FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 8, 2024

During the High Holidays Jewish Faith and Philanthropy Leaders Launch “In Our Name” Campaign To Fund Palestinian and Jewish Safety Together

Washington, D.C. – Today, one year from the start of the Israeli military’s escalating attacks on Palestine and amidst the holiest period of the Jewish calendar, Jewish leaders from philanthropy and faith-based spaces launched the “In Our Name” campaign, a campaign focused on directing material and financial resources to the freedom, dignity, and self-determination of Palestinians. This campaign aims to not only raise millions in desperately needed funds for groups who have seen philanthropic support cut off in a moment of crisis but a call to action for philanthropy and Jewish institutions more broadly. We’re proud to have raised $1.5 Million already at the start of the High Holidays. 

Rabbi Becky Silverstein (he/him), Lead Rabbinic Organizer of the In Our Name Campaign, released the following statement about what the launch of this campaign means: 

“Over the past year, many Jews have watched in horror as Palestinians have faced continual bombing, intentional starvation, and displacement, in the name of our safety. Despite this, many leaders have engaged in politics of fear and division, claiming that Jewish and Palestinian safety are at odds. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Our freedom is bound together, and by taking bold action to support Palestinians, Jews can, in this holy season, start to move away from fear and isolation and into community and bravery with each other.

“Amidst ongoing censorship of pro-Palestine voices on a large scale, from silencing protestors to cutting off funding sources for pro-Palestine or pro-ceasefire organizations, we are seeing an unprecedented challenge to our shared humanity as Americans, and as Jews. Many people — Jews and non-Jews— are rightfully appalled by the indiscriminate violence against Palestinians and the current escalation that threatens Lebanon and lives across the entire region.

“As Jews and as allies in the larger movement for social justice, we must stand together to reject military solutions, demand an end to genocide and the funding of bombs, and instead put forward an investment in community-led work building Palestinian freedom, safety, and self-determination. It is time to heed the moral and material call to live our Jewish values in the coming holy year, and direct our money and our efforts to the safety and security of the Palestinian people. 

“We must fight for multiracial democracies and against the threat of authoritarianism at home and abroad in order to keep all of us safe. None of us are free until we are all free.”

Additional Quotes: 

“My great-grandfather Jacob Blaustein, was the President of the American Jewish Committee in the early years of Israel’s founding, and a friend of Ben Gurion. Though much of his, and my family’s legacy has been support for Israel, I know that he would reject both Israel’s genocide of Palestinians and the US’s unconditional military support. It is his words that guide me to join with my family to support Palestinian freedom, dignity, and self-determination through the In Our Name campaign. He said ‘it is our duty to work for a system under which the rights of every person everywhere will be respected, honored and upheld in essence and in spirit, in principle and in practice.’” - David Roswell (he/him)

*This page was paid for by the In Our Name Campaign, a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. The In Our Name Fundraising Campaign is an effort of Jews in philanthropy seeking to raise $10 million for organizations that support Palestinian-led efforts working towards freedom, dignity, and self-determination of Palestinians, and that support solidarity and other organizing among Palestinian and other Arab and Muslim communities in the United States.

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