Dear friend,
We sincerely hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy wherever they are in the path of the pandemic. As I write these words, Ameinu’s physical office is closed, with employees and laypeople working remotely. The wellbeing of our organizational family is paramount and we will continue to operate per advice from our local officials.
Even under these circumstances, Ameinu has been very active in the last few months and this email serves as an update for our members and supporters.
World Zionist Congress Elections
Ameinu, together with our colleagues at Partners for Progressive Israel, led the formation of the Hatikvah Progressive Israel slate. A highly publicized and at times ugly campaign resulted in more than double our vote total of five years ago. In spite of being labeled anti-Zionist, self-hating Jews who are enemies of Israel, we led a proud progressive Zionist campaign engaging Jews of all ages and backgrounds. I will be honored to head a diverse, ten-member Hatikvah delegation at the World Zionist Congress in October. At this fateful time for Israel and world Jewry, we will bring progressive Zionist politics and an American perspective to what is called the “Jewish People’s Parliament”.
Advocacy
Ameinu continues to advocate for our values, both independently and with others, through the Progressive Israel Network and the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable. Recently Ameinu took the lead in calling out the Zionist Organization of America for their ongoing campaign to delegitimize the Arab citizens and politicians of Israel. Our well received statement was circulated widely domestically and internationally.
Connect-IL – Israelis in America
In 2018 we launched an initiative to engage with Israelis living in America, mostly in the 25-40 age range. Named Connect-IL by the participants, it has taken on an exciting life of its own through programming and advocacy. In February, over 80 participants attended a half day conference at the JCC on the Upper Westside of Manhattan. The program consisted of speakers, including former Israeli government minister Yossi Beilin and Ha’aretz U.S. correspondent Amir Tibon, entertainment and more.
Israel-Palestine
Ameinu provides management services for Project Rozana USA, now an independent not-for-profit that we launched in 2017. Project Rozana builds bridges of understanding between Israelis and Palestinians through healthcare. We conducted two speaking tours with Israeli and Palestinian doctors, raising funds to expand treatment of Palestinians in Israeli hospitals and build healthcare capacity on the West Bank and in Gaza.
Some have asked whether it is wise that not-for-profits ask for support at a time when people are dealing with the health crisis and resultant economic uncertainty. We truly understand this concern, but at the same time the need for our programming and advocacy for our community continues. For this reason, we hope you are able to express your commitment and renew your Ameinu membership. Please go to our membership page and submit your dues payment of $36, $50, $80 or $150.
You can also send us a check to:
Ameinu
25 Broadway 9th Floor
New York NY 10004
Thank you so much in advance and may you and those you love remain strong and healthy.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Bob
President
P.S. Renewing your membership at the $150 level will help us immensely in these challenging times.
