J Street Colorado, the local affiliate of the national organization, announced a new leadership team and a public program featuring Ami Ayalon, former Knesset member, commander of the Israeli Navy and director of the Shin Bet, Israels internal security service.
Saul Rosenthal, former ADL regional director, and Elaine Selsberg are co-chairs of the J Street Colorado steering committee.
Other committee members are Nathaniel Sherwood, David Wahl, Regina Gray, Margery Goldman, Ivor Douglas and Dan Recht.
We are extremely excited to offer Colorado the opportunity to hear from Adm. Ami Ayalon, who brings an insightful perspective to reaching a permanent peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, said Rosenthal.
Ayalon will speak Sunday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at the DU Josef Korbel School of International Studies. This appearance is co-sponsored by the DU Middle East discussion group.
Ayalon was director of the Israeli security agency Shin Beit, 1996-2000. A military commander who achieved the rank of admiral in the Israeli Navy, he was decorated with Israels highest military honor, the Medal of Valor, in 1969.
From 2007-09 MK Ayalon served as minister without portfolio.
Within our Colorado Jewish community of more than 80,000 there are a range of views on how best to advance Israels prospects for long-term peace and security, Rosenthal said.
J Street offers an approach and setting that appeal to many Jews who are seeking a way to support Israel that is consonant with their own Jewish and progressive values.
Apriority issue for J Street, both locally and nationally, is to mobilize support in Congress for sustained US aid to the Palestinian Territory, as important to Israeli and Palestinian security and stability, and to US interests.
The legislative push comes in response to mounting efforts to cut this aid in response to the lawful Palestinian bid for UN membership.
J Street says the aid benefits both peoples by improving security cooperation and enhancing stability.
