http://btvshalom.org The Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=24051150 Advocating for peace between Israel and the Palestinians has never been simple, or easy. We often have to work against conventional wisdom and harmful policies, sometimes with little open support from our decision makers. It's a lot like the peace negotiations themselves. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=22988593 Gershon Baskin and Hanna Sinioria, co-directors of the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information (IPCRI), will continue touring with their message of hope and peace to Los Angeles, Denver, New York City, and finally Providence. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=22760552 After weeks of violence and tragedy in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, hopes for a final peace agreement by the end of this year are fading rapidly. Nevertheless, Brit Tzedek continues to organize and advocate in the American Jewish community for a two-state solution, and we are pleased to share an exciting development that demonstrates a real move towards peace in the American Jewish landscape. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=22426059 Steve Masters, President of Brit Tzedek v'Shalom, the Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace, issued the following statement in response to today's terrorist shooting at the Mercaz Harav yeshiva in Jerusalem that left 8 students dead and many wounded. http://ga3.org/campaign/hamas_israel_ceasefire_now/ In the past week, Palestinian militants fired over 700 rockets into Israel -- killing one father of four, wounding many, and reaching as far as the city of Ashkelon -- and the Israeli military engaged in its largest operation in Gaza in two years, leaving over 100 Palestinians killed, including many civilians and children. To prevent the violence from escalating even further, the U.S. must diplomatically intervene and call for a Hamas-Israel ceasefire now. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=22094048 Brit Tzedek v'Shalom is pleased to announce that our 10-city speaking tour with Gershon Baskin and Hanna Sinioria, co-directors of the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Development (IPCRI), will launch March 1 in Atlanta, Georgia. The tour will then proceed across the country: Boston, Western Massachusetts, Ann Arbor, Detroit, San Francisco Bay area, Los Angeles, Denver, New York City, and finally Providence http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=21661665 Brit Tzedek v'Shalom is co-sponsoring an exhibit and organizing chapter events with members of the Israeli group Breaking the Silence/Shovrim Shtika (BTS) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Cambridge, MA. The exhibit includes over 100 photographs and video testimonies by current and former Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers documenting their experiences in the occupied territories. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=21031435 In the groundbreaking new book, Righteous Indignation: A Jewish Call for Justice, leading rabbis, intellectuals, and activists explore the relationship between Judaism and social justice. Significantly, the book contains an entire section dedicated to exploring the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including a chapter (excerpted below) by Brit Tzedek's Interim Executive Director and former National Advocacy Chair, Diane Balser. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=21220961 Akiva Eldar, chief political columnist and editorial writer for the Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz, will give us his on-the-ground perspective of the recent events in Gaza and southern Israel, including the Gaza blockade and breach of the Gaza-Egyptian border, the recent suicide bombing in Dimona, and the fallout from the Winograd report in a town hall conference call this Sunday, February 10. http://ga3.org/campaign/end_gaza_blockade/ This week, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians flooded out of Gaza through the recently breached border crossing with Egypt in order to purchase food, medicine, cement, mattresses, and household supplies. Last week, over two hundred Qassam rockets were launched by Palestinian militants into Sderot and elsewhere in Israel's northern Negev.This escalation of violence and punishment must end, and for that to happen, the U.S. must intervene. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=20226649 Brit Tzedek v'Shalom, in a pilot partnership with Meretz USA, is co-sponsoring a symposium in Israel and the West Bank this week. The delegation is meeting with Israeli and Palestinian political and grassroots leaders of the peace movement, as well as seeing first hand the effects of the occupation to gain an understanding of the realities affecting Israeli and Palestinian lives on a daily basis. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=15492594 Diane Balser, interim executive director of Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, the country’s largest and most vibrant grassroots Jewish peace movement, issued the following statement today in response to President Bush’s first visit as president to Israel and the West Bank this week, during which he met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. http://ga3.org/campaign/bush_visit_action For the first time in his presidency, President Bush will travel to Israel and the West Bank this coming week (January 8 and 9) in a clear effort to accelerate negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Please urge President Bush use his visit to bring Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations back on track and ensure that all sides live up to their commitments to peace! http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=19810537 It's never been easy to talk within the American Jewish community about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly during those difficult years in which the Israeli government itself was obstructing or actively opposing substantive peace talks, and the U.S. government failed to engage on almost any level. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=19705600 Among the most extraordinary aspects of Brit Tzedek's work has been the deep involvement of rabbis and cantors. We have put considerable effort into organizing Jewish spiritual leaders across the nation and they have become one of our key constituencies. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=19554430 The American Jewish community has been one of Israel’s most stalwart supporters since its foundation. We rightly see the Jewish State as our spiritual home, and in times of trouble, never fail to stand by Israel’s side. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=19342073 Senator Chris Dodd (CT) is circulating a powerful sign-on letter to Secretary Rice that applauds her work at the Annapolis peace conference and calls on her to press both Israelis and Palestinians to honor their commitments to reach a final status agreement, including a freeze on all settlement construction. Please call YOUR Senators today and urge them to sign the Dodd letter to Secretary Rice! Do not wait! http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=19270675 Brit Tzedek Calls on U.S. to Move Peace Process Forward, Oppose Actions that Undermine Peace, and Support an Israel-Hamas Ceasefire. “The events of the past weeks, which have so clearly created obstacles to relaunching peace talks, underscore the critical need for sustained and active U.S. engagement to ensure that both sides abide by their commitments under the Roadmap and avoid taking actions that undermine the peace process,” said Brit Tzedek president Steve Masters. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=18882872 As we prepare for Chanukah, American Jews have greater hope for a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict than we have had in years. When the holiday is over, the bilateral negotiations arranged at Annapolis are to begin. It is, indeed, as if a candle has been lit in the darkness. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/alert-description.html?alert_id=17926064 Daniel Levy, Senior Fellow and Director of the Middle East Policy Initiative at the New America Foundation and the lead Israeli drafter of the Geneva Initiative, provides an in-depth analysis of the Annapolis peace conference in Brit Tzedek’s Town Hall Conference Call. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/alert-description.html?alert_id=17926064 Brit Tzedek's Rabbinic Cabinet has raised a resolute call to American Jews, Kindle the Lights of Peace, urging their support for efforts to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks at the Annapolis peace conference and encouraging all of the presidential candidates to support Israeli-Palestinian peace. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=18281349 Brit Tzedek asked two of our allies, Naomi Chazan, professor of Political Science and former Member of Knesset with the Meretz party in Israel, and Rafi Dajani, the Executive Director of the American Task Force on Palestine, to answer several questions about the upcoming Annapolis peace conference, tentatively scheduled for November 27. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=18281124 If we support Annapolis rather than succumb to our skepticism, if we demonstrate beyond a shadow of a doubt to the White House, to Members of Congress, and to the presidential candidates that American Jews stand behind genuine peace efforts - we can change history. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=18324233 Thanks to your advocacy, 135 Members of Congress signed on to the Ackerman-Boustany letter to Secretary Rice in support of the Annapolis peace conference. That is more signers on a constructive pro-peace, pro-Israel letter than we have seen in years! http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=17903338 One my favorite Civil Rights Era anthems has the refrain: “keep your eyes on the prize, hold on.” As we look back on our impressive accomplishments from our first five years, it is abundantly clear that we've held on and kept our eyes on the prize. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=17696196 Stepping down from her role as founding president, Marcia Freedman offers her reflections on the past five years and says "thank you" to Brit Tzedek v'Shalom. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=17609844 It is time to pack your suitcase and join Brit Tzedek on a very special trip to Israel in January 2008 to meet with policymakers and peace activists to see firsthand what is happening on the ground in Israel. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=17472326 Representatives Gary Ackerman (D-NY) and Charles Boustany (R-LA) are circulating a sign-on letter to Secretary Rice commending her efforts to reinvigorate the Israeli-Palestinian peace process by convening an international conference this fall and calling for additional steps to ensure its success. http://btvshalom.org/resources/Hamas_FAQ.shtml The specter of Hamas - what they will and will not do - haunts nearly every discussion about a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict...In order to answer our questions, we researched and developed this "backgrounder" on Hamas. We hope it provides an overall understanding of their origins and what the future may hold in store for them and for those of us who advocate a negotiated settlement in the Middle East. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=17307694 Brit Tzedek v'Shalom welcomed Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's call for the Israeli government to clarify its plans to expropriate a significant swath of Palestinian land in the West Bank, known as the E-1 region. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=17192647 Brit Tzedek v'Shalom is launching a new campaign,"Let's Talk to the Candidates," to move beyond general platitudes about supporting Israel into discussing the specifics of what we believe is a truly pro-Israel position-bringing lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians. http://ga3.org/campaign/SRes321 Senators Feinstein and Lugar reintroduced their important Senate resolution calling for active U.S. engagement to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and now is the time to give it a new momentum! http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=16840039 Simchat Torah marks the end, and the beginning, of the endless cycle of Torah reading in our communities. It's easy to see such delight, such light-hearted pleasure, as a momentary respite from the serious work of tikkun olam, repairing the world, to which we are called. http://ga3.org/campaign/support_ceasefire_now/ Another deadly round of fighting seems imminent in Gaza, as Israel threatens a major military invasion and Hamas threatens a massive response. Urge President Bush to prevent this escalation of violence before it starts and to support an Israel-Hamas ceasefire now! http://www.btvshalom.org/pressrelease/2007/20070928pr.shtml Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, the Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace, calls on the White House to urge Israel to reach a ceasefire with Hamas, whether through backchannel talks, a neutral third-party or other indirect forms of diplomacy. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=16517993 With Yom Kippur just behind us, our thoughts turn now to the festival of Sukkot (sometimes known as the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles). http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=16158214 Read the latest news about Brit Tzedek v'Shalom's work on the local, national and international level. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=15540233 Just before the shofar is sounded in the third movement of the Shofar Service on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish people plead "Lead us with song to Zion Your city, with everlasting joy to Jerusalem, the place of Your sanctuary..." http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=15495560 Brit Tzedek's Deputy Director Aliza Becker spoke with Palestinian Legislative Council member Jihad Abu Zneid about her assessment of the present situation. Abu Zneid is a Fatah council member from East Jerusalem and the founder and director of the Women's Center of the Shuafat Refugee Camp in East Jerusalem. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=14821860 Surprisingly, the violent military takeover of Gaza by Hamas in early June and the formation of a national emergency government in the West Bank, led by Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, has led many in Israel and the US to see a new "window of opportunity" for peace amidst the upheaval. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=14485796 Due to the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza as well as the welcome increase in US engagement in Middle East diplomacy, Brit Tzedek v'Shalom sent the following letter to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Friday, August 10, 2007. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=14312819 The Senate did not vote on the Feinstein/Lugar Resolution before it adjourned for its August recess. When the Senate comes back from recess after Labor Day, Brit Tzedek will be prepared to renew our strong advocacy for passage of the resolution, building on the momentum of having 36 cosponsors. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=14050742 The Feinstein/Lugar resolution is significant for its constructive, pro-engagement content in a Congress that regularly introduces legislation that demonizes Palestinians, places sanctions on desperately needed aid, and otherwise undermines U.S. efforts to promote peace negotiations. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=12681624 From June 16th to 19th, 120 Brit Tzedek activists from across the country converged in Washington, D.C. to take part in four intense days of organizing, training, networking, and advocating in support of our pro-Israel, pro-peace message. Check out the links below for more info on the Grassroots Leadership Training Institute and National Advocacy Days 2007. http://www.btvshalom.org/pressrelease/20070525pr.shtml Brit Tzedek developed the “Rabbinic Guide to 40 Years of Occupation” as a way of engaging congregations in considering the unintended political consequences of Israel’s occupation and to frame the discussions rabbis will be leading across the country in the coming weeks. http://letstalk.btvshalom.org/petition "Let’s Talk" urges the Bush Administration, in its final two years, to urgently promote and facilitate talks between Israel and the Palestinians, as well as Israel and Syria, and Israel and Lebanon. It is also a campaign to encourage dialogue among American Jews about the path to peace for Israel. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=11528794 It is already hot in Hebron at 11 a.m. as 300 of us disembark from the comfortable bullet-proof buses which started out in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Be'er Sheva, buses which passed through the checkpoints outside Kiryat Arba and inside Hebron itself, and -- accompanied by IDF and police vehicles -- down one of the main thoroughfares of the city, past Palestinians gathered outside their small stores and auto repair shops, past young boys carrying containers of soup given out on Tuesdays, past Christian tourists in red baseball caps. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=10902657 On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to congratulate Steven David Masters on his becoming President-Elect of Brit Tzedek v'Shalom. As Brit Tzedek's first President-Elect, Steve will serve as a member of the Executive Committee, will continue to be a leader of Brit Tzedek's advocacy efforts, and will play a leading role in our fundraising efforts. He will become our second President in November of 2007. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=9527357 These two installments of a tour report covering our travels in Israel and the occupied territories this past March and April. In the first installment, you?ll find highlights of conversations with leaders and activists involved in a variety of initiatives aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and addressing the damage the conflict has done. In the second installment we try to convey in pictures and in words some of what we experienced. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=6929519 I would argue, though, that without active dialogue and struggle over what is the best course for American policy vis-a-vis Israel, we will not be able to find the true path towards a genuine peace, an end to the conflict, and the acceptance of Israel in the Arab world. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=6092007 Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA) introduced a powerful resolution calling on President Bush to appoint a special envoy for Middle East peace, H.Res.143. A high-level, permanent U.S. envoy to the Middle East could help break the current impasse between Israelis and Palestinians by providing vigorous and persistent engagement to return both sides to the negotiating table. Please tell your Representative to cosponsor H.Res.143 today! http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=6536129 Brit Tzedek was pleased and proud to host a 22-city speaking tour with the Israeli-Palestinian group Combatants for Peace in Jewish communities across the United States. The tour, from January 8 to February 9, 2007, was a resounding success, bringing the voices of Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation to the heart of our community. http://ga3.org/btvshalom/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=3535885 Brit Tzedek v'Shalom since its founding has consistently given recognition to the leading role that the Israeli and Palestinian women's peace movements have played in advancing the cause of a non-violent and just resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The establishment a year ago of The International Women's Commission for a Just and Sustainable Israeli-Palestinian Peace (IWC) composed of of 20 Palestinian, 20 Israeli and 20 internationally prominent women, is a new and important development in this trajectory.