J STREET COMES TO CLEVELAND

J STREET COMES TO CLEVELAND
February 4th, 2010 at 7:00pm
Bertram Woods Branch of Shaker Library
20600 Fayette Rd. Shaker Heights

[Cleveland]--J Street, the political voice of the pro-Israel, pro-peace movement, is setting up shop inCleveland. Read article in Cleveland Jewish News.

The group, which has sparked conversation in political and Jewish community circles across the country about the connection between Israel’s future as a democratic Jewish homeland and achieving a two-state resolution, will officially launch J Street Cleveland at a public event on February 4th at 7:00 at Bertram Woods Branch of Shaker library, 20600 Fayette Rd. Shaker Heights. The kick-off will feature simulcast remarks by J Street’s executive director, Jeremy Ben-Ami.

J Street Cleveland‘s launch is part of J Street’s new national grassroots field program, which will both broaden and deepen the presence of the pro-Israel, pro-peace movement in communities across the country. The event in Cleveland will coincide with dozens of similar events in other cities.

“We’re thrilled that local leaders and activists in Cleveland will enhance J Street’s advocacy for strong USefforts to achieve peace and security in the Middle East,” said Jeremy Ben-Ami. “A grassroots network of pro-Israel, pro-peace advocates is an essential component of our work in pursuit of a two-state solution and a regional, comprehensive peace.”

J Street Cleveland will integrate the city’s Brit Tzedek v’Shalom chapter, and also aims to draw new supporters from J Street’s substantial netroots base in the area.

“By growing the pro-Israel, pro-peace movement in Cleveland, we aim to create the political space in our community for a vibrant discussion of how we best secure Israel’s future as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people,” said Alan Federman. “We look forward to engaging and mobilizing our community as effective advocates for a two-state solution and true peace and security for Israel.”

Cleveland host committee: Sherry Ball, David Berenson, Alan Federman, Goe Buchwald Gelles, Mark Davidson, Marty Gelfand, Bob Greenbaum, Dana Hercberas, Debra Hirschberg, Stuart Schultz, Sue Wolpert, Richard Zigmond.

J Street, billed in a feature story by the New York Times Magazine as “The New Israel Lobby,” was founded in April 2008 to promote meaningful American leadership to end the Arab-Israeli and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts. Its new national grassroots program and field operations fall under the auspices of the J Street Education Fund, Inc, an educational nonprofit which educates targeted communities about the need for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, raises the visibility of a mainstream pro-peace, pro-Israel presence within the American Jewish community, and promotes open, dynamic and spirited conversation about how to best advance the interests and future of a democratic, Jewish Israel.

The J Street family of organizations also includes J Street and JStreetPAC. J Street, a nonprofit lobby, uses online organizing, advocacy and education to political and popular support for American leadership to achieve peace and security in the Middle East. JStreetPAC, a legally independent political action committee, works to demonstrates that there is meaningful political and financial support available to candidates for federal office from large numbers of Americans who believe a new direction in American policy will advance U.S. interests in the Middle East and promote real peace and security for Israel and the region.

CONTACT: Alan Federman
January 18, 2010

216-321-7010
acf1950@aol.com