The Jewish Peace Fellowship was begun in 1941 as the United States was deeply involved in WWII. The beginning concept was primarily in support of Jewish conscientious objectors who were either applying for conscientious objection (CO) status from the military or who had already been imprisoned because of their beliefs.
The founding members of the JPF created educational information on Jewish issues of conscientious objection in order to educate the draft boards who had prior knowledge of only Christian roots of conscientious objection held by those applying to be CO’s.
Because of the current changes regarding young people entering the military and the absence of an actual draft today, the original mission of the JPF has become antiquated. Very few young people are seeking information on conscientious objection or non-violence today. I have not heard of anyone being sent to prison in the U.S.A. because of their religious beliefs regarding conscientious objection in many years.
We need fresh new program(s) for the Jewish Peace Fellowship. We need to draft a new mission statement. We are still the only organization that stands for peace within the Jewish Community. Please send us your thoughts and ideas. We need them for the future of our organization.