From the left: Kathleen Peratis; Marilyn Kleinberg Neimark; Lizzy Ratner; Rebecca Vilkomerson and J.J. Goldberg
The back-and-forth over the question of Israeli democracy was aired in a Jewish space: Beit Simchat Torah, a progressive synagogue that caters to lesbian and gay Jews. All of the panelists were Jews, and the discussion was organized by progressive Jewish activists and moderated by Lizzy Ratner, a New York-based journalist read the article on Mondoweiss
Last year, at two panels on Jewish Responses to Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS), the questions above were among those that people asked. We are interested in continuing this discussion in the Jewish community and more broadly. This panel will reflect a range of perspectives among members of the Jewish community—all by people committed to peace and justice in Israel/Palestine. Our goal is to share different Jewish perspectives, including those often silenced within the Jewish community, and to move this discussion beyond the Jewish community itself.
Cosponsors of this program are individuals with different perspectives on these questions, but all strongly defend an open exchange of views on issues of concern to our community and to people of conscience everywhere: Anita Altman, Elisheva Goldberg, Adam Horowitz, Rabbi David Ingber, Melanie Kaye/Kantrowitz, Alice Kessler-Harris, Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Hannah Mermelstein, Donna Nevel, Alicia Ostriker, Letty Cottin Pogrebin, Michael Ratner, MJ Rosenberg, James Schamus, Dorothy Zellner.
MODERATOR: Lizzy Ratner, Journalist; co-editor, “The Goldstone Report: The Legacy of the Landmark Investigation of the Gaza Conflict”
PANELISTS: Kathleen Peratis, Partner Outten & Golden LLP focusing on employment law; cochair Middle East North Africa advisory committee Human Rights Watch; board member Americans for Peace Now
Rebecca Vilkomerson, Executive director, Jewish Voice for Peace
JJ Goldberg, currently editor-at-large of the Jewish Daily Forward, formerly editor in chief, author of “Jewish Power: Inside the American Jewish Establishment”
Marilyn Kleinberg Neimark, Co-host for the past 18 years of “Beyond the Pale,” a program of progressive Jewish politics & culture on WBAI radio.
Panel discussion at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah April 4, 2013
Panel and discussion on “Jewish Perspectives: Is Israel—or can it be—a democracy? Is there—or can there be—equality in Israel? Can a Jewish state be democratic?”
Jews Say No: Not In Our Name! 