San Diego Communicates for Israel

San Deigo State University students come together to learn how to effectively advocate for Israel at the AEPi house.

West Coast Campus Coordinator Elran Tsabag teaches the Hasbara Fellowships "Communicating for Israel" session to members of SDSU AEPi, AEPhi, and Aztecs for Israel.



San Diego State University was crawling with buzz, as word got out that Hasbara Fellowships West Coast Campus Coordinator Elran Tsabag was on his way to share the Hasbara method with the SDSU community. On Wednesday, September 27, Elran taught the infamous Hasbara Fellowships session, Communicating for Israel. Members of the AEPi fraternity, along with some AEPhi sorority sisters, and Aztecs for Israel friends all came together to learn how to effectively discuss the hot issues pertaining to Israel.

The session was open to all members of the SDSU community, and over fifty attendees enjoyed delicious pizza, fruits and veggies provided by Hasbara Fellowships. After dinner, the students learned how to engage the average "apathetic" student in Israel-related issues, through tabling, events, and advertising. The audience was able to discuss hot political topics in Israel, as well as ask key questions on how to communicate positive messages about Israel.

Special thanks to AEPi president Matt Weiner for hosting, Aztecs for Israel executive board members Heidi Amundson, Yael Tzalka and Alina Katz, and Hillel Program Director Seth Rosenzweig for helping with the event.

Look out for additional news from the West Coast in the weeks to come!

Peace. 

Knowledge Based Zionism Begins!

 
Yoran Deckel speaks to a packed house in Montreal

 

 
Ben Feferman introducing the program

 

September 17th marked the kickoff of a semester long program called Knowledge Based Zionism. The program will feature such speakers as David Olesker from the Jerusalem Center for Advocacy Training, Director of Hasbara Fellowships Elliot Mathias and many many more.

Montreal started this breakthrough program last semester and it had received acclaimed success. So much that similar programs are being implemented on campuses across North America.

Students who complete the 7 week program receive a stipen towards either Hasbara Fellowships or any other pro-Israel trip to Israel. A special thanks to Efrat Sun who is the program coordinator.

"Unite what you feel, with what you know" 

There are exciting new things happening on the East Coast! As students are back in school many Israel clubs are planning various events such as Obsession, flags for humanity and various other new programs. As I've been traveling to mainly New York City schools I have found that students are very enthusiastic to have many programs in order to educate and build awareness on campus. In the Philly area Temple University was off to a great start as they had Ken Spiro come to speak about "Worlds in Collision." Many students showed up to this event and were blown away by Ken Spiro's presentation. We are getting ready for an amazing semester. I'm looking forward to visiting all the schools in the greater NY area! Can't wait to see you!

Help bring back home Udi Goldwasser, Eldad Regev and Gilad Shalit

Southern Whirlwind Campus Tour

The past two weeks have been nothing short of a Southern whirlwind for David Steinberg, Southeast Campus Coordinator, who has made campus visits in Maryland, DC, Texas, Florida and Georgia.

At American University, the College of Law hosted speaker Aryeh Green, who invigorated the crowd with an informative lecture on the values of Democracy and Human Rights in Israel.

During David's visit to the George Washington University, he met with Senior Hasbara Fellow Sharona Getz, and members from SAFI- Students Alliance for Israel, who are committed to having a successful semester of pro-Israel activism.

While at University of Maryland, David Steinberg met with Hasbara Fellows Maital Dahan, Lauren Krol, Simon Bleckhman and Senior Fellow Elina Yackubov. TERPAC - University of Maryland's pro-Israel organization is getting ready for a great semester, kicking off with a "Tel Aviv Beach Party" this upcoming Friday September 29th.

The University of Texas was an exciting stop for David, for he met with Student Body President and Hasbara Fellow Danielle Rugoff, as well as many other Texans for Israel activists, including Hasbara Fellow Erin Finger. Also, he had an opportunity to meet with Christian Israel supporters, who pledged to work with Jewish groups on campus to promote Israel.

Sunny Florida was especially inviting, with stops at the three largest universities in the state; University of Miami, University of Florida, and Florida State University. At University of Miami, Hasbara Fellow Amy Cohen is working to create Shalom UM, a pro-Israel activism group. Gators for Israel and Hillel of UF are working together to have many pro-Israel events this semester as well, including an Israel Week. At FSU, Friends of Israel President and Hasbara Fellow Sophie Tallent is building coalitions with Florida A & M University, a historically black university and are working together to having a huge Israel festival for both of the universities and the Tallahassee community.

Atlanta, Georgia was David's last stop on his first whirlwind tour of the South, and he met with Israel groups at Georgia State University, Georgia Tech's advocacy organization Jackets for Israel president and Hasbara Fellow Orit Sklar, and Emory University students.

All universities are planning stellar semesters for pro-Israel activism and are excited to be working with Hasbara Fellowships on numerous campaigns including: Flags for Humanity, Teach Kids Peace, and Obsession screenings.

apples and honey

Finally after a very long week of sleeping on an air mattress in an empty apartment , Obsession Campus Coordinator Karyn Leffel received her furniture and has settled in. Work on Obsession has been incredible with more than 25 schools setting up screenings for this unbelievable documentary. This is just the beginning…..

Karyn spent Rosh Hashana with Pnina Baim Hasbara’s Program Coordinator. Lots of delicious food and great company; amazing setting to start off the New year. The New Year has started well and we are on our way to a new beginning. Changes are good and although there is an occasional look back, continue forward towards the next step. Shana Tova to everyone!

The Life and Times of JC

It was an early, 4 am to be exact, Thursday morning when Campus Coordinator Jonathan 'JC' Cohen began his 4 week campus tour. His first stop was Brandeis University, his alma mater. Walking through his old stopping grounds, JC met with Hasbara Fellows Jennifer Bieber '09 and Jason Lustig '07. Old memories and great leaders fused together for some great activism planned for Brandeis this semester.



Spending the night overlooking the Mass Turnpike, Boston really has everything; JC split his day between Northeastern, Boston University, and MIT. Meeting with leaders on campus, Northeastern's Samantha Lemansky '10 and Dana Shulsinger '09 are already putting together sessions for Israel by the Book, Hasbara's 8 week Israel crash course. Israel by the Book is set to make its Boston debut during the Spring Semester! Jonathan had the pleasure of having Shabbat dinner with MIT students at the MIT Hillel. Joined by MIT Students for Israel president Stephen Fried '09, Jonathan presented the vision and goals of Hasbara Fellowships to over 50 students. Spending the rest of his Shabbat at Harvard, JC experienced Shabbat through the eyes of many Jewish college students in Boston.



Motzei Shabbat Jonathan hopped unto the Mass Turnpike making his way for UMASS-Amherst. Enjoying the sunny weather out at Amherst, JC met with Hasbara Fellow Shira S. Nouriel '08 discussing the goals of SAFI. The bar has been set high at UMASS-Amherst, especially after the screening of Obsession last semester, and the fellows at UMASS are up to the task. Hopping back unto the Turnpike, JC ended his Boston adventure with the Students for Israel-Northeastern general meeting, speaking about Hasbara Fellowships to many eager and energetic students. Students, who were in Israel this summer, shared their personal stories.



As his first week came to a close, Jonathan traded in his Boston Red Sox hat for a Pittsburgh Pirates hat. Making his first ever trip to the Steel city, Jonathan was very excited for his second week of campus visits.



Be on the look out for the next entry as JC joins Hasbara Fellows at Carnegie Mellon, University of Pittsburgh and Penn State for some Pennsylvania fun!

West Coast ablazin'

Last Thursday night, Aztecs for Israel at San Diego State University hosted two Israeli reserve officers who have recently returned from combat fighting in South Lebanon. Speaking to the SDSU community at the Chabad house near campus, Israel Defense Forces reserves Danny Sack and Shmulik Israel shared their experiences and stories of fighting terrorists in Lebanon. Afterward, the two joined the AFI group at the local pizza joint, Woodstock's, for Pint Night, where students had a chance to speak individually to their Israeli counterparts.

Meanwhile, West Coast Campus Coordinator Elran Tsabag has been travelling along the California coast, meeting with students and campus professionals. Although most of the schools in California have not begun their academic school year (it starts September 28), the students seem to be encouraged and driven to advocate for Israel on their campuses. Ideas have been flowwing out of them - we can only expect amazing events and programs to be held throughout the West Coast.

In Colorado, activist Eric Rosenberg is gearing up for University of Colorado, Boulder's Israel party on November 19, where the Israel group will be turning a local room into the average Israeli night club. Boulder students will have a chance to experience Israeli lifestyle through the daily functions of their Israeli counterparts.

Looking forward to a year filled with fun and excitement, wherever it may be throughout the region.

Shana Tova!

Queens University takes bbq to new heights...

 
Canadian Campus Coordinator Ben Feferman answers questions about Hasbara Fellowships

It is a tradition that many Hillel's start the year with an opening BBQ or sometimes called JEWBQ's. On Monday September 11th, Queen's University had there opening bbq which saw more than 200 students come to get there fix of kosher hot dogs.

Former Hasbara Fellowhsips Campus Coordinator Avi Schwartz, who is now the Hillel Director, called it, "a clear sign of the strength of the Jewish community at Queens and a direct result of the incredible work by the executive." 

Hadag Nachash Invasion

 
Hadag Nachash rocking it out at the Phoenix in London, ON
 
 
Canadian Campus Coordinator Ben Feferman registering a student
 
Hasbara Fellow Susie Muller registering an anxious student

On Tuesday September 12th Israeli hip hop icons Hadag Nachash rocked out at the University of Western Ontario in London. Nearly 500 students came out to see Israel's hottest and most eclectic act. Students were able to get a taste of Israeli music and kickoff the school year with a big blast.

The event was put together by so many people including Noah Slepkov, Tali Bogler, Ayelet Klaczkowski, Kyle Lichtman and "Didi". A special thanks to Hasbara Fellow Susie Muller for running the Hasbara Table.

The event was sponsored by Hillel, Hasbara Fellowships, AEPi, CJPAC and many other organizations. 

A night with Gamma Zeta Psi

 
 

On Sunday September 10th, while most students were unwinding from a long first week of school, the girls of Gamma Zeta Psi spent it differently.

Canadian Campus Coordinator Ben Feferman led a session called "Communicating for Israel" which outlined how to advocate for Israel, different messaging techniques and effective methodologies for running campaings about Israel.

Hasbara Fellow Eva Cohen organized the event with help from sorrority sister Eva Bach. The event took place at the JSA Hillel House in Ottawa.

Stay tuned for more great events in Canada! 

Lost in New York

My name is Karyn leffel and I have been hired as the new Obsession Campus Coordinator. I have had a crazy week trying to put things together for my big move but I am happy to say that by tomorrow evening I will officially be a Texan living in New York!I'm excited, motivated and looking forward to meeting and working with all of you. I still have a little last minute packing to do so I have to cut my introduction short but you will be reading more about me and my experiences soon!