J Street as the Mainstream of the Democratic Party: Where is the 50-Yard LineIt’s clear that the American electorate is increasingly divided not only over issues like the Israel-Gaza war, but also along demographic lines. At the same time, the old playbook for winning campaigns is growing stale and outdated, with increasing pressure to both create memorable moments and maintain specific ideologies. In this session, we’ll discuss the impacts our issues are having on political campaigns in the 2026 election cycle. What lessons can we learn from races like the NYC mayoral primary? More importantly, can they be applied to the races Democrats need to win to regain majorities in the House and Senate?

Creating a Political Horizon and Reimagining the Future, TogetherThis moment of war threatens not only lives, but also our belief that change is possible. Yet without a bold political vision, there can be no rebuilding in Gaza, no safety for Israelis and no dignity for Palestinians. This session will explore pragmatic, forward-looking frameworks that move beyond failed politics to create a shared political horizon for two sovereign states – Israel and Palestine – and a future that is bound by shared interests. Hear how Israeli and Palestinian leaders are reimagining possibilities for peace, not as utopia, but as a viable path out of conflict and toward a just future for all.

Word on the Street LIVE comes to the National Summit: Open Mic with JeremyOne of the unique opportunities at the National Leadership Summit is spending time with J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami. It’s a chance to ask questions, share thoughts, explore organizational strategy, dig into specific positions and gain insights into the priorities and new initiatives that the movement will be pursuing. Come prepared with your questions and ideas.

The Policy Center Presents: The Geopolitics of the Arab WorldAs the world’s attention shifts between Gaza and Iran, the rest of the region continues to undergo rapid change. In Syria, the dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad was toppled and replaced by a new interim government that has committed to stable relations with its neighbors. In Lebanon, Hezbollah has been significantly diminished by the Israeli military, and the Lebanese people recently elected new leadership that is also committed to Israel-Lebanon stability. Meanwhile, Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Yemen continue to undermine regional security, and Saudi Arabia is accelerating towards regional hegemony and warmer relations with the West. To discuss the evolving geopolitical landscape of the wider Arab world, the J Street Policy Center will be hosting three former US government officials who served in the Middle East.

Making the Ask (or Setting Up Someone Who Will!)Your chapter has brought in new people, you’ve cultivated relationships, and now it’s time for the next step: asking them explicitly to support J Street financially. Whether you’re ready to make the ask yourself, or want to tee up another leader or staff member to do it, this session will give you the tools to make it happen. We’ll demystify what it means to “make an ask,” share real-life examples of successful fundraising conversations, and show how anyone – regardless of experience – can play a critical role. If you’re ready to level up your fundraising game or want to be the ultimate wing-person for someone else’s ask, this session is for you.

Welcome DinnerJ Street will host a Welcome Dinner to kick off our National Leadership Summit. A full reception-style dinner will be served.

Film Screening: Holding LiatJoin us for a special screening of Holding Liat, a gripping 2025 documentary directed by Brandon Kramer and produced by Darren Aronofsky. The film follows the story of Liat Beinin Atzili, an Israeli-American woman kidnapped with her husband during the October 7 attacks, and the emotional journey of her family as they confront the personal and political complexities of fighting for her release. Holding Liat premiered at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the Berlinale Documentary Film Award. The screening will be followed by a group discussion.

Opening Plenary: Reality Check – Israel, the Region, and the Politicization of AntisemitismAs we open this year’s Fall National Leadership Summit, we take a hard look at the political and moral crossroads we face – both in Israel and the United States. We will examine the state of affairs in Israel, Palestine and the Middle East with a panel of policymakers that recently returned from a Len Hill Education Fund Program delegation to the region. As the war in Gaza grinds on with devastating humanitarian consequences and growing regional instability, they’ll reflect on what they saw, what’s at stake there and in the broader region, and how US policy can help shape a new reality – one that challenges the extremism of the Netanyahu government and prioritizes peace, safety, accountability, and human rights.

Extremism in the US has also reached new heights, as the politicization of antisemitism has taken new and dangerous forms. A second panel will examine how Trump-aligned forces are weaponizing the fight against antisemitism to silence criticism of Israeli policy, crack down on student dissent, and drive wedges within the Democratic Party. Together, we’ll consider the role of the Jewish community and its institutions in standing up to this agenda and simultaneously protecting Jews while fighting for a democracy that protects free speech and safeguards the rights of minorities.

The Policy Center Presents: The State of Palestinian Politics and Public OpinionAs a result of the Gaza War and continued volatility in the West Bank, Palestinian politics and public opinion are as fractured as ever. The occupied Palestinian territories remain sharply divided. Hamas’ popularity is declining in Gaza, but remains steady in the West Bank, and the Palestinian Authority continues to have minimal credibility among Palestinians in both the West Bank and Gaza. PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is aging, succession plans are uncertain, and Palestinian unity remains elusive. The Palestinian people are suffering from a lack of accountable leadership that truly reflects their national aspirations, serves their interests and meets their daily needs. To discuss the tenuous state of Palestinian politics and public opinion within Palestinian society, the J Street Policy Center will host two Palestinian analysts and the former US special representative for Palestinian affairs.

Growing and Sustaining our Pro-Peace Campus MovementJoin us for an update on J Street U’s critical work fostering nuanced, pro-peace dialogue on college campuses nationwide. As political polarization intensifies and the new administration’s policies take shape, J Street U has emerged as a vital voice for nuance and empathy. This session will explore how we’re cultivating thoughtful student leaders who can navigate complex conversations, build inclusive coalitions, and advance pro-peace advocacy even in challenging political environments. We’ll share insights from our recent campus organizing efforts and discuss how J Street U is expanding its reach to new universities and communities.

This Moment in Israeli PoliticsThrough the attempted judicial overhaul to the horrors of the October 7 attacks and nearly two years of war, Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government have clung to power. Mounting tensions with ultra-Orthodox parties now leave the coalition more fragile than ever. For nearly two years, a majority of Israelis have expressed a desire for a change in government. With growing awareness of the devastation in Gaza and louder calls for an immediate end to the war, the demand for change is reaching a new intensity. What challenges lie ahead for this government when the Knesset returns from summer recess? What are the real prospects for change – and who could lead it? This session will dive into the current volatile political landscape in Israel and what may come next.

Reckoning with the Failure of the Peace ProcessHamas’ brutal massacre of over 1,200 Israelis on October 7, and Israel’s decimation of Gaza in the subsequent war mark the lowest point in a decades-long US effort to broker a two-state solution. In his recently released book, Tomorrow is Yesterday, Robert Malley, along with his Palestinian co-author Hussein Agha, draws on his decades of experience working on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, offering a candid and unsettling account of how the hopes of Oslo evolved into today’s horrors. Malley joins us today alongside the former US Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, Frank Lowenstein, to reflect on why past efforts fell short and how the US can act as a more effective broker in the wake of the Gaza War.

Navigating J Street with Jeremy Ben-AmiJoin J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami for an introduction to our mission and impact as the leading pro-Israel, pro-peace organization in the United States. This comprehensive session explores J Street’s work – from political advocacy and strategic engagement to grassroots activism and community building. Learn how we build influence, drive change and empower supporters like you to help shape a just, democratic future for both Israelis and Palestinians.

FC LunchThe Finance Committee is invited to an exclusive lunch featuring a discussion with JB Poersch, Executive Director of the Senate Majority PAC. We will talk about current events, the political environment, and the path to a blue Senate.

Bridging Divides, Healing Lives: People-to-People Peacebuilding Amid WarIn the face of deepening violence, political paralysis and widespread despair, the prospects for peacebuilding can feel increasingly distant. Even in this moment of war, courageous Israeli and Palestinian peacebuilders are working directly with one another, seeking to cultivate the human connections that sustain hope for peace, collaboratively working to meet urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, while also fostering relationships that can carry forward into a just and lasting future. This session will spotlight powerful people-to-people initiatives that are bridging divides, easing suffering and creating the trust and infrastructure necessary for long-term peace while addressing the most urgent needs of the people on the ground. Join us to learn how these leaders are navigating today’s war-torn reality and why they remain committed to working together to build a shared future.

The Road to the MajorityJust over a year out from the 2026 midterms, the battlefield has already taken shape. After tough losses in 2024, Democrats now face a strong window of opportunity to reclaim ground. In this session, we’ll discuss where key races are developing and how national trends, redistricting shifts, and demographic changes are reshaping the fight for control. We’ll dig into both offensive and defensive priorities, explore the ingredients of a winning coalition and examine how our movement can help power the campaigns that will define this critical cycle.

Long-term Advocacy to Address West Bank Violence Prevention in a Republican Held CongressAs settler violence escalates – taking the lives of two Americans in recent months – J Street is working with congressional partners to ensure that extremist actors face real consequences. With Trump’s rescission of Biden’s executive order sanctioning violent settlers on day one of his administration, it’s critical to build durable, long-term strategies to advance accountability, even in a Republican-held Congress. This session will explore how J Street is elevating the West Bank Violence Prevention Act this Congress. What are the most effective ways to engage Congress? How do we shift the political narrative? And how can region-based organizing help us reach key targets? Join us for a hands-on strategy session to help shape J Street advocacy.

Afternoon Plenary: Global Stakes, Local Fights – Confronting Extremism & Restoring Democratic ValuesIn the US, Israel, and around the world, the foundations of democracy are under assault—from authoritarian leaders, rising extremism, and democratic institutions under siege.

In this plenary, we’ll hear from Israeli leaders fighting to restore values and democratic norms in Israel and pushing back against the extremism of the Netanyahu government. They will discuss their work to reclaim Israel’s founding vision as a just, democratic state – a nation that strives to serve as a moral beacon rather than an international outlier and aggressor.

Here at home, Members of Congress are striving to lead with principle from the minority, attempting to hold the line as the executive branch increasingly undermines constitutional checks and balances. In the face of growing pressure and political risk, they are speaking out with clarity on US policy in the region – and defending core democratic values at home. We will examine what it takes to fight back against the rising threat of Trumpism in the United States. And as we head into a pivotal election year, we’ll discuss how we can mobilize pro-democracy constituencies to meet this moment and galvanize the political will needed to safeguard democracy on both sides of the ocean.

PAC Event (Separately Ticketed)The evening will feature Senator Sherrod Brown, who recently announced his comeback bid against GOP incumbent appointee John Husted. Sherrod, a longtime J Street champion and one of our strongest allies on Capitol Hill, has turned the Ohio Senate race into one of the most competitive red-to-blue opportunities of the cycle. If there’s any path to retaking a pro-peace, Democratic majority in the Senate, it’s reliant on Sherrod’s victory.

For further information, please reach out to J Street’s Deputy Political Director, Lexi Goldwyn ([email protected]).

Luggage Storage (off-site)