J-Street Conference in Washington

I have written a few posts about J-Street in the past. So those interested in my views can read about J-Street and my thoughts about them here. I've said it before and I'm saying it again now, I wish that no foreign lobby group held power over American politicians and American government, BUT, American politics being what they are this is a sad fact of political life that shows no signs of changing. That said, it's better that the Government be dealing with people like J-Street who seem to hold more level headed views. They are against a war with Iran, they are in support of a Palestinian state and a whole host of other positive ideals where the I/P conflict is concerned. They are holding a conference in Washington in October and I would suggest Americans get out and support this, because the alternative is this, this, this, this, this, this, and this.

Certain moments galvanize a generation.

People ask "were you there when...?"

A political convention. A march on Washington. The birth of a movement.

We are living through another one of those moments right now when it comes to Israel and the Middle East. And you're the one that's making history.

In just 15 months, and with your help, we've grown our email list to more than 105,000 Americans and taken over 350,000 online actions to support a sensible approach to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and dealing with Iran. We've added a college outreach program. And last week, J Street got a seat at President Obama's table. We're on a roll.

The big question for you today is: Will you be there when we hold the largest gathering ever of pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans in Washington, DC this October 25-28?

With the help of 11 other pro-Israel, pro-peace organizations [1], our major national conference in Washington, DC this October will be one for the record books. Our increased synergy is getting noticed in the media and our influence is being felt.

We'd love to see you there - can you make it? You'll meet pro-Israel, pro-peace activists from all over the country (and J Street staff), help us demonstrate our pro-Israel, pro-peace people power to Washington, talk with activists and experts from the region, and take the passion and energy from the conference back to your community.

Hotel rooms are going fast - and October is one of the busiest months in Washington - so register early and book your hotel today.

Click here to learn more about our conference's speakers, panels, parties, and more.

Here are a few of the speakers we'll have at our conference:

Jonathan Chait, Senior Editor, The New Republic

Rep. Donna Edwards, Congresswoman from Maryland

Rep. Bob Filner, Congressman from California

Katrina Vanden Heuvel, Editor, The Nation

Ambassador Martin Indyk, Acting VP and Director, Foreign Policy, Brookings

Institution; Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel

Senator John Kerry, Massachusetts *
Ezra Klein, The Washington Post

Eli Pariser, Former Director, MoveOn.org *

His Royal Highness Prince Zeid Ra'ad Zeid Al-Hussein, Ambassador of Jordan

Daniel Sokatch, Chief Executive Officer, Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties

Yuli Tamir, Deputy Speaker of the Knesset (Labor) and Former Minister of Immigrant Absorption

Matt Yglesias, Center for American Progress

Rabbi Eric Yoffie, President, Union for Reform Judaism

We're already knee-deep in planning for the conference, and everyone on staff is really excited about what is sure to be a fantastic event. We're looking forward to meeting you and sharing this experience with you.

Hope to see you there.

- Isaac

Isaac Luria
Campaigns Director
J Street
July 24, 2009

[1] Participating Organizations include: Alliance for Middle East Peace, Ameinu, Americans for Peace Now, Brit Tzedek v'Shalom, Foundation for Middle East Peace, Israel Policy Forum, Meretz USA, New Israel Fund, OneVoice Movement, Rabbis for Human Rights of North America, The Shalom Center.