Five towns represented at StandWithUs program

The goal of Jewish education is not only to educate for life, but also to arm Jewish students with the knowledge to grow themselves, protect themselves, and have a positive influence on the world around us.

A new program in its pilot year is tackling a part of this education: the “need to begin Israel education and advocacy training at an earlier age,” stressed Tahli Hanuka, the East Coast High School Programs Coordinator for the Stand With Us MZ Teens Internship. The program is part of StandWithUs, an international, non-profit organization founded in 2001 to inform the public about Israel and to fight extremism and anti-Semitism “that often distorts the issues.” The internship is made possible by a grant from the MZ Foundation, whose stated mission is to “combat anti-Semitism in the United States and across the globe.”

“During the three-day, all expenses paid September conference in Los Angeles, StandWithUs MZ Teens were trained to become leaders in Israel advocacy,” explained Avi Posnick, New York Regional Coordinator of SWU, a former resident of Oceanside, and Rambam Mesivta alumnus. “They received basic education about Israel, the challenges her supporters face on college campuses and how to respond to them, and learned the difference between anti-Semitism and legitimate criticism of Israel. The 48 students - one from Long Island - completed their training and are now educating about Israel at their high schools by forming Israel clubs, bringing in speakers and programs, and conducting Israel 101 seminars. Another conference will be held in the Spring.”

Hanuka was the StandWithUs Emerson Fellow at University of Illinois-Champaign-Urbana. The MZ Teens Internship has Midwest and West Coast coordinators with LA-based Miri Kornfeld as director.

“The two most successful interns will each receive a certificate of $1,000 toward their next trip to Israel,” Posnick added. “The StandWithUs MZ Teen Advocacy program is similar to the SWU Emerson Fellowship. In its sixth year, the Fellowship selects and trains 50 student leaders on college campuses across the U.S. and Canada to educate about Israel and combat anti-Israel rhetoric. Roz Rothstein, SWU CEO explains that high school students face anti-Semitic challenges ‘not as clearly and overtly’ as college students do, but need to prepare for what college holds in store—and for how they might be able to educate others.“

The group of 48 students currently in the program is made up of half boys, half girls, half high school juniors, half seniors and range from secular to orthodox and attend public and private Jewish schools, explained Hanuka. She said that they have “been able to share their love of Israel through education with their peers in school, their youth groups and in their communitites.” She said that they have been able to reach “over a thousand teens thus far” through these 48 MZ Teens.

The teens are taught Israeli history, culture, Israeli innovations, geography, and advocacy skills and are assisted in the development of new programs tailored to each student’s school or venue. Some topics covered include the U.S.-Israel relationship, morals in the IDF, and discussions on the Israeli-Arab conflict. They use interactive programs, Powerpoint presentations and texts, continued Hanuka. “We explain to the students that the facts are on our side and, as long as they are educated, they will be able to effectively advocate for Israel. Education is the road to peace.”

She noted that the students selected have leadership skills and are motivated to learn and share the information with their peers. Mentors check in “around every three weeks” for a “mini online video conference so everyone can meet together” via Skype or Google Hangout, pointed out Posnick. He said that each high school coordinator travels to the different schools in their regions.

“The goal of the program is to create and educate the Israel advocates of tomorrow,” said Hanuka. “Whether students use what they have learned on their future college campus or sometime else in the future, we are providing our teens with the tools they will need to be leaders and advocates for Israel in the future.As always, with education, there is always more to achieve and more to learn. We have taught them how to channel their passion in a productive way to effectively educate about and advocate for Israel. These teens have, in turn, excited their peers to do the same, which furthers the domino effect of passing on the education.

“Throughout the year and in years to come we want to continue educating teens before they arrive on their college campuses so that they will be prepared for what anti-Israel sentiment they will face and they will have the tools to become leaders in their Israel groups on campus, or create Israel groups where there are none. We would like the program to expand, so eventually, the entire Jewish and non-Jewish communities of the world will start to realize how important Israel education really is and that it must start at an earlier age.

“The students will become part of the StandWithUs family and know that even after their year in the program has ended, they will have a lifetime of support from SWU around the world. The students will gain the tools they need to take their passion for Israel and turn it into action. Students will have met and networked with other like-minded teens around the country who are also participating in the program, expanding their network of Israel advocates who can and will support them forever. Students will feel empowered to continue their education and pass on the education to others. Students will realize that they can make a difference!”

One student from the program, Arianna Zarka, of North Shore Hebrew Academy High School, noted that she “wanted to become an ‘Israel expert’ and I knew that I only had one year left before graduating high school. I was surrounded by Jews similar to myself and never heard any anti-Israel remarks…. On campus, there will be much more diversity and with diversity comes the possibility of anti-Israel sentiment.” She approached a teacher and together they formed Chovevei Zion, currently a six student Israel advocacy group. They read “The Case for Israel” by Alan Dershowitz and learned about Israel but, said Zarka, “I didn’t want to just read books about Israel. I wanted to be formally taught how to advocate for Israel, to gain leadership and communication skills and to teach other students how to do the same.” The teacher from the group suggested the MZ Teens group. Zarka joined the program, learning about Israel’s history “from the earliest Jewish presence in the land, to the situation that led to the formation of the state of Israel to the present conflict.” She said that the discussions are open and confortable and a forum to communicate effectively. Her group of nine students fron the northeast created iCare “a video campaign to raise awareness about the threat of Iran obtaining nuclear capability.”

“Before becoming a StandWithUs MZ Teen Intern,” said Zarka, “I found it unfathomable that there were people who strongly condemn Israel. I knew that there are anti-Israel activists, but when I thought about them, I pictured someone like Ahmadinejad; I did not think of college students who look and act just like me. Throughout the conference, we watched videos showing anti-Israel activity on campus, and what really transpires outside of my Yeshiva “bubble.” It made me realize that there are people who are as enthusiastic about condemning Israel as I am about protecting it. I learned that the majority of people either do not know or do not care about the Arab-Israeli conflict. They do not have enough facts about the Middle East to formulate an opinion. That’s my duty – to present the facts and let them decide for themselves.”

Overall, Zarka said that she learned much more about Israel, how to counter negative comments about Israel, how to speak with confidence and to think on her feet, and to analyze the media. She said that she is prepared to respond and is ready. She added that she is continuing to learn and grow on her own and with her teachers’ and mentors’ help. The program is important for every supporter of Israel, she stressed, but especially high school seniors who will need to be Israel advocates on college campuses. Also, she added, articulate teens make a positive impression in the media. Zarka wants to be a lawyer, pointing out that this program sharpened her skills, making her “more articulate and focused.”

Said Hanuka, “Our students are going to be the leaders of tomorrow. They were already on the path to becoming great leaders before we chose them and we are proud to be part of their journey.One teen really can change the world.”

Teenagers interested in applying should email MiriK@standwithus.com.