This Was Historic.
Last weekend, we did something historic.
We brought together 350 students, professors, journalists, heads of NGOs, and people from every political position and walk of life. We talked about Israel, Palestine, Zionism, anti-Semitism, diaspora, intermarriage, BDS, values, history. We had a real debate, an open discussion, a forum without redlines.
The result was beautiful. We learned. We grew. We thought deeply about issues we hadn’t considered before. We argued respectfully. We supported one another. We took the first steps towards building the kind of Jewish community we want to see.
We showed that when people come together in search of justice and understanding, no institutional policies, no “Standards of Partnership,” no powerful donors can stand in our way.
Open Hillel is changing the face of the American Jewish community -- and whether you were at the conference or not, you’re part of this movement. We couldn’t have done this without you. Every small donation you made, every supportive email you sent, every article you posted on facebook helped make this conference happen.
Looking ahead, we know our struggle is far from over. Hillel International’s standards still stand. Palestinian voices, and far too many Jewish voices, are still excluded from our Jewish communities. But seeing the passion of the hundreds of young leaders who came to the conference, I know that we will keep fighting and keep growing until we succeed.
The space we created this weekend was amazing, but it’s not enough to stop there. In the coming year, we’re planning new campaigns: bringing Jewish Freedom Summer veterans to local Hillel chapters, shifting the balance of power from donors to students, supporting students who want to be a part of their Hillel even though their views fall outside Hillel International’s prescriptions. We’ll harness the energy from the community we created this weekend and channel it to make real change in the world beyond the Open Hillel conference.
This was historic -- and it’s just the beginning. We hope you’ll continue to stand with us as we push for inclusion and free discourse in our Jewish communities.
With solidarity and excitement, Rachel Sandalow-Ash Open Hillel Internal Coordinator
P.S. If you missed the conference, there’s some great coverage of it in the media. Check out these sources:
+972 magazine: At Open Hillel conference, Jews demand their spot at the communal table
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency: After rejecting BDS ban, Open Hillel holds first conference
Haaretz: The Israel conversation American Jewish leaders aren't willing to have
The Daily Kos: Historic Moment Signals a Revolution Brewing in the American Jewish Community
Plus, check out #OpenHillel14 on twitter, and find a curation (courtesy of JVP) of the live tweets from the conference here!