Political Organizations AIPAC – The American Israel Public Affairs Committee Southeast Regional Office PO Box 468122 Atlanta, GA 31146 www.aipac.org (770) 541-7610 sereg@aipac.org Local contacts Arthur Perlen aperlen@centenretail.com Fred Zimmerman fredz@foursquared.com The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is a bipartisan organization of U.S. citizens committed solely to strengthening, protecting and promoting the U.S.-Israel relationship in ways that enhance the security of the United States and Israel. AIPAC urges all members of Congress to support Israel through foreign aid, government partnerships, joint anti-terrorism efforts, and the promotion of peace through a negotiated two-state solution — a Jewish state of Israel living alongside a demilitarized Palestinian state. A registered domestic lobby supported by private contributions, AIPAC does not receive direction or financial assistance from Israel, any national organization or any foreign group. AIPAC is not a political action committee. It does not rate, endorse or contribute to candidates. Nashville is part of AIPAC’s Southeast Regional Office, which serves nine Southern states. Members of Nashville’s Jewish community participate in the organization and its annual policy conference. AIPAC also sponsors educational events here.
J Street Nashville P.O. Box 58525 Nashville, TN 37205 www.Jstreet.org/nashville Shayna Abrams hapshepsute@gmail.com J Street Nashville is the local chapter of J Street, the national political home for pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans. The organization gives political voice to mainstream American Jews and other supporters of Israel who believe that a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is essential to Israel’s survival as the national home of the Jewish people and a vibrant democracy. J Street’s mission is twofold: first, to support American diplomatic leadership in helping to achieve a two-state solution be-
tween Israel and the Palestinians, as well as a broader regional peace; second, to ensure open discussion of Israel and the Middle East in national politics and the American Jewish community. J Street Nashville, part of the J Street Educational Foundation, offers a variety of educational activities and opportunities. Such events include nationally and internationally recognized speakers, and smaller group presentations on various topics, relating to American Jewish concerns regarding Israel and the Middle East.
Nashville Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Irwin Venick and Avi Poster www.jsjrnashville.org jsjrnashville@gmail.com The Nashville Jewish Social Justice Roundtable is an independent, non-partisan Jewish voice for progressive views on social justice issues including poverty, affordable housing, education, mass incarceration, employment and voting rights primarily focused on local and state concerns. Formed in 2016 and open to all members of the Jewish community, the NJSJR stands on the Jewish moral values of mishpat (justice for all); tzedakah (social justice); gemilut hesedim (acts of loving kindness) and rahamim (compassion for those in need). Our mission is to advocate in support of solutions to problems that will advance the principles of democratic pluralism, religious freedom and economic justice. When appropriate, NJSJR takes positions on specific social justice issues and encourages its members to advocate for those positions by contacting civic leaders and others via email and telephone, being sure to let them know that the opinion expressed is from this Nashville Jewish organization. At other times, NJSJR will join with groups in the broader Nashville community to strengthen advocacy for social justice issues. NJSJR also sponsors membership meetings to educate its members and the larger Jewish community about timely concerns. Over time NJSJR plans to affiliate with national Jewish social justice organizations to better educate its members and the greater Nashville Jewish community on national issues of specific local and state concern. As NJSJR is primarily concerned about local and state social justice issues, it does not address issues involving Israel or the Middle East. Anyone interested in joining the Nashville Jewish Social Justice Roundtable can sign up at http://jsjrnashville.org. To learn more about NJSJR contact Irwin Venick (irwin.venick@gmail. com or (615) 390-6689) or Avi Poster (aviposter4@gmail.com or (615) 414-2396). The Guide to Jewish Nashville 2020 • 51
