Israel-Palestine As A Local Issue
JFREJ was founded to focus on local organizing for racial and economic justice in NYC. Our founding members knew then, as we do now, that our liberation as Jews is tied up with the liberation of all people around the world.
JFREJ was founded to focus on local organizing for racial and economic justice in NYC. Our founding members knew then, as we do now, that our liberation as Jews is tied up with the liberation of all people around the world. We are connected to what happens in Israel-Palestine. We are connected as a Jewish organization, and an organization in the United States — whose government provides more than $3 billion in annual military aid to the State of Israel. We are connected as a community with members who have lived there, loved there, put down roots there, protested there, and have friends and family there. And we are connected as a New York City-based organization, navigating Israel-Palestine’s impact on NYC organizing and politics. We are a big-tent community where progressive and Leftist Jews can come to learn and build together. What we all share is our commitment to JFREJ’s values & principles.
In 5784, working alongside our movement partners in the broader #JewsForCeasefire and #CeasefireNow movement, JFREJ members have: taken to the streets, shut down bridges, protested war profiteers, organized family-friendly and religious ceasefire actions, worked arm-in-arm with Rabbis for Ceasefire, and raised our voices to call for a ceasefire & hostage exchange; engaged in political education, ritual discussions on Israel-Palestine; lobbied our members of congress to support the demand for a ceasefire; urged voters to #LeaveItBlank in the NY Democratic presidential primary; marched for #NotAnotherBomb the weekend before the Democratic National Convention; and organized New Yorkers to call on our state's DNC delegates join the Ceasefire Delegation.
Coalitions:
JFREJ continues to be in unwavering solidarity with the principled and strategic Uncommitted Movement for Not Another Bomb that seeks to save lives while strengthening democracy. Click here to learn more.
JFREJ is signed onto the Not On Our Dime campaign to end New York State's subsidization of illegal Israeli settlements. Click here to learn more.
JFREJ is part of the Reject AIPAC coalition calling on candidates for federal office to refuse any endorsements or contributions from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and/or aligned PACs. Click here to learn more.
FAQ
What is JFREJ's stance on Zionism?
- The Jewish community has wrestled with this question for years. As for JFREJ, we do not take a position on Zionism; we’re broadly and proudly anti-nationalist. Our membership includes longtime anti-Zionists, as well as non-Zionists, people who identify as progressive Zionists, and people who don’t identify as anything in relation to Zionism. Click here to read JFREJ's values & principles.
- Rather than orienting around Zionism, JFREJ is rooted in Diasporism, a term coined by JFREJ’s first Executive Director, Melanie Kaye/Kantrowitz as an alternative to Zionism. In her words: “Where Zionism says go home, Diasporism says we make home where we are.”
What is JFREJ's stance on BDS?
- JFREJ does not currently take a position on BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions). Our members hold a range of opinions on the subject. Our position, and where we all agree, is that there should never be any policy to curtail or penalize dissent or non-violent political speech, including BDS.
What are JFREJ's partners on Israel-Palestine work, and which Palestinian-led groups are JFREJ accountable to?
- On Israel-Palestine, JFREJ organizes most closely with JVP and IfNotNow, which are both in direct relationship with Palestinian groups, and we have a decades-long partnership with NYC-based Arab and Muslim organizations and leaders.