Lynne Reder said she's proud to be Jewish, but isn't always proud of Israel's actions, particularly its ongoing military assault on Gaza.

"I continue to believe the current path is not a productive one," Ms. Reder, of Point Breeze, said yesterday. "It hurts Israel. It hurts Gaza."

She and more than 120 other people gathered last night at the Jewish Community Center, where they swapped views and shared their concerns about the fighting on a day when Israeli shells destroyed a United Nations building, a hospital and homes in Gaza, wounding dozens of people.

Many at the gathering described themselves as "pro-Israel, pro-peace," supportive of the country but skeptical of its tactics in Gaza. Some said Israel ignored diplomatic options when it began its attacks on the region. Others said Israel had no other choice. But nearly everyone agreed they want a peaceful coexistence and a swift cease-fire.

"It is acceptable for Jewish voices to criticize Israel," said Naftali Kaminski, who helped organize the event. "The only way to keep Israel in existence is to fix it."

Joining in the discussion via speakerphone were an Israeli blogger living in Sderot near Gaza; a 19-year-old girl who refuses to serve in the Israeli army while it occupies Palestinian territories; a doctor and peace activist living in Gaza; and the leader of an American grassroots group seeking a two-state resolution to the conflict.

Maymon Pe'er, , among those who made a brief presentation at the outset of the gathering, said he believed Israel had expended its options when it chose to attack Gaza.

"When Israel fights, it does the best it can to minimize casualties among civilians," he said. "Israel had the right and obligation to do this operation and to give security to its citizens in southern Israel."

Other speakers said a growing number of people want to see a political resolution to the conflict, but said their views are underrepresented in the media.

"This situation shows that a political solution is necessary to the problem and that the attempted military solutions have actually worsened the situation," said Diane Balser, executive director of Brit Tzedek v'Shalom, a grassroots group pushing for a cease-fire.

"We're pro-Israel, but we question some of the policies of the Israeli government," she told the crowd via speakerphone.

Omer Goldman, 19, who spoke from Tel-Aviv, said she is a conscientious objector who won't serve in the Israeli army.

"You don't end terror with terror," she said.

Some said they believe Israel's response to Hamas' rocket fire was disproportionate and that the country ignored other alternatives. They said they worry about the country's image internationally and hope American lawmakers will make it a priority to halt the violence.

"It used to be Israel would shoot and then cry," Mr. Kaminski said. "Now we've lost that shame. Now we count the bodies. We have to be smarter than counting the bodies."