GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS
DOING MIDDLE EAST PEACE WORK*

The Jewish Congregational Network (The Congregational Network/JCN)
jcnboston@earthlink.net

"Works to promote discussion and deeper understanding within the greater Boston Jewish community of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. JCN is firmly committed to the existence of the State of Israel and to a just resolution of the Middle East struggle that guarantees security for all the inhabitants of the region. Our primary purpose is to encourage alternative voices that are often excluded from institutional Jewish discourse by providing safe, supportive spaces for conversation."
Participation by members of Greater Boston synagogues, congregations, and organizations.

"A Boston-based group . . . to clearly state that those national and local Jewish organizations proclaiming unconditional support for Israeli government actions and vehement condemnation of all forms of Palestinian resistance did not speak for us and to press for a just resolution of the conflict between the Palestinian Arab and Israeli Jewish peoples. In our work, we are both inspired by and committed to the tradition of justice that infuses Jewish teachings, Jewish practice and Jewish history."
Supports events, demonstrations, and statements calling for an end to the occupation and rights for Palestinians.

Tikkun Community
www.Tikkun.org

Committed to building community around social justice and with a spiritual basis. The local Tikkun community is actively working
(in connection with the national group) towards peace in the Mid-East.

Visions of Peace with Justice in Israel/Palestine (Visions/VOPJ)
www.vopj.org

"An alliance of Jews working to promote a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians based on mutual respect, justice, and equality. Our members, representing a diverse cross-section of the Jewish community, united in our desire to see Israel at peace and growing as a vibrant, secular democratic society. We share a commitment to the traditional Jewish idea of tzedek (justice), which compels us to speak out against all unjust behavior. We resolutely maintain that the indiscriminate support of Israeli policy voiced by many institutional Jewish organizations does not speak for us. Therefore, we offer an alternative voice rooted in traditional Jewish values and committed to a just resolution in Israel/Palestine. Our goal is to encourage a broad-based discussion about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with special emphasis on its root causes and its current impact on daily life in the region."
Currently working actively against the occupation.

Women in Black
jewishwomenactivists@yahoo.com

Sponsors regular vigils (usually in Coolidge Corner, Brookline) and other events.

Workmen’s Circle Mid-East Working Group (WCMEWG)
wcircle@gis.net

A committee of WC exploring various aspects of the Mid-East conflict. An organizer of Guy Grossman’s Boston tour.

American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)
www.adc.org

"A Civil Rights Organization committed to defending the rights of people of Arab descent
and promoting their rich cultural heritage."

American-Friends Service Committee
www.afsc.org (national site) www.afsc.org/afscnehp.htm (New England Regional Office site)

Society of Friends (Quaker) pacifist group working for social change. Works on many humanitarian causes, including Middle East issues. NE Office publishes Peaceworks.

We "are united by the belief that peace will only last when there is justice for the Palestinian people. A true peace will begin only when there is acknowledgement of the losses suffered by the Palestinian people and a recognition of their individual and collective rights. A just solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict necessitates an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, including the evacuation of all Israeli settlements; self-determination for the Palestinian people; and the application of international laws and UN resolutions. We sponsor rallies, teach-ins and media campaigns throughout the Boston area to educate people about the history of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the current Intifada.

"An ecumenical center for Palestinian Liberation Theology which seeks to make the Gospel contextually relevant. In Arabic Sabeel means 'The Way' and also a 'Spring of Water'. Sabeel strives to develop a spirituality based on justice, peace, nonviolence, liberation and reconciliation for the different national and faith communities. Sabeel also works to promote a more accurate international awareness regarding the identity, presence, and witness of Palestinian Christians."
Works with other groups, including Jeff Halper’s Israeli Committee Against Housing Demolitions and Rabbis for Human Rights.

"An independent agency committed to progressive social change. We work with more than 30 community-based partner organizations that are transforming their societies as they struggle to secure social, political, economic and cultural rights."
Works with a number of human rights, humanitarian, and relief organizations in Palestine.

International Action Center (IAC)
www.iacenter.org  - National site links to Boston site

"Information, Activism, and Resistance to U.S. Militarism, War, and Corporate Greed,
Linking with Struggles Against Racism and Oppression within the United States"
Radical national group with Boston chapter – works on many issues, including strong pro-Palestinian stand.

National Lawyer’s Guild
www.nlg.org (National) - nlgmass@igc.org (Local Contact)

National organization of lawyers doing social justice work – they have a committee on the Middle East

A Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP – San Francisco)
www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org

". . . a San Francisco Bay Area grassroots organization dedicated to the human, civil and economic rights of Jews, Palestinians, and all peoples in the Middle East. Beyond our focus on the Middle East, JVP aims to build a community of activists working together on issues of social and economic justice.

Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel (JPPI – Washington D.C.)
www.jppi.org

"a Washington, D.C.based group of American Jews who believe that a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in Palestine and Israel is attainable through negotiations based on international law and the implementation of relevant United Nations (UN) resolutions."
Heavy emphasis on lobbying and coalition building:
the rime mover of "Brit Tzedek v’Shalom" – The Alliance of Justice and Peace (see above).

Not In My Name (NIMN – Chicago)
www.nimn.org

". . . to work for a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. We believe that the first step toward attaining peace must be for Israel to end its occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem."
Helped found JUNITY (See above) and hosts US "Courage to Refuse" web site.

Jews for a Just Peace (JFJP – Vancouver)
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/S_Aberle/

Brit Tzedek v’Shalom – Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace
www.brittzedek.org

"A U.S. Jewish organization working toward a just, viable and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinian people. As a Jewish organization, Brit Tzedek v'Shalom is deeply committed to the well-being of Israel and all of its neighbors."
A new group, with a focus on national organizing and lobbying against the occupation.

Jewish Peace Fellowship (JPF)
www.jewishpeacefellowship.org

Long-time Jewish pacifist group.

Jewish Unity for a Just Peace (JUNITY)
www.junity.org

"an international gathering of grassroots Jewish activists who support a just, viable and lasting peace
based on the principles of international law, requiring a complete end
to Israel's Occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip."
A national group out of Chicago, among other things, hosts the US "Courage to Refuse" web site.

Shalom Center
www.shalomcntr.org

Brings Jewish spirituality, tradition, and experience to bear on issues of tikkun olam — pursuing peace, seeking justice, healing the earth, and building community. Its director is Rabbi Arthur Waskow. Works on several issues including Middle East peace.

Alternative Information Center – www.alternativenews.org - just what it says
 

B’Tselem - www.btselem.org

 respected Israeli human rights group, publishes reports on conditions in occupied Palestine.
 

Peace Now - www.peacenow.org

long-time umbrella group for the Israeli Peace Movement
 

Coalition of Women for a Just Peace - www.coalitionofwomen4peace.org

 long-time activists
 

Gush Shalom - www.gush-shalom.org

first wave of refusers
 

Israeli Committee Against Home Demolitions - www.icahd.org

timely, unfortunately necessary work
 

Parents Circle - at www.theparentscircle.com,

Israeli and Palestinian parents who have lost children in the conflict, working together for peace
 

Physicians for Human Rights - Israel - www.derechos.net/ngo/phr/

very important work
 

Rabbis for Human Rights - www.rhr.israel.net

Only group in Israel with rabbis from all the major denominations. Many human rights initiatives including planting olive trees, aid to Palestinian villages, etc.
 

Seeds of Peace - www.seedsofpeace.org

bringing together Israeli, Jewish, and Palestinian youths
 

Ta’ayush - www.taayush.tripod.com

Arabs and Jews bringing immediate humanitarian aid

* This list is for information only. These are independent groups, not affiliated with, or endorsed by the Massachusetts Council of Churches.