Jonathan Tobin and Steve Masters will be the featured speakers at a forum on “The Future of Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations,” Sunday, May 16 at 7:00pm at Melrose B’nai Israel Emanu-El synagogue (133 W. Cheltenham Avenue, Cheltenham, PA 1901). Tobin is Executive Editor of Commentary Magazine and former editor of the Philadelphia Jewish Federation newspaper, Jewish Exponent. He is widely known as an advocate for conservative political positions, and broadly advocates for Israel’s military efforts to defend its territory. Masters is past president of Brit Tzedek v’Shalom and the National Advisory Board Chair of “J Street” Local. He will advocate from a pro-Israel, pro-peace position.

The forum, which is sponsored by the congregation’s Men’s Club, will be moderated by Burt Siegel, retired Executive Director of the Philadelphia Jewish Community Relations Council. Siegel’s talents for mediating between groups of people with different views, and his standing in the Jewish community, make him a natural choice to control the discussion in a clear and fair manner.

Steve Masters, Chair, National Advisory Board of J Street Local and past National President of Brit Tzedek v’Shalom

The Men’s Club encourages both Melrose B’nai Israel Emanu-El members and members of the community to attend this discussion. Ben Burrows, who helped to organize the affair said, “People with strong opinions creep around each other – either afraid to raise the ire of others they know have strong opinions, or refusing to talk about topics of major concern. With powerful advocates like Steve and Jonathan to raise important issues on the future of Israel, we have an opportunity for people to recognize other points of view. With Burt Siegel as moderator, people might stop to consider what the other side is actually saying.”

Seats will be limited and tickets will be sold in advance, at $5.00 per person. Light refreshments will be served after the forum. You can arrange for tickets by emailing forum@mbiee.org or by sending a check to MBIEE Men’s Club, at 133 W. Cheltenham Avenue, Cheltenham, PA 19012. You may also phone Stan (215-635-6570) or Mark (215-364-2288).

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