Message from the Interim Steering Committee
July 24, 2008
At the Independent Jewish Canadian Conference in Toronto in March (convened by ACJC), we voted to create an Interim Steering Committee (ISC) made up of representatives of the Jewish groups which attended the conference, which was charged with creating a new infrastructure, establishing a name, and coordinating implementation of the strategic directions started at the conference. The ISC is composed of the delegates from those groups. We have been working hard since March to fulfill this mandate and are making excellent strides.
There was also discussion at the conference about our name. After a good deal of consideration, consultation and discussion of alternatives, the ISC has voted to rename ourselves as “Independent Jewish Voices”. We have checked with the British group of the same name (Brian Klug, a speaker at the March conference, is a leader in that group) and they are pleased to share the name with us (and with the Australian IJV group). From now on, we will use the new name, when necessary noting we are the Canadian group.
We stress that although we have changed our name, our aims and principles remain the same, and we continue to adhere to the Basis of Unity adopted at the conference.
The ISC has developed a new, more participatory democratic infrastructure, which offers ways for Jewish individuals and groups, as well as non-Jewish associate members and ally groups to contribute (attached). The ISC has also initiated or participated in a range of actions which have begun to publicize our alternative perspective and to support other groups. These include:
- Issuing a statement of support for CUPW’s resolution opposing the occupation;
- Participating in a press conference opposing the siege of Gaza;
- Developing working relationships with the Canada-Palestine Parliamentary Association and the Middle East Discussion group, as well as a range of MPs, Senators, and policy-makers concerned about the Middle East;
- Developing a position paper supporting Canada’s participation in the Durban II World Conference Against Racism and organizing international Jewish support for Durban II;
- Participating in the Jewish-Muslim Dialogue on Palestine organized by the TARIC Islamic Centre, which brought together Jewish conference participants with Toronto area Muslims;
- Developing and carrying out programmes to reach mainstream Jews in Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton;
- Helping to organize and participating in multiple Nakba events across Canada;
- Organizing speaking tours and beginning planning for a campaign to raise Palestinian concerns at the next election.
We hope to launch our new web site soon.
There are many ways you can participate in IJV. All are welcome to join one or more of the 9 IJV committees and action groups, and we would appreciate your help in a range of practical administrative tasks, such as contributing to our web page, fund-raising, coordinating speaking tours, and organizing national conferences. As well, we encourage you to join the Regional Chapter in your city, which will form the democratic base of the IJV. Each Regional Chapter will elect one or (in the case of Toronto and Montreal) two representatives to the Steering Committee.
We invite you to complete the attached membership form to formalize your participation, and urge you to become actively involved with IJV. A description of the rights and criteria of membership is attached. To finance our activities, we are asking members to pay dues on a sliding scale of $3.00 to $15.00 per month (students can join free of charge).
You may have heard that the ISC expelled a member of the Interim Steering Committee. Many of his actions had a negative impact on the organization, including causing the withdrawal of some ACJC members, alienating some supporters, and putting us in legal situations that seriously concerned the ISC. After an extensive and fair process, the ISC indeed reached the difficult decision to expel him in order to protect the IJV.
We invite you to contact representatives on the ISC (see list below) if you would like more details of what the ISC has been doing or wish to volunteer to help the organization in its aims.
We look forward to devoting our energy to seeking a just peace for Israelis and Palestinians.
Shalom
Dylan Penner, Diana Ralph, Sid Shniad (Coordinators IJV)
