The discussion on the blogs and the odd newspaper article is great but this isn't turning into coherent and meaningful, or least it isn't yet.
I think the medium is the problem: computer mediated discussions are limiting and abstract.
I think that a progressive American-Jewish community strategy conference would be a great next step. One could directly model it on the yearly Herzliya Conference, which is also aimed at helping to formulate strategy. The best place to have it would be in New York City.
Invite a lot of those already involved in the conversation to give talks (such as those from IJV and other progressive groups), but try to focus on Jewish and Israeli voices in order to keep things focused. It shouldn't turn into a simplistic emotional "blame Israel" festival, but rather a coherent discussion of issues, improving our understanding of the past and the ways to move forward in a positive and effective fashion. Have radicals and more mainstream progressives present ideas and discuss issues. There should be a panel on George Soros' idea of a progressive alternative to the right-leaning pro-Israel lobby. There will be a lot of disagreement but there might also be some clear things and courses of action people come to agree upon. There will be absolutely amazing conversations in the hallways and so on.
It may turn into a major turning point in uniting the left into something coherent and meaningful. The issues are complex, but there are solutions and ways of coming together.
The discussion on the blogs and the odd newspaper article is great but this isn't turning into coherent and meaningful, or least it isn't yet.
I think the medium is the problem: computer mediated discussions are limiting and abstract.
I think that a progressive American-Jewish community strategy conference would be a great next step. One could directly model it on the yearly Herzliya Conference, which is also aimed at helping to formulate strategy. The best place to have it would be in New York City.
Invite a lot of those already involved in the conversation to give talks (such as those from IJV and other progressive groups), but try to focus on Jewish and Israeli voices in order to keep things focused. It shouldn't turn into a simplistic emotional "blame Israel" festival, but rather a coherent discussion of issues, improving our understanding of the past and the ways to move forward in a positive and effective fashion. Have radicals and more mainstream progressives present ideas and discuss issues. There should be a panel on George Soros' idea of a progressive alternative to the right-leaning pro-Israel lobby. There will be a lot of disagreement but there might also be some clear things and courses of action people come to agree upon. There will be absolutely amazing conversations in the hallways and so on.
It may turn into a major turning point in uniting the left into something coherent and meaningful. The issues are complex, but there are solutions and ways of coming together.