fbpx

Secretary Kerry’s Speech and J Street’s Open Letter to the American Jewish Community

[additional-authors]
June 6, 2013

Earlier this week, Secretary of State John Kerry gave a powerful and important speech at the American Jewish Committee conference, calling on American Jews to make their voices heard in support for negotiation efforts and a two-state solution. The speech was not given much attention from Jewish groups, but I, as a co-chair of the J Street Rabbinic Cabinet, believe that it is important to elevate Kerry’s call and to make sure that our community is vocally supporting Kerry’s efforts in the Middle East.

In that vein, J Street has released an open letter to the American Jewish community, which I hope will be circulated and read by many in an effort to galvanize support for a reinvigorated peace effort. The text of the letter can be found here.

The next few weeks provide a critical window of opportunity to do all that can be done to ensure that negotiations move ahead. I urge you to use this open letter as a jumping off point to encourage to your rabbis, synagogue leadership, friends and communities to vocally and actively support Secretary Kerry’s efforts.

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

When ‘Peace’ Breaks Out

Ultimately, although he presented himself as a disruptor, Trump remains captive to the conceptual frameworks, values and norms of Western societies, which place them at a disadvantage in the current clash of civilizations.

We Need a Long-Term Strategy to Deal with Iran

In handing Tehran the keys to lock up the region without a fight, Trump would become the first American president to sign away his country’s right to ply international waters freely.

Hope Is Not a Foreign Policy

The “deal,” as far as is known right now, is simply a 60-day extension of the ceasefire. The can will be kicked down the road.

A Heavenly Service

During these days when it is so easy to succumb to despair, religious services can serve as a wonderful antidote to hopelessness. Especially this one.

What My Soul Knows Before I Do

Sometimes the soul arrives before the explanation does. And sometimes, just before dawn, the world becomes quiet enough for us to notice the first light.

Jewish Caucus Stands Up

One of the best-kept secrets in California politics is the effectiveness and growing influence of the Legislative Jewish Caucus.

Did Trump and Bibi Lose to a Strait Flush?

There’s no bigger sign of failure than to consider a return to the status quo at Hormuz a “great deal.” Never mind that Iran will no doubt use the Strait as leverage in the future.

Regime Change, Interrupted

Signing an agreement with the remnants of this crumbling regime is tantamount to no agreement at all. This cast of sorry diplomats is duplicity incarnate.

An Israeli Leftist Gets Mugged by Reality

These Palestinian filmmakers didn’t need any excuse to crush an artist. All they needed to know was that Lapid was Israeli. Never mind that he supports boycotting the country they hate.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.