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1,500-strong J Street meet dubbed 'impressive' debut for new kid on the block
J Street wrapped up its first national conference with more than 700 activists pressing their congressmen on their agenda throughout the day Wednesday.
The effect that lobbying will have on US policy remains to be seen. But this week the 18-month-old, self-described "pro-Israel, pro-peace" organization made clear that it had emerged as a presence in Washington.
It held a coming-out party larger than the annual events of many other longstanding Jewish and Israel-oriented organizations. And despite criticism of the group from some segments of the Jewish community and some high-profile rejections and cancellations, the lobby still garnered the attendance of high-placed administration officials, dozens of members of Congress, international diplomats and overflowing numbers of activists clearly energized and excited by the to-do.