PICK OF THE ARCHIVES (reprinted from Fall 2008 Generations ) by Susan Hoffman
The Archive recently received a donation of materials from the Twin Cities Chapter of New Jewish Agenda (NJA), a national Jewish organization with a progressive, multi-issue platform—economic and social justice, women’s rights, nuclear disarmament, solidarity with South American liberation movements and most importantly, Middle East Peace. NJA employed a grass-roots organizing approach to social reform intentionally emphasizing Jewish values and identity.
The national organization was formed in 1980, and consisted of Jews across the religious spectrum, many of who has been in leadership positions in the anti-war, civil rights, feminist and gay rights movement. At its peak in the mid-1980’s, NJA had over 5,000 members, 40 state and local chapters and a rigorous education and advocacy agenda.
The local chapter was founded in the early 80’s and underwent a resurgence of interest in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. In 1990, membership topped 350. The collection contains a run of Shalom v’Tzedek (Peace & Justice) newsletters from 1988 to 1992, as well as flyers, news article reprints, membership materials and bulletins from national conventions. Members were involved in a wide range of activities: lobbying legislators to extend legal rights to domestic partners, anti-racism training, mobilizing support for a two state solution in the Middle East and the diversion of US aid to support peace activities in the West Bank and Gaza, support for United Farm workers grape boycott and end to “Star Wars” funding. The local NJA was part of a liberal coalition sponsoring peace education forums featuring national speakers such as David Dellinger, and much of the group’s focus was on progressive Zionism, NJA sponsored numerous Israeli speakers in the Twin Cities, including Army dissidents and feminist activists.
The national organization broke apart in 1993. The bulk of JHSUM Twin Cities Chapter collection covers 1989-1991. There is an interesting article by an NJA activist that addresses the question of why the national organization closed down when it did. You can find it at http://www.newjewishagenda.net at the link to Ethan Bloch. Many of the original and long time members of the local chapter are still here in the Twin Cities. JHSUM has an excellent opportunity to gather more information about NJA in Minnesota by interviewing former members. We would also appreciate donations of records, correspondence, newsletters and photos that might be in storage here in the Cities. Please call us at 952 381-3360 or email us at history@jhsum.org if you are interested in contributing to the NJA collection.
