Q: What is this Assembly?
A: The “2010 U.S. Assembly of Jews: Confronting Racism and Israeli Apartheid” is occurring in Detroit, MI from June 19th-22nd, 2010. It is a gathering of individuals working to build and strengthen the participation of anti-Zionist Jews in the Palestine Solidarity Movement and other social justice movements in the United States. We will gather as anti-Zionist Jewish (AZJ) activists committed to social justice and to challenging racism, colonialism and imperialism- first and foremost by contributing to efforts to overcome Zionism and decolonize Palestine.
At the Assembly, we hope to provide a forum to share political perspectives, campaigns and other activities, culture and ritual, and build relationships toward collective work. We will assess the current US and international Palestine solidarity movement, larger social justice movements and political context, and we hope to build a shared direction for anti-Zionist Jewish organizing in the United States. This is in the interest of making our work more effective.
Q: What is the 2010 US Social Forum and why is the Assembly preceding the Social Forum?
A: The 2010 US Social Forum (USSF) is the second of its kind in the US. The first, in 2007 in Atlanta, had 12,000 people in attendance. The USSF provides a space to build relationships, learn from each others experiences, share our analysis of the problems our communities face, and bring renewed insight and inspiration to social movement organizations. Through the USSF process, grassroots groups, coalitions and networks build leadership and develop collective consciousness, vision, and strategies needed to realize another world. (For more information, please visit http://www.ussf2010.org.)
We will gather at the Assembly 3 days before the USSF in order to strengthen anti-Zionist Jewish participation in the Palestine solidarity movement through sharing information, resources, and collective strategizing. We encourage those who attend the assembly to also attend the USSF, and to participate in Palestine solidarity sessions at the USSF, as well as to participate in organizing with other social movements.
Q: Is the assembly only for Jewish people? Only for Anti-Zionists? Only for Activists?
A: No. We welcome all who are interested in supporting the organizing of anti-Zionist Jews as part of the broader Palestine solidarity movement and anti-racist, anti-imperialist organizing in the United States. However, the Assembly is oriented toward Jews confronting Zionism. We also welcome those who are critical of Zionism and interested in learning more about anti-Zionist Jewish activism. However, we ask that those who are still in a process of rejecting Zionism to participate as observers.
Finally, we welcome the participation and contributions of academics and intellectuals, but stress that the focus of the Assembly is on activism and organizing and the application of politics into practice.
Q: Who is organizing the Assembly? Who will be attending?
A: The organizers for the Assembly are individuals from across the U.S., many of whom work with organizations that support movement towards justice in Palestine. The organizations organizing the event are the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN) www.ijsn.net, Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) www.mecaforpeace.org and Philadelphia Jews for a Just Peace (PJJP) www.phillyjjp.org. People will be attending the Assembly from all over the US from many different backgrounds, with a concentration of those focused on working towards justice in Palestine.
Q: What kinds of conversations about Israel/Palestine can I expect at the Assembly?
A: The Assembly is designed as a forum for us to develop a more cohesive strategy for Jewish participation in the anti-Zionist movement, so people are encouraged to share ideas and resources, and to help plan next steps in a more cohesive international Palestine solidarity movement.
The Assembly is not a space to debate the politics of anti-Zionism but rather to use them as a starting point for the work.
Q: How can non-Jews support this work?
A: Non-Jews can attend the Assembly (see above), but there are also several other ways to support the event! We are seeking endorsements from organizations as well as sponsorship through financial contributions. Therefore, it is extremely helpful if your organization or you as an individual can endorse, sponsor and/or ask others to do the same! (To endorse or sponsor, contact us at 2010assembly@jewsconfrontaprtheid.org.) Finally, this work is ongoing in efforts to support the liberation of Palestine and there are numerous organizations in which non-Jews can participate in.
Q: What is your relationship to Palestine solidarity work in the US Social Forum?
A: The groups organizing the Assembly are also participating in the Palestine Track in the US Social Forum by sponsoring and participating in workshops, meetings, and networking. In addition, participants in the Assembly are encouraged to take their gained knowledge and strategies into the US Social Forum in order to strengthen their participation in Palestine solidarity movement as well as with other social movements represented at the Forum.
Q: Why not put energy into the US Social Forum itself?
A: We are putting energy into the social forum itself and in fact have planned this conference intentionally to precede the forum so as to encourage all participants to attend it as well. IJAN is a member of the National Planning Committee of the social forum and the organizing groups of the Assembly will be participating in the Palestine solidarity track (see above).
Q: What is the cost of registration and fees? How do I register?
A: To register, go to http://www.jewsconfrontapartheid.org/registration/. Registration fees are on a self-determined sliding scale from $135-$85 dollars. If you register before [date tbd], the discounted scale for early registration is $110-70. If you can afford to give more, we strongly encourage you to give more! Your contribution will help make the assembly more accessible for others.
Registration fees cover conference programming and food (breakfast, lunch, light snacks). Travel and housing costs are not included, though there are a variety of low-cost housing options that we can help connect you to.
For many of us, money is tight. If the cost of attending the assembly is high for your budget, one option is to fundraise to subsidize your attendance. If you plan to follow this route, please still register now, so that we know you are planning to attend. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Q: How are people organizing travel to Detroit?
A: People attending the Assembly are required to find their own transportation to and from Detroit. If you are considering attending, please contact us and we will help link you to other people in your region who may also be attending.
Q: How are people organizing accommodations during the Assembly?
A: Organizers are working on securing sliding scale of housing options for participants during the Assembly, and throughout the USSF. During the registration process, you will be asked to indicate whether or not you are requesting assistance in finding accomodations. We will do what we can to help you find the right housing for your needs. However, the cost of accommodations is not included in the registration fee, and all participants are required to cover their own costs.
Q: How can I get more involved in organizing for the Assembly?
A: You can join a committee! Outreach, Fundraising, Media, or Logistics. You can also help by organizing a group to join you and attend the Assembly from your region. Please contact 2010assembly@jewsconfrontapartheid.org if you want to get involved!
Q: How can I find people in my region who are going to the Assembly?
A: To find people in your region attending the Assembly, please contact us at 2010assembly@jewsconfront apartheid.org.
Q: I can’t attend the Assembly, but how can I get involved?
A: Even if you cannot attend, you can still join one of the committees (see above). You can also help by endorsing and/or sponsoring the event. To do so, please contact us at 2010assembly@jewsconfrontaprtheid.org, or visit our website at www.jewsconfrontapartheid.org . If you want to get more involved in the movement for justice in Palestine, please contact a local solidarity organization, and/or contact the Assembly organizers who can connect you to US and international networks: International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network www.ijsn.net, Middle East Children’s Alliance www.mecaforpeace.org, and Philadelphia Jews for a Just Peace www.phillyjjp.org.