At a time when American Middle East policy is in chaos and our democratic institutions and values are under threat, it's important now more than ever for us to come together and reassert our commitment to championing our values as we head into a challenging new year.
SPEAKERS
Nancy Reichman, Conference Co-Chair, J Street
Michael Young, Conference Co-Chair, J Street
INTRODUCTION
Jessica Smith, Chief Operating Officer, J Street
J Street U National Board
We're excited to partner with Crooked Media for the opening night of this year's conference. Former Obama officials Ben Rhodes and Tommy Vietor will be joined by New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg to host a live recording of their hit podcast Pod Save The World.
MODERATORS
Tommy Vietor, Host, Pod Save the World
Ben Rhodes, Host, Pod Save the World
Michelle Goldberg, Columnist, New York Times
PANELISTS
Maisam Jaljuli, Member of the National Leadership, Standing Together
Mikhail Manekin, Director, Alliance for Israel's Future Fellowship
We find ourselves once again in the midst of a post-election coalition building period, following Netanyahu’s pre-indictment hearing, waiting to see how it all unfolds. The most recent Israeli election brought vicious campaign rhetoric, lowlighted by Netanyahu’s incitement against minorities, attacks on the media, violations of election law and alarming pledges to annex parts of the West Bank. During the election, cynical political operatives attempted to manipulate public opinion via social networks, and those networks became notorious as hotbeds for “fake news.” In this political environment, public trust in the media, leaders and state institutions has declined. The public is searching for responsible sources that can provide meaning and context to current affairs. How can the media help safeguard democracy in an increasingly hostile environment? What do the recent election results and government coalition building efforts tell us about the priorities of Israelis and their political leaders?
MODERATOR
Anat Saragusti, Journalist and Publicist
PANELISTS
Amb. Alon Pinkas Former Consul General, Israeli Consulate of New York
Member of Knesset Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh, Member of Knesset, Blue and White Party
Amit Tibon, Washington Correspondent, Haaretz
In recent years, anti-Semitism has resurfaced as an urgent threat to American Jews -- and a source of contention in our politics. Join us for an in-depth and timely conversation on confronting and defeating anti-Semitism in our current political climate.
MODERATOR
Rabbi Jill Jacobs, Executive Director, T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
PANELISTS
Peter Beinart, Professor of Journalism and Political Science at the City University of New York
Maya Berry, Executive Director, Arab American Institute
Haile Soifer, Executive Director, Jewish Democratic Council of America
Eric Ward, Executive Director, Western States Center
With Jared Kushner and David Friedman leading the way, the Trump administration has reversed decades of bipartisan American policy aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Join our panel of Middle East policy experts in exploring the short- and long-term implications of the past three years on the prospects for reviving diplomacy -- and what options the next administration will have in working with leadership on both sides who are less willing to come to the table than ever.
MODERATOR
Debra Shushan, Director of Policy and Government Relations, Americans for Peace Now
PANELISTS
Khaled Elgindy, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution
Ilan Goldenberg, Senior Fellow and Director of the Middle East Security Program, Center for a New American Security
Dr. Dahlia Scheindlin, Political Analyst, Public Opinion Expert
Daniel Seidemann, Founder and Director, Terrestrial Jerusalem
Join our panel of political experts as they explore the shifting and evolving conversations around Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in our current election cycle.
MODERATOR
Ben Shnider, Vice President of Political Affairs and Strategy, J Street
PANELISTS
Peter Beinart, Professor of Journalism and Political Science, City University of New York
Karen Finney, Democratic Strategist
Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers
Presidential Candidate Interviews
Pod Save the World’s Ben Rhodes and Tommy Vietor will interview 2020 presidential candidates about the US-Israel relationship, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the future of American foreign policy.
Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator from Minnesota
Pittsburgh Tree of Life Memorial
Rabbi John Rosove, Co-Chair, J Street Rabbinic & Cantorial Cabinet
Nancy Bernstein, Board Member, J Street
Rise to the Moment
In Sunday night’s signature plenary, political and civil society leaders from the US and Israel will share their newest strategies and thinking for Rising to the Moment to beat back threats of racism and right-wing nationalism in order to build a better, more just and more peaceful future.
MODERATORS
Jeremy Ben-Ami, President, J Street
Yael Patir, Israel Director, J Street
PANELISTS
Chen Arieli, Deputy Mayor, Tel Aviv-Yafo
Rami Hod, Executive Director, Berl Katznelson Center
Rabbi Jill Jacobs, Executive Director, T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
Brad Lander, Council Member, New York City Council
Fida Nara, Co-Director, Mahapach-Taghir
Maya Peretz, Head of Public Transportation Sector, Koach LaOvdim
Samah Salaime, Director of Communications and Development, Wahat al-Salam Neve Shalom
Daniel Sokatch, CEO, New Israel Fund
Pod Save the World’s Ben Rhodes and Tommy Vietor will interview 2020 presidential candidates about the US-Israel relationship, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the future of American foreign policy.
CANDIDATES
Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Mayor of South Bend, Indiana
Secretary Julián Castro, Former US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
FEATURED REMARKS
Hannah Fajer, Vice President for the Southeast Region, J Street U
FEATURED REMARKS
Ehud Barak, Former Israeli Prime Minister
Our Boys Presentation
Our Boys, a co-production of Keshet Media Group and HBO, chronicles the violence and aftermath of the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers and the price-tag killing of a 16-year-old Palestinian. It has become must-watch television on the cable giant and stirred a passionate and vitriolic debate in Israel. J Street is proud to welcome the creators of Our Boys to our 2019 National Conference for a nuanced, in-depth discussion of their uncompromising portrayal of a wrenching moment in recent Israeli history.
PANELISTS
Tawfik Abu Wael, Co-Creator, Our Boys
Joseph Cedar, Co-Creator, Our Boys
Hagai Levy, Co-Creator, Our Boys
Facing an interminable occupation, eroding democratic space and an aging leadership, young Palestinians are seeking new avenues to build and exercise political power. Join our panel of Palestinian activists and leaders in tracing the origins of today’s emerging young Palestinian political movement and the issues that matter most to them.
MODERATOR
Ezzeldeen Masri, Senior Regional Organizing Director, OneVoice Movement
PANELISTS
Bashar Azzeh, Member of PLO Palestine National Council & Central Council
Abdallah Hamarsheh, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Zimam
Rawan Odeh, Managing Director, New Story Leadership
Presidential Candidate Interviews
Pod Save the World’s Ben Rhodes and Tommy Vietor will interview 2020 presidential candidates about the US-Israel relationship, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the future of American foreign policy.
CANDIDATES
Senator Michael Bennet, Senator from Colorado
Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator from Vermont
FEATURED REMARKS
Dr. Saeb Erakat, Palestinian Chief Negotiator
FEATURED REMARKS
Member of Knesset Ayman Odeh, Joint List leader
FEATURED REMARKS
Member of Knesset Nitzan Horowitz, Head of Party, Meretz
J Street is proud to host an impressive panel of on-the-ground activists in partnership with the The Topol Family Foundation for an exploration of non-violent resistance to the Israeli government’s occupation.
PANEL CHAIR
Sidney Topol, Principal, Topol Family Foundation
MODERATOR
Oriel Eisner, US-based Director of Campaigns, Center for Jewish Non-Violence
PANELISTS
Issa Amro, Co-Founder, Youth Against Settlements
Sulaiman Khatib, Co-Founder, Combatants for Peace
Samah Salaime, Director of Communications and Development, Wahat al-Salam Neve Shalom
Susan Shadid, Strategic Facilitator, Palestinian Non-Violent Activists
Tune in for our capstone event of the year, in which we celebrate our accomplishments, highlight the work of our champions and build momentum behind our agenda for the year ahead.
WELCOME
Alexandra C. Stanton, Chair, J Street
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer
REMARKS
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
2019 TZEDEK V'SHALOM AWARD HONOREES
Pilar Crespi Robert and Stephen Robert
REMARKS
Jeremy Ben-Ami, President, J Street
KEYNOTE CONVERSATION
The Honorable Pramila Jayapal, Representative from Washington
The Honorable Chris Van Hollen, Senator from Maryland
MODERATOR
Jodi Rudoren, Editor in Chief, The Forward