We invite you to join a conversation with two young Israeli leaders who are advancing a progressive vision for Israel’s future. They will discuss what’s at stake as Israel struggles to form its next government, and will shed light on the work that they and their peers are doing to build movements for social change led by a rising generation of new activists. This is an opportunity to meet leaders who are advancing democratic, pluralistic values, and who are working towards peace between Israelis and Palestinians and a shared future for all of Israel’s citizens, Jews and Arabs alike. Co-sponsored by Kavana, UW Hillel, J Street, and New Israel Fund.

Yael Patir is J Street's Israel Director. Prior to joining J Street in 2012, she served as Director of the Civil Leadership Department at the Shimon Peres Center for Peace where she oversaw cross-border peace-building programs that engaged a wide range of civil society figures, including Palestinian and Israeli young political leaders. Yael also helped establish the Palestinian-Israeli Peace NGO Forum, a network of some 100 Palestinian and Israeli peace and dialogue organizations, and has served as the Israeli Director since the Forum’s inception in January 2006.

Dr. Nisreen Shehada is one of the founders of Standing Together, a joint Jewish-Arab grassroots movement fighting to transform Israeli politics. Standing Together organizes Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel around campaigns for peace, equality, and social justice, in order to build power and transform Israeli society.  Dr. Shehada has a PhD in chemical engineering and nanotechnology, works at a large high-tech company and lives in Haifa.