Education/Outreach

JVP works to educate Jews and non-Jews alike about the history and complex issues involved with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In promoting understanding of both Israelis and Palestinians, JVP hopes to enable Americans to make wise decisions about US foreign policy and to open the door for Jews to re-examine deeply entrenched beliefs about the origins of the conflict. Because of our deep hope for peace for Israelis and Palestinians, we work to distribute educational literature at peace and justice as well as cultural events of all kinds. We work on maintaining a strong presence in local synagogues, with the desire to create a forum for healthy dialogue between Jews on the issue of the Middle East. The education/outreach committee recently had a stunning success with its eight-week lecture series on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. With five of the country's top Middle East History professors, the series brought out over seventy-five people every Monday night for eight weeks in San Francisco's Geary Theater. With such a remarkable success in communicating the historical aspect of the conflict, we are working to open space for heart-centered dialogue on the topic of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by coordinating a film/video series with films that portray the human and deeply emotional side of the conflict. For more information, contact education@jewishvoiceforpeace.org

Jewish-Palestinian Solidarity Committee

The Jewish-Palestinian Solidarity Committee (JPSC) supports Israeli and Palestinian peace activists. We work in solidarity with those who oppose the Israeli military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. We support Israeli soldiers who refuse to serve in the Occupied Territories and those who refuse to serve in the army for political reasons and reasons of conscience.

JPSC has organized events that support the Rebuilding Homes Campaign, Yesh Gvul, New Profile, and presented speakers from those groups. We provide a forum for other groups and actions supporting Palestinians who are resisting the Occupation, expansion of settlements, and expropriation of land. We work in support of Palestinian and Israeli groups committed to nonviolent resistance to the Occupation, including the International Solidarity Movement and Ta'ayush. We support cultural and political exchanges not only in Israel and Palestine but locally as well. We recently helped sponsor an evening of Arabic and Jewish culture at the Arab Cultural Center in San Francisco, and will continue to learn about and celebrate both cultures together.

We periodically sell organic olive oil imported from Palestine, an activity that supports Palestinian farmers who grow and harvest the olives, and educates the public by providing facts about Palestinian life under occupation. Proceeds have gone to the farmers, and additional proceeds will be divided among organizations working on behalf of Palestinian human rights and peace between Israel and Palestine. We welcome your interest in our committee!

The JPSC committee meets the second Wednesday of every month. For more information and the location of the next meeting, e-mail jpsc@jewishvoiceforpeace.org