5 Times Jewish Voice for Peace Was the Voice of Unity
Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) is an organization created by Jews working towards Palestinian liberation and peace. In 1996, three UC Berkeley undergraduate students founded JVP, which later grew into a large grassroots cause.
Today, the Instagram account has 1.3 million followers composed of people from different religions and identities.
The organization advocates for the end of Israeli apartheid on Palestinian land while conveying messages of peace for all innocent lives. They stand firmly against anti-Semitism and anti-Palestinian sentiments through protests, social media, campaigns, and more.
Here are five instances where JVP was a powerful advocate for unity.
1. Spearheading divestment campaigns
JVP frequently advocates and protests against large corporations investing in Israel Bonds. Protests across North America put pressure on these companies and institutions to stop funding.
Recently, JVP released a statement on their website that both the United Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church have “voted to divest from Israel Bonds.”
Protests and their role in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement (BDS) remain at the core of their activism.
2. Protecting pro-Palestine students during protests
Following the arrests of over 50 Columbia University students, JVP released a statement advocating for the rights and safety of the students. In the post, JVP reprimands Columbia University, as well as politicians, for their role in silencing and using violence against the protestors.
“It will forever be a stain on Columbia that the administration called riot police on its own student body rather than divest from the brutality of war and occupation,” said JVP.
The statement later asks for Columbia University to disclose and divest from Israel Bonds, and waive punishment on the student protestors.
3. Upholding Jewish values to advocate for human life
JVP shared the meaning of “b’tzelem elohim” which is that all people are equal in the eyes of God.
The post later mentions the 100 Palestinians and six Israelis killed in the past week.
“We recognize the enormous discrepancy in Palestinian lives lost, compared to Israelis. And we do not waver from our core belief that every life is a universe,” said the JVP Instagram Post.
4. Speaking from the heart with Lic Kunz-Berkowitz
Lic Kunz-Berkowitz, national media coordinator of JVP, sat down with Muslim Girl’s Amani Khatatbeh to discuss Muslim-Jewish unity.
Amani asked her what she believes Muslim-Jewish solidarity looks like. Kunz-Berkowitz replied, “Interpersonal relational level of showing up for each other, like helping each other, like [celebrating] our own holidays, like cooking for each other, that kind of just like community care.”
She then goes on to mention examples of Muslim Jewish care she’s experienced and heard in her life. Kunz-Berkowitz shared that her Moroccan Jewish friend had her Muslim neighbors bring her food to break fast on Yom Kippur.
At the heart of Jewish Voice for Peace exists individuals with a desire for unity.
5. Amplifying Palestinian creative voices
Farha is a film by Darin J. Sallam that came out in 2021. The film follows a 14-year-old girl’s experiences during the 1948 Nakba. Farha quickly gained popularity and is now available to watch on Netflix—a major streaming platform.
On April 3, 2023 — prior to the events of October 7 — Jewish Voice for Peace was already advocating for Palestinian recognition and exposure. They invited their audience to join them in a screening and Q&A with the Director of the film.
Unifying powers can be seen through a multitude of mediums — including film.
Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) has long been advocating for unity across religions and groups. At the core of their organization is love and a desire for all life to be valued and protected.
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