. It’s the Israel from which we draw inspiration.
In an ongoing series of profiles we call “Our Israel”, J Street staff interview inspiring leaders and activists to explore what motivates them, the movements they are building, and the challenges they’re struggling against. Below, you can read a number of the compelling, heart-warming, and sometimes heartrending profiles that we’ve published in recent months.
At times, our critiques of the extremist settlement movement and Israeli government policy, or our dedication to peace and the rights of all, lead some to charge that we don’t truly love or care about Israel and its future.
Nothing could be further from the truth. We do what we do because we care about Israel and its relationship with the Jewish people around the world.
As we do when it comes to the US, we refuse to look away or stay silent when the Israeli government falls short of the nation's values or the vision of its founders. Just the opposite: we’re committed to the hard work of pursuing and achieving that vision.
By celebrating the incredible work of both Israelis and Palestinians who are struggling for peace, coexistence, social and economic justice, women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, and so much more, we’re making clear that we are their partners in defending liberal democracy and building a better future for all.
I hope you find their stories as inspiring and motivating as I do. Thank you,
Jeremy Ben-Ami, J Street
Rabbis for Human Rights
Rabbis raise their voices
Rabbis for Human Rights is an Israeli organization that works throughout Israel and the Occupied Territory to monitor human rights violations, support social and economic justice, and promote education and interfaith dialogue. The organization was founded over 30 years ago in response to the violation of Palestinian human rights taking place in the Occupied Territories and has since expanded to include a number of different initiatives throughout Israel and the Palestinian Territory to advance human rights for all.
“As a rabbi, I have to raise my voice. It has meaning to speak up. I represent more than just myself,” says Rabbi Ruti Baidatz. Read the full profile >>
This is not an Ulpan
An alternative language school
This Is Not An Ulpan, which works in both Israel and the Palestinian territory, was founded in the wake of the 2011 Israeli social justice protests which saw thousands rallying against social and economic inequality. Language courses run by the group have titles you won’t see in traditional Ulpans. Upcoming courses next semester include “Queer your Hebrew” and “the Televised Revolution.”
“We are using language to free people from this ideology that you have to learn in a certain way,” explains Sophie Shannir, the organization’s Community Manager. Read the full profile >>
Road to Recovery
Connections across divisions
Every year, the volunteers at Road to Recovery make thousands of trips, bringing Palestinians in the West Bank -- mostly children -- to vital medical appointments in Israel. Since Israeli authorities often only grant entry permits to children in need of care and not their caregivers or their vehicles, volunteers end up offering both practical transport and emotional support and reassurance.
“Driving people from the other side, there’s something magical about it,” says CEO Naama Goraly. Read the full profile >>
Palestinian Internship Program
Creating the Palestinian startup nation
The Palestinian Internship Program works to connect West Bank Palestinians working in the technology sector to companies in Israel and beyond seeking talent. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship. By placing participants in roles where they will contribute to the Israeli tech sector, they can ultimately take what they learned back into the Palestinian ecosystem -- creating their own “startup nation.”
“Our alumni are pushing the cycle forward. They are providing more jobs and opportunities directly in the Palestinian ecosystem and passing down the skills they gained through their internships to their employees,” says Executive Director Anna Gol. Read the full profile >>
Tzedek Centers
A vision for a shared society
Tzedek Centers are community centers throughout cities in Israel that train and build networks of community organizers. From the single center Carmon first created six years ago, there are now seven centers across Israel. The group’s goal is to open one in every city across the country.
“It’s not just the activists or politically engaged -- it’s just regular people who want their community to be a better place,” says Executive Director Lev Littman. Read the full profile >>
Bokra
Using media to ignite change
Bokra is an Israeli Arabic news site that draws around 850,000 visitors a day. While it is an Arabic news site, unlike many others of its kind, it is not connected to a political party or a print weekly. And unlike a range of smaller sites, Bokra aims to cover Israeli-Arab affairs nationally. "Bokra," which means "tomorrow" in Arabic, is more than just a news organization. Founder Ghada Zoabi views the website as a home for social initiatives, furthering her mission of affecting change in society.
"We know that we live in a complicated reality. But through our social initiatives, content, and work, we are working every day to get results,” says Bokra Founder Ghada Zoabi. Read the full profile >>
