I just returned from the First National J Street conference, which took place from Oct. 25-28, 2009 in Washington D.C. For those who do not know about J Street, it bills itself as “the political arm of the Pro-Israel, Pro-Peace movement,” and is viewed in the mainstream media as a progressive Jewish alternative lobby to the traditional AIPAC politicos. J Street is supported by a number of “participating organizations.” While I will not enumerate them all, they range from the pre-World War I (antediluvian) Workmen’s Circle, to which my grandparents belonged to the Congress of Secular Jewish Organizations, to ALEPH, a Jewish Renewal group that claims to be “in partnership with the Divine” and The Jewish Peace Lobby, whose membership includes 400 rabbis. There were over 1500 participants at this event — a lot of suits and ties, plenty of jewelry and yarmulkes, but only a few tee shirts and no black hats. (I didn’t over-dress for the occasion.) Though J Street’s slogan is “Pro-Israel, Pro-Peace,” during the event, the youth affiliate voted to drop the “Pro-Israel” part.) On the other side of the equation, there were a number of congress-people who took pains to hint at their bravery for appearing, given the financial arm twisting that the AIPAC crowd can muster. So, though it’s reputed to be a leftist outfit, I think that this means a spectrum from barely left of center to someplace to the right of advocacy of “Palestine from the river to the sea.” Read the rest of this entry »