commentary

by Ruthie Lehmann

I srael advocacy high school students need facts now, not just when they go to college.

A

dvocacy for Israel has been established as
a priority by numerous Jewish organiza-
tions, and with good reason. Israel's poli-
cies have been loudly criticized both in print and
on television, generally by agenda-driven journal-
ists who distort the news by presenting only one
side of the story.
Unfortunately, college campuses have become
breeding grounds for blind hostility towards the
Jewish state. Numerous endeavors over the past sev-
eral years have been aimed at reaching out to young
Jewish men and women of college age. Organiza-
tions such as CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy
in Middle East Reporting in America) and Honest
Reporting provide speakers to address groups of
Jewish students on campuses and teach them essen-
tial facts regarding the Israeli-Arab conflict.
A Jewish teenager, however, cannot wait until he
or she goes to college to become aware of the cur-
rent situation in Israel — or, for that matter, of the
prevailing untruths spread on college campuses and
throughout society at large.
Over the past few months, students at Akiva He-
brew Day School in Southfield have been given the
privilege of hearing such speakers as Roberta Seid,
education/research director of StandWithUs; Neil

Lazarus, a globally acclaimed expert in the field
of Middle East politics, Israel advocacy and effec-
tive communication training; and Dr. Alex Safian,
CAMERA's associate director/head of research.
By providing students with facts and statistics,
these professionals and educators gave them tools
to respond to the misinformation encountered in
the news media and on college campuses. These

guest speakers began the training that will enable
Akiva students to gain further insight on how to ac-
tively support Israel.
Israel's supporters, both within and outside of
the Jewish community, must advocate for fairness
and accuracy in the media's coverage of the cur-
rent Israel-Arab tension. Those who truly seek a -
peaceful solution to the conflict in the Middle East
must identify effective ways to
educate like-minded individu-
als and encourage activism.
Though the ideal of peace is
still only a dream, by becoming
more informed people we can
help spread the truth and hope-
fully come one step closer to a
peaceful and diplomatic Israeli-
Arab coexistence.

Ruthie Lehmann,

17, is a senior

at Akiva Hebrew

Day School in

Southfield.

Neil Lazarus speaks of Israel advocacy to Akiva students.

continued from TT1

by Laura Katsnelson

g olng gap seniors tell why they chose a gap-year experience.

l\/1

om! Dad! Come quickly!"

Natalie Wanetick, 17, a senior at

to speak, but this time I'll pick

You eagerly tear the

Birmingham Groves High School, has

thick envelope, pull out

made the decision to spend a year

Jeremy Sherman, 17, a se-

crisp, official stationery with an

on the popular Young Judaea Year

nior at West Bloomfield High

academic seal on top and read the

Course in Israel. This nine-month

School, is doing something even

words: "Congratulations, we are hon-

program's mission is to blend aca-

more unique next year. As next

ored to reserve your spot in the Class

demic study with community living,

year's Grand Aleph Godol (Inter-

of 2014 of [Michigan State Univer-

volunteering, travel and fun. It com-

national President) of the AZA

sity/University of Michigan/ NYU/

bines university-level academics

youth group, he'll be taking a gap

Brandeis ...]: You shout with joy and

with experiential learning and allows

year designed especially for him. Jer-

hurry off to call all your friends with

participants to experience personal

emy will be traveling around the U.S.

the news.

growth and a strengthened Jewish

to visit different BBYO regions and

identity.

help them strengthen their branches.

Sounds like a standard experi-

ence this time of year. But not all

The best part is that I'll get to

some up!"

Sarah Rider, Jeremy Sherman and Natalie Wanetick

In addition, he will travel overseas to

high school seniors rush to notify the

live on my own and get real-world

regions in the United Kingdom, Bul-

admissions office of their decision

experience," Natalie said. "It's going

garia and Israel. Though his gap year

to attend that college in the fall. In-

to help me go outside of my comfort

is unconventional, Jeremy believes

stead, some teens choose to delay

zone." While it's a little scary, one

taking a year off is a good idea for

college plans to make room for a gap

thing she isn't afraid of is being be-

Jewish teens in general.

year.

hind in college; credits can be earned

Why do a gap year? High school

through the academics on the trip.

"I think people learn more in real

life than in the classroom," he said.

seniors Natalie Wanetick, Jeremy

"Academic-wise, I'm excited to

"Next year will be an adventure and

Sherman and Sarah Rider explain

learn Hebrew in an ulpan (Hebrew

I'll probably learn more about myself

why they are choosing to take off a

immersion course). The first time I

Jewishly, and in general, than I could

year before college.

was in Israel, I didn't know enough

from college."

TT2 teen2teen April 15.2010

Sarah Rider, 17, a senior at Bais

She hopes to gain in-depth knowl-

Yaacov in Southfield, will be attend-

edge of the Chassidic movement and

ing another type of gap year next year

is excited for what the next year has

— a seminary for girls in Jerusalem.

in store. She sums up the impor-

The female counterpart of yeshivah,

tance of a gap year by describing it

a seminary allows young women to

as "a way to figure yourself out."

live in Israel for a year while studying

"You're a child when you're in high

Torah and Judaism. At the moment,

school and an adult in college," she

Sarah has not decided on a specific

said, "so that year is the step in be-

seminary, but is considering Machon

tween: {

Shoshanat Yerushalayim, a 10-month

program that focuses on Chassidic

Jewish learning and volunteering.

The seminary helps young

women connect spiritually, emotion-

ally and physically with their Judaism,

and is a kind of starting line for the

rest of our lives," Sarah said.

Laura

Katsnelson, 17,

is a senior at

Walled Lake

Western High

School.

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