J Street Mourns the Loss of Marcia Freedman, A Visionary Activist for Progress and Peace

September 22, 2021

J Street mourns the loss of Marcia Freedman, a beloved, outspoken and visionary activist for Israeli-Palestinian peace and a wide range of progressive causes.

As an Israeli-American who spent long stretches of her life living in both countries, Marcia was a pioneer in fighting for deeply necessary progress in so many areas, including the rights of women and LGBTQ people. In the 1970’s she served as a Member of Knesset and helped to lead and grow the Israeli feminist movement. She became a major early champion of independent Palestinian statehood and the two-state solution, embracing the idea of two states for two peoples long before it was widely accepted.

Marcia helped found and lead Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, which played a critical role in the development of the pro-Israel, pro-peace movement in the United States and helped pave the way for the later creation and work of J Street. When Brit Tzedek v’Shalom merged with J Street, she became a member of J Street’s National Advisory Board and an active member of our chapter in the Bay Area. Her warmth, wisdom, energy and moral clarity made her an inspiring presence at J Street National Conferences and a powerful voice for the movement she did so much to help build.

At this time our thoughts are with Marcia’s family and friends, and with all those who knew and loved her. May her memory be for a blessing.