Who We Are

J Street U Mission Statement

J Street U is a student-driven network of activists organizing on campuses across North America for peace, security and social justice in Israel, the future state of Palestine and across the Middle East.

As supporters of Israel, we are firmly committed to protecting the future of the State of Israel as a Jewish democratic homeland. We believe the fates of a secure Israel and a viable Palestinian state are intertwined. The peace and security of both peoples is achievable only through a negotiated, two-state solution.

J Street U is committed to creating an alternate approach to Israel advocacy that embraces open dialogue and constructive activism, and that warrants critical analysis of policies – be they Israeli, Palestinian, American or other.

J Street U presents students with an opportunity to engage voices from both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian divide on campus. Polarizing voices claiming exclusively “pro-Israel” or “pro-Palestinian” positions have come to dominate the discourse on many campuses across North America, obscuring the complexity of the conflict and subsequently alienating significant numbers of students.

J Street U provides guidance, education and resources to students who seek to impart a progressive voice into the debate about Israel.  We seek to empower student activists to advocate on campus, in their communities and on Capitol Hill for vigorous and sustained US leadership in facilitating a negotiated, two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

J Street Education Fund Mission Statement

The J Street Education Fund, Inc, (JSEF) seeks to raise awareness among policy makers, community leaders and the broader public about issues related to Israel and the Middle East.  Specifically, JSEF aims to build broad popular support for US policies that advance a lasting resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.  JSEF’s pro-Israel advocacy emphasizes the importance of a peaceful resolution to Israel’s conflicts in order to ensure the long-term survival of a vibrant Jewish and democratic homeland.

Our Roots

Founded in 2004 by veteran members of the Israeli left and their American supporters – Ameinu, Meretz USA, Habonim Dror North America and Hashomer Hatzair North America – the Union of Progressive Zionists (UPZ) was created to present students on campus with an alternative to the extremist voices from both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian debate.  This national network of student activists was active as the UPZ for 5 years and in May 2009, the UPZ became the J Street Education Fund, Inc. (JSEF) and all UPZ campus activities were incorporated into JSEF as “J Street U.”