Israel ed and advocacy lives everyday at HANC

Israel is an important part of everyday life at HANC High School. Throughout the year students are involved in academic and co-curriculum programs related to Israel education and advocacy.

This year, HANC was selected to pilot a program sponsored by Our Soldiers Speak, an intensive six month Zionism course given to all seniors. 

HANC’s Israel Advocacy Committee plans programs throughout the year to engage and educate the student body about Israel and what they can do to make a difference. From organizing a BIG Day to sell Israeli products to counter the BDS movement, to screening “Beneath the Helmet,” a film about Israeli teens’ struggle to transition from civilian life to the army one, the Israel advocacy program is always looking for ways to involve students. 

Each year HANC students are selected to participate in the prestigious Write On for Israel Program featured by the Jewish Week. Noted author Yossi Klein Halevi captivated students with his talk about his book, “Like Dreamers,” the story of seven paratroopers who fought for the liberation of Jerusalem in 1967.

Recently, students initiated a campaign to write letters to soldiers stationed on the Syrian border. The organization Stand With Us gave a seminar on how to respond to anti-Israel questions on campus. These types of programs inspire students to take action.

When the anti-Semitic opera, The Death of Klinghoffer, was to be performed by the Metropolitan Opera, a group of seniors went to protest the performance. 

The Israel Action Committee and HPAC (HANC’s Policy Awareness Committee) inviting students to participate in a series of “Lunch Talks” that included the screening of “Crossing the Line2,” a documentary about the BDS movement on college campuses across the country, and “Israel Election for Dummies,” which helped students further their understanding of the Israeli Political Process.

HANC alum and lone Israeli Soldier, Kevin Hochhausser, stopped in as a surprise for the crowded room of students. The entire student-body and faculty also watched Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress.