Welcome to the June edition of the Jewish Future Promise Newsletter. 

Promisers to date: The Jewish Future Promise reached 65,291 Signers, and the Jewish Youth Promise now has 22,038 Youth Signers.

New & Newsworthy

Actress Ginnifer Goodwin signs the Jewish Future Promise

A Call to Action: Echoing the Voices of Our Zionist Leaders – Times of Israel, authored by JFP COO Hadara Ishak

Promising to Fund a Jewish Future – Hadassah Magazine

If you share one article this month, make it this one

Esteemed Jewish Future Promise community,

Thank you so much for your support. Just like you, I have been appalled with what I’ve seen across university campuses this past school year.

That is why I want to implore you to read this eye-opening piece in Tablet Magazine, authored by Natan Sharanksy, Chair of the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy. Mr. Sharansky dissects the letter penned by 500 Jewish students at Columbia University, and perfectly explains why this letter could be the turning point in the struggle for the future of American Jews.

Mr. Sharansky dissects how over the past 20 years more and more Jewish students have been demonized for supporting Israel and seen that standing up for their beliefs marked them for discrimination, harassment, or worse. In places that are supposed to be bastions of free society, Jewish students found themselves unwilling doublethinkers.

The Columbia 500’s letter took a powerful stand against this long-festering hatred and denial of Zionist beliefs. Mr. Sharansky’s article perfectly captures the letter’s impact, and explains why Jews at Cornell, Stanford, Harvard, and across America must join the Columbia 500 to stand a real chance at taking back our campuses and defeating these insidious antisemitic forces that have occupied them. 

Please join me in sharing this important article anywhere and everywhere you can.

Thank you,

Mike Leven

Promiser Spotlight: Andrea Leven

You recently visited Israel through a trip organized by the Atlanta Jewish Federation. Share your takeaways from your visit. 

I was struck by the resilience of the Israelis we met. Our small group went to the site of the Nova music festival and spoke 1-on-1 with a festival attendee. Even as we walked through the ruins of Kibbutz Nir Oz [site of the massacre on October 7] with bombs roaring overhead, the Israelis showed us how they refuse to stop living their lives.

What is your message to American Jews right now about Israel?

They [Israel] need you there. It's so vital for them in a way you can't imagine.

Millions of Americans and I have been following the recent events with a mix of shock and horror. Still, it's a whole different level to be Israeli and see every day filled with public figures and protestors alike calling for your home to no longer exist. When Israelis see American Jews or any other Jews there, it makes them feel like they're not alone and that they have support.

How can we curb the trend of young Jews feeling disconnected from their Judaism and with Israel?

A: It starts in the home. Start early if you can, but it's never too late. Outside the home, I think of three crucial things to help kids better appreciate and embrace their Jewish identities: Jewish day schools, Jewish camps, and trips to Israel. 

You want to give them their own Jewish experiences beyond the home and let your children define what Judaism personally means for them. That's why the Jewish Future Promise is so important: to ensure all three of those organizations get the support they need to continue. 

Read Andrea’s full promiser spotlight article here.