The holiday of Shavuot, which begins the night of Tuesday, June 3rd, and continues through Thursday, celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Shavuot completes the cycle that celebrates the origin of the Jews as a people, starting with Passover. The holiday of Shavuot, once an agricultural festival, has come to represent the importance of the Torah, and our understanding that freedom is not complete until there is rule of law to guide us.

Last week, APN asked Pope Francis to use his leadership – and his voice - to build on the gestures of humility and reconciliation that he has become famous for. We asked him to advocate for peace - and he did.

In addition to laying a wreath at Herzl’s grave and visiting the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum in Jerusalem, Pope Francis also took time to offer a prayer near the separation wall, and to extend an unprecedented invitation for a peace prayer summit in Rome.

Thank you, Pope Francis, for speaking up. We wish you all the best as we all continue to work together for peace

This week, Alpher discusses the significance of the Pope's visit to the Holy Land; whether the June 10 presidential elections is something to get excited about or just another ho-hum affair; and whether we about to witness a new Israeli unilateral initiative.

Haaretz - May 20, 2014
Peace Now condemns Israeli authorities for not acting against settlers' forgery of West Bank land documents
http://www.haaretz.com/mobile/.premium-1.591815?v=6B426621310078EEA716EC5ED8426B1F

St. Louis Jewish Light (JTA Story) - May 20, 2014
Peace Now disputes news regarding "silent freeze" of West Bank settlement construction
http://www.stljewishlight.com/news/world/article_b95d04a9-3c73-5a2a-aa30-0dcc019351e7.html

New Voices (blog) - May 20, 2014
APN's Lara Friedman speaking engagement at Boston University not sponsored by Hillel
http://newvoices.org/2014/05/20/defining-pro-israel/

New Jersey Jewish News - May 15, 2014
APN's Aaron Mann's op-ed: Yes, Gov. Christie: Pro-Israel equals anti-occupation
http://www.njjewishnews.com/article/22953/yes-gov.-christie-pro-israel-equals-anti-occupation#.U39_6_ldVpe

Jerusalem Post - May 13, 2014
High Court orders Israeli government to remove homes in illegal outpost following Peace Now petition
http://www.jpost.com/National-News/State-must-remove-some-illegal-homes-in-three-West-Bank-outposts-by-Sunday-352071

We will be marching with the group of progressive, pro-Israel organizations committed to Israel's core values, as laid out in its Declaration of Independence 66 years ago.  Our organizations support and advance the ideals of democracy, freedom, justice, peace and human rights and will be marching loud and proud on June 1.

Come out and make your voice heard! Don’t miss this opportunity to show the world that there is a strong and vibrant progressive voice supporting Israel. Please register at this link to receive our meeting point for the parade.

This weekend, Pope Francis will be visiting the Middle East on a historic trip. Many people the world over have been impressed by the humility of this pope, by his loving mien, and his ethical stances. We also are encouraged by his friendship with Rabbi Abraham Skorka and Omar Abboud - leaders of the Jewish and Muslim communities in Argentina - and his determination to demonstrate the normalcy of interfaith friendship.