Brit Tzedek v'Shalom

Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace

Activities

Executive Director Updates

Building Our Grassroots Base

Thurday, March 18, 2004

Dear Members and Supporters,

Our current organizational focus is on building our grassroots base by developing and strengthening our chapters. We realize if we are to have a significant impact on U.S. policy in the Middle East, we must cultivate a more substantial and ever-growing network of supporters from across the country willing to commit the necessary time and money to sustain our work. In this update, the work of Brit Tzedek chapters in Seattle and Olympia, Washington is highlighted. To get information about your local chapter, email chapter@btvshalom.org

This letter is followed by a list of volunteer opportunities within Brit Tzedek. As a young, grassroots organization, we depend on volunteers among you to help us grow and flourish. Please consider donating your time and talents to Brit Tzedek.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: 50% OF AREA RABBIS SIGN BRIT TZEDEK'S CALL
The Seattle chapter has been particularly successful in its outreach to Jewish community leaders. As a result of this chapter's persistent Efforts in cultivating and maintaining these relationships, fifty percent of the Seattle rabbis in the Washington Coalition of Rabbis (Seattle area Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist and Renewal rabbis) signed Brit Tzedek's Call to Bring the Settlers Home. Several leaders from within the Seattle Jewish Federation have also added their names to the Call. On the advocacy front, the chapter has developed a good working relationship with Congressional Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA) and is in regular contact with his staff about Israeli-Palestinian policy issues. Representative McDermott recently co-sponsored House Resolution 479, which embraces efforts to achieve Israeli-Palestinian peace.

OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON CHAPTER PROMOTING DIALOGUE IN A CONFLICTED COMMUNITY
Members of the Olympia Brit Tzedek chapter participated in an effort to help community members and college students learn more about the conflict and share their feelings and concerns. They assisted Evergreen State College in selecting speakers for a lecture series that included Israelis, Palestinians and others. These lectures, which attracted upwards of 300 people in this small community, were followed by listening groups whose facilitators included Brit Tzedek members. The chapter hopes that continuing dialogue will transform a potentially polarizing situation into one in which people come to better understand one another and promote peaceful efforts to resolve the conflict. (Olympia is the college and hometown of Rachel Corrie, the International Solidarity Movement activist who was tragically killed in Gaza last year.) Olympia chapter advocacy likely influenced the decision of Congressional Representative Brian Baird (D-WA) to co-sponsor House Resolution 479.

NEW BRIT TZEDEK STAFF
A warm welcome to our new staff: Administrative Assistant Leila Forouzan, Bookkeeper Julia Goode and Internet Specialist Brian Beasley.

HOUSE MEETING GUIDELINES
Brit Tzedek has recently completed both a comprehensive guide to "Spirit of Geneva" House Meetings and our long-awaited videotape including footage from Geneva, Switzerland. If you would like to host a House Meeting, please write info@btvshalom.org

TIKKUN TEACH-IN TO CONGRESS
Tikkun will hold its national Teach-In to Congress April 25-27 at the Sheraton Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. This three day conference culminates with meetings on the Hill with Congressional members and/or their staff. The Tikkun community invites everyone interested to "join some of America's most creative policy experts, social change activists, and religious and spiritual leaders as we challenge American politics and media to take a new path beyond militarism to personal and global security." For more information, go to www.tikkun.org

BRIT TZEDEK TRAINING FOR JEWISH CONGRESSIONAL STAFFERS
Our Washington, DC chapter in conjunction with the National Advocacy and Public Policy Committee, is organizing a training session targeted towards Jewish Congressional staffers on policy issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

B'shalom,

Aliza Becker, Executive Director
Brit Tzedek v'Shalom, The Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace