J Street launches in Portland, Eugene

By JEWISH REVIEW

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J Street, the political voice of the pro-Israel, pro-peace movement, is setting up shop in Portland.
    
The group will officially launch J Street Portland at a public event on Thursday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Oregon Jewish Museum, 1953 NW Kearney St. in Portland.
    
The kick-off will feature simulcast remarks by J Street’s executive director, Jeremy Ben-Ami, as well as a showing of “West Bank Story,” the 20-minute-long winner of an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short. Refreshments will be served, schmoozing will be in order, and the galleries of the museum will be open with live music by Uncle Yascha.
    
J Street Portland’s launch is part of J Street’s new national grassroots field program, which is meant to broaden and deepen the presence of the pro-Israel, pro-peace movement in communities across the country. The event in Portland will coincide with dozens of similar events in other cities.
    
J Street Portland will integrate the city’s Brit Tzedek v’Shalom chapter, and also aims to draw new supporters from J Street’s substantial netroots base in the area.
    
Host committee includes Rabbi Benjamin Barnett, Rabbi James Greene, Rabbi Daniel Isaak, Rabbi David Kominsky, Rabbi Joshua Stampfer, Rabbi Ariel Stone, Rabbi Joey Wolf, Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Commissioner Jeff Cogen, Gloria Borg Olds, Dr. Gerald Cogan, Lee Gordon, Jeffrey Lang, Michael R. Levine, Toinette and Victor Menashe, Steve Novick, Hilde Price-Levine, Elden and Margie Rosenthal, Patricia Schechter and Lynn Taylor.
    
For details, contact Sandy Polishuk at portland@jstreet.org or 503-249-1957.
    
Meanwhile, a similar kickoff event is planned for Eugene.
    
J Street Eugene will host a public event also on Feb. 4 and 7 p.m. The venue is Temple Beth Israel, 1175 E 29th Ave. in Eugene.
    
For more information contact Joshua Shulruff at Eugene@jstreet.or or 773-769-2855.