Israel Advocacy
MSU Hillel, Lansing Federation jointly support speaker series.
REBECCA ELKUS
Special to the Jewish News
East Lansing
hen Jennifer Bloom attend-
ed a student political
debate on U.S.-Israel rela-
tions last fall, she realized her peers
had no idea why the two countries
supported each other.
"It scared me," she said. "So many
students on campuses across the coun-
try have no clue as to why the U.S.
supports Israel and vice versa."
Bloom, a Michigan State University
sophomore from West Bloomfield and
MSU Hillel's president of Sparty Pac
(Spartans for Israel), took on the
responsibility to educate her peers.
She created a four-part curriculum
on U.S.-Israel relations and advocacy
under the guidance of Cindy Hughey,
executive director of MSU Hillel. The
four-event series is a joint program
with the Greater Lansing Jewish
Welfare Federation.
"We [Hillel] needed something of a
large magnitude to reach students,"
said Bloom. "There are so many stu-
dents out there that say they are pro-
Israel, but they don't have enough
knowledge or are too afraid to go out
and be activists."
The curriculum series began on Jan.
24. Former U.S. Ambassador Dennis
Ross spoke to 300 students, commu-
nity members and Hillel supporters at
the Kellogg Center in East Lansing.
Ross spoke about the two nations'
pasts, presents and potential futures.
"This was an opportunity for stu-
dents to ask questions, interact with
the speaker and get excited about
what's in store for this curriculum
series," said Jeff Lazor, MSU Hillel
program director.
Avi Davidoff, a freshman from West
Bloomfield and curriculum series
committee member, said, "This kind
of program is important for students.
Students need to be aware of what is
going on in Israel, understand the
conflict and issues. People need to
know why there's a need and a reason
to advocate."
The series will continue on Feb. 28,
March 21 and April 12. The sessions
will discuss why Congress supports
W
Israel and how Israel supports the
U.S.; and how Israel combats terror-
ism and assists the U.S. in fighting
terror. The program will conclude
with students learning how to trans-
form their education into activism.
Students are expected to attend each
session in order to benefit from the
experience; said Lazor. Upon comple-
tion of the program, participants will
complete surveys, ranking their level
of knowledge before and after attend-
ing the series.
Bloom said the program is geared
towards educating both Jewish and
non-Jewish students. "It's important
that we educate within the Jewish
community and outside. Our genera-
tion has a responsibility to continue
what our predecessors have begun. It's
important that we cultivate strong ties
— otherwise, there is a fear that Israel
won't be around."
"There are a number of student
leaders on this campus," Bloom said.
"There may be a future CEO of a
major company, a congressman and a
president. These are the people that
are going to make a difference in the
world and I hope that this program
will help them in doing so."
❑
Three Left
MSU's "U.S.-Israel Relations and
Advocacy" series has three remaining
parts. The programs are free at the MSU
Union. They start at 8 p.m. and are fol-
lowed by a 9 p.m. reception:
• Monday, Feb. 28: U.S. Rep.Artur
Davis, D-Ala.,
"The Capitol Connection: Why
Congress Supports Israel."
• Monday, March 21: Steve
Pomerantz, former FBI assistant director
and chief of its counter-terrorism divi-
sion,
"U.S. and Israel, Partners in the Fight
Against Terrorism."
• Tuesday, April 12: Jonathan Kessler,
director, AIPAC leadership develop-
ment,
"Transforming Education into
Activism."
For information, call MSU Hillel,
(517) 332-1916.
Clockwise from top:
Students discuss Ross' lecture during a dessert reception.
Audrey Bloomberg, a junior from Farmington Hills, signs in with Rachel Zuckman,
a senior from Farmington Hills.
Avi Davidoff a freshman from West Bloomfield, assists Mitch Wagner, a senior
from Oak Park, to sign in.
The Scene calendar is on page 40
2/17
2005
39