"Why I'm a Donor to Americans For Peace Now" – Barbara Green

I actually know people who have walked away from Israel. Sometimes the news from that beleagured country is too distressing to accept. But in my case, it’s my volunteer work with Americans for Peace Now that has kept me in the fold. APN – and our sister organization in Israel, Shalom Achshav -- know this is a long, hard slog. It’s not a struggle we’ll win overnight. We will win it, though, if we continue to support the Israel we love, the cause of a two-state solution, the democratic secular country Israel was supposed to be and will still be with our help. APN remains the best hope for Israel’s future. That’s why I’m a donor and have named APN in my will.

Sometimes we hear very committed supporters voice concerns that gifts after one’s lifetime are only for the rich. “Not so,” we reply. Many of these types of gifts come from donors of modest means. Some leave just a portion of their estate to benefit future generations. Anything you can do to help achieve peace would certainly be appreciated. No gift is too small.

In most cases, you can change your mind at any time. And you can opt to remain anonymous. But, by letting us know, you will give us the opportunity to say thank you and work with you to direct the funds as you see fit.

As you know, there are always new challenges along the path to peace. Volatility in the Middle East, new policy makers and political pressure from all sides, and a continually evolving landscape in and around Israel create seemingly endless obstacles to peace. At Americans for Peace Now, however, we believe peace is possible. But we know it takes work. Working together, we are confident that we can educate, advocate, and serve as a strong voice that will lead toward peace, security, and stability for Israel.

Questions or concerns

I’m not rich. Often, the largest and most meaningful gift anyone can make is a bequest in a will or a living trust. Most of us cannot make such gifts now because we need these assets while we are alive. But, we can make such gifts in the future. If you care about Israel and its security and future, you can make a legacy gift that will fortify our ability to continue to work toward peace.

Family comes first. We absolutely understand that family comes first, and encourage you to ensure that your loved ones are provided for, and then consider what causes are most meaningful to you. If Americans for Peace Now is one of them, we hope the legacy you leave will include a lasting peace in Israel.

You can change your mind. And remember, you can always change your mind. Your circumstances and desires may change and you are free to modify your plans with no penalty or pressure from Americans for Peace Now.

Can we help you, help us? If you have a desire to give, we will work with you to help you understand your options and find the best method for you to give. We also encourage you to consult with an attorney to fully understand how gifts in your will may reduce the taxes that your loved ones will have to pay on your estate.

Whatever you decide is appropriate and meaningful to you, Americans for Peace Now is grateful for your support, and thanks you for your generous commitment to achieve meaningful peace in Israel. 

Every donor wants to be assured that the money he or she is investing in an organization will be well-spent. We can promise you that your contribution matters and will make a meaningful impact on our continuing work. Here are a few examples of what we’ve been doing that demonstrate our innovative and steadfast efforts.

Providing detailed and reliable information and analysis to policy makers. In addition to regularly informing new and established leaders about the latest news on Israel, we send candidates for office periodic issue briefs, providing important information and suggesting responsible and constructive ways to talk about issues relating to Israel and Middle East peace. Our goal is to enable candidates to engage in substantive, fact-based debates on these issues, avoiding damaging demagoguery and hyperbole.

Using cutting-edge technology to reach activists, policy makers, and other supporters. One of our tools is Facts on the Ground, an online platform, also available as an iPhone app, which graphically illustrates the devastating impact of settlement expansion on the viability of a two-state solution.

Emphasizing the critical role that Jerusalem plays in any future solution. There can be no peace without a compromise on Jerusalem. APN almost exclusively fights to drive that message against the grain of large segments of the Jewish and Christian communities in the US.

Discrediting the idea of a one-state solution, which is luring some disenchanted peace activists away from efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. The one-state concept is not practical, and would likely lead to bloodletting at a level that Israel and the Palestinians have not yet experienced. Among other means, we are voicing this message through a series of joint speaker programs, featuring Arab and Israeli speakers, on American campuses.

Engaging new constituencies, including younger people, more conservative Jews, and the Christian community.

Launching our Israel Study Tour each year, which will inspire a new core of energized and informed supporters.

Reaching out to American Jews through synagogues and community centers, Jewish newspapers and web sites, and rabbis and other Jewish leaders. Our chief goal is to help open the conversation about Israel, to enhance the community’s ability to tolerate dissent. 

Americans for Peace Now works to bolster support for peace between Israel, the Palestinians, and Arab states in order to enhance Israel’s security and to bring stability to the Middle East, and to provide support for Israel’s grassroots peace movement, Shalom Achshav (Peace Now).

We focus on driving American public opinion – with an emphasis on the American Jewish community – to back efforts to promote peace for Israel. We also educate Members of Congress and Administration officials by providing information and perspectives often not otherwise heard in Washington, DC.

APN’s current programs include:

• Government relations
• Media outreach
• Grassroots organizing
• Policy development
• Speakers Bureau
• Campus Outreach
• Support for Shalom Achshav and its Settlement Watch project.

Realizing that peace for Israel depends on American diplomatic engagement, we empower and mobilize Americans to back peace efforts. We focus our efforts on educating Washington policy makers and policy shapers.

Using high-tech tools and effective social media outreach, APN engages a new generation of American Jews who are not otherwise involved in the community. Our message combines a love for Israel with a genuine commitment to peace. Through our intimate partnership with Shalom Achshav, APN also offers this new generation a way to connect with Israelis who share their values.

APN knows that settlements matter. Expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank is destructive to the credibility of peace negotiations and to the viability of the two-state solution. With this foresight, APN and Shalom Achshav have developed a singular expertise on the issue. And we are finding new, innovative ways to empower people to act on this issue.

What a gift says about you
When you make the important decision to leave a gift to Americans for Peace Now in your will, you demonstrate your commitment to our work to achieve true peace in Israel. A legacy gift shows your belief in the value of our voice and our advocacy. You know that your dedication to peace and your generosity now will be transformational for those who come after.

The benefits of charitable planning
When you make a will and specify those loved ones you wish to remember as well as the charitable causes that are important to you, you ensure that your assets will be distributed according to your wishes. While many people assume that their children or attorney will remember what causes they gave to during their lifetimes and continue those gifts, there is no guarantee this will happen. The only way to make sure that the organizations whose values you share, such as Americans for Peace Now, will receive a share of your assets, is to detail your gift in writing in your will. While your gift and your will are private and entirely up to you, please remember that if you let us know that you’ve made a gift, it will help us continue our work to achieve and then maintain peace.

Putting your loved ones and favorite causes first
We know your family comes first. After you take care of family members, you could designate a percentage of your estate to Americans for Peace Now. Your gift could go a long way toward creating peace for Israel.

Americans for Peace Now is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization. Contributions to APN are tax-deductible. We accept credit card donations using our secure online donation form. You can also donate by telephone, fax, or postal mail (see below). If you are making a donation in honor or memory of someone please leave the contact information in the comment box and we will acknowledge this contribution.

You may also print out the form above and mail it with your check or money order to the following address:

Americans for Peace Now, Inc.
1320 19th Street NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036

Please contact APN for information on making donations of stock:

Telephone: +1 (202) 408-9898
Fax: +1 (202) 408-9899
apndc@peacenow.org

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Americans for Peace Now is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions to APN are tax-deductible. We accept credit card donations using our secure online donation form. You can also donate by telephone, fax, or postal mail (see below). If you are making a donation in honor or memory of someone please leave the contact information in the comment box and we will acknowledge this contribution.

You may also print out the form above and mail it with your check or money order to the following address:

Americans for Peace Now, Inc.
1320 19th Street NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036-1635

Please contact APN for information on making donations of stock:

Telephone: +1 (202) 408-9898
Fax: +1 (202) 408-9899
apndc@peacenow.org