We, the undersigned rabbis from across the state of Maryland, feel compelled to express our deep concern regarding the upcoming national membership meeting of the organization Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), which will be held in Baltimore from May 1 to May 4.

JVP claims to represent the Jewish community and to support peace. We believe it is important to make clear that JVP is a fringe movement that does not speak for the majority of Jews, reflect Jewish values, or seek peace. Rather, JVP demonstrates support for terror, disrupts public life, and actively undermines the very essence of Jewish identity, faith, and tradition.

JVP’s own statements reveal that their claim of supporting peace is a lie. Immediately following Hamas’ October 7th attacks on Israel, when 1,200 people were murdered and 250 were taken hostage, JVP wrote, “our solidarity with Palestine must encompass any and all modes of resistance,” and stated “We stand in full solidarity with Palestinian resistance.” JVP calls for “death of Israel.” On the night of October 7th, while rockets were falling on Israeli cities and Hamas terrorists were inside of Israel’s borders, JVP mobilized to end defense aid to Israel.

To promote awareness of its radical agenda, JVP engages in harassment, interruptions and public disturbances, for which it is currently being sued. This extremism is consistent with JVP’s opposition to the existence of a Jewish state within any part of historic Israel. By promoting a version of Judaism that minimizes or even erases the Jewish connection to Israel, the organization effectively seeks to undermine one of the most central tenets of our faith and identity. JVP’s stance is a rejection of compromise and coexistence in favor of radical zealotry.

Finally, while describing itself as Jewish, JVP makes clear in their membership FAQ that they are recruiting well beyond the American Jewish community. Some JVP chapters have been founded by non-Jews, while the limited public data demonstrates that others are at least 50% non-Jewish. In their conference registration questionnaire JVP asks attendees if they are Jewish, but the group has never disclosed what percentage of their movement are Jews and what percentage are “allies”. They should.

By misrepresenting who it is, who it speaks for, and what it believes, Jewish Voice for Peace undermines the Jewish people, principles of the Jewish religion, and our deep connection to Israel. We call upon the people of Maryland to be clear eyed about what this group is and what they stand for. We ask that all those who attend the JVP meeting be reminded of the deep responsibility that the Jewish community shares to uphold the sanctity of Jewish history, Jewish identity, and the Jewish bond to the land of Israel.

With prayerful concern and steadfast commitment to our faith.

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Signed,

1. Rabbi David Balto, Chevy Chase, Maryland

2. Rabbi Leila Gal Berner, Frederick, Maryland

3. Rabbi Faith Cantor, Annapolis, Maryland

4. Rabbi Mitchell Cohen, Baltimore, Maryland

5. Rabbi Josh Gischner, Silver Spring, Maryland

6. Rabbi Ari Goldstein, Arnold, Maryland

7. Rabbi Jason Goldstein, Pikesville, Maryland

8. Rabbi Joshua Gruenberg, Pikesville, Maryland

9. Rabbi Corey Helfand, Chevy Chase, Maryland

10. Rabbi Scott Hoffman, Gaithersburg, Maryland

11. Rabbi Alison Kobey, Damascus, Maryland

12. Rabbi Jonah Layman, Olney, Maryland

13. Rabbi Zevi Lowenberg, Baltimore, Maryland

14. Rabbi Jonathan Miller, Bethesda, Maryland

15. Rabbi Avis Miller, Chevy Chase, Maryland

16. Rabbi Jesse Nagelberg, Olney, Maryland

17. Rabbi Chai Posner, Baltimore, Maryland

18. Rabbi Adam Raskin, Potomac, Maryland

19. Rabbi Eliyahu Reingold, Silver Spring, Maryland

20. Rabbi Adam Rosenwasser, Kensington, Maryland

21. Rabbi Michael Safra, Rockville , Maryland

22. Rabbi Dana Saroken, Baltimore, Maryland

23. Rabbi Moshe Schwartz, Pikesville, Maryland

24. Rabbi Sue Shankman, Potomac, Maryland

25. Rabbi Meeka Simerly, Havre de Grace, Maryland

26. Rabbi Eric Stark, Bethesda, Maryland

27. Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt, Potomac, Maryland

28. Rabbi Fabian Werbin, Rockville, Maryland

29. Rabbi Mitchell Wohlberg, Baltimore, Maryland

30. Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu Yoggev, Pikesville, Maryland