http://www.inthesetimes.com/archives/tags/lobbying/ In These Times features award-winning investigative reporting about corporate malfeasance and government wrongdoing, insightful analysis of national and international affairs, and sharp cultural criticism about events and ideas that matter. en-us Expression Engine jessica@inthesetimes.com seamus@inthesetimes.com Thu, 15 May 2008 05:00:00 -0500 http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/3683/new_jewish_lobby_counters_neocons/ On April 15, after 18 months of planning, a new progressive Jewish lobby called J Street was launched as a counterweight to the increasingly conservative American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). There is no physical J Street in Washington, D.C., but the name conjures up K Street, the hub for lobbying on Capitol Hill. Israel's Haaretz newspaper columnist Shmuel Rosner writes that the "J" in J Street also jokingly refers to Jeremy Ben-Ami, the veteran political operative and public relations professional who served as a domestic policy adviser in the Clinton administration and has worked for various progressive and peace-oriented American-Jewish organizations. Ben-Ami is executive director of both J Street -- a 501(c)(4) lobbying organization -- and of its separately… israel middle east lobbying Susan J. Douglas