When I heard about J Street, I knew that it was a breakthrough organization with a much needed message. As a young Jewish activist on Arab-Israeli issues, and a student of peace and conflict resolution, I had previously felt that my perspective was not being represented by other Jewish institutions. While I was advocating for looking at the conflict critically and reaching out to dialogue with all parties to develop a nuanced understanding, everywhere else I looked I saw only polarization. From personal experience, I have found that J Street has created a surge in interest and participation among my Jewish friends and peers who previously felt disconnected. At the J Street conference I have had the privilege to see the 250 youth from dozens of campuses who came to support J Street’s call for a new approach. They were excited to be there, really excited. Finally – seemed to be the sentiment echoed over and over – finally, after so much polarization and no progress, there is a movement that we can be a part of, a space where we can have a real dialogue and take effective action in pursuance of the goal everyone says they want – peace. It is through a movement like this, that has the best interest of Israel at heart and that opens the conversation, that we can finally make progress in the efforts toward a resolution. I am very proud to be a part of J Street and J Street U and I expect they will make be making a great impact on the way we view the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I am confident it will be a positive one.