AIPAC Through Young .Eyes
Advocating for Israel is not a spectator sport.
Jordan Menczer
Teen2Teen Writer
A
s a new sophomore at the
Frankel Jewish Academy this
year, I decided to get involved in
the school's Zionist's Club. I never imag-
ined I would be chosen to represent FJA at
the AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs
Committee) policy conference early this
month.
More than 13,000 delegates (among
them 1,600 high school and college stu-
dents) from across the country converged
upon Washington, D.C., to learn, interact
and work to strengthen the relation-
ship between the U.S. and Israel through
cooperation, shared ideals, values and
principles.
AIPAC's list of speakers included
Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President
Barack Obama, Secretary of Defense Leon
Panetta and the candidates for the 2012
presidential election.
In a phenomenal speech, Peres detailed
Israel's five core values: the pursuit of
peace and security, an everlasting quest
for knowledge, an alliance with the U.S.,
ethical responsibility, and always to do
justice while never denying it to others.
His words have inspired me to become a
better person.
Netanyahu reassured AIPAC partici-
pants that he will do whatever it takes to
protect Israel. He stressed that the Israeli-
U.S. relationship is stronger than ever
before and unbreakable.
Breakout sessions followed the morn-
ing plenary. It was hard to choose
between Egypt's Evolution/Change in
the Post-Mubarek Era, History of the
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, U.S. Policy
in the Middle East and Friends of Faith:
Evangelical Christian Support for Israel.
I loved the insight from the profes-
sional speakers and those inside our
government who advocated their desire to
improve security, promote peace and the
love of freedom, and to improve the world
through innovation and humanitarianism.
Advocating for Israel is not a spectator
sport. To see true change and improve-
ment for Israel, I realized that I needed to
get involved in the policy process.
During a lobbying session with Rep.
Gary Peters (D-Mich), I was able to ask
for his support of legislation that will
enhance our bond with Israel by support-
ing more security assistance. He happily
said he would. I really felt like I was mak-
ing a difference and will truly feel accom-
plished when that legislation is passed.
This was my first AIPAC conference and
definitely won't be my last. I will never
forget my experiences there. I have real-
ized how important Israel is to me as an
American and as a Jew. Israel is our only
democratic stronghold in the Middle East,
and it is our duty to support the country's
safety and prosperity. H
Jordan Menczer, 15, of West Bloomfield is
a sophomore at Frankel Jewish Academy in
West Bloomfield.
Why My Involvement
In AIPAC Is So Crucial
Noga Barpal
Teen2Teen Writer
I
have always been deeply connected to the beauty of Israel's land and to the coun-
try's history. My grandfather served in the 1948 War for Independence and in the
British Brigade. My grandmother served in the Palmach (precursor of the Israel
Defense Forces) before statehood. My father and his entire side of the family served in
the IDF.
My fondest childhood memories are of annual trips to Israel to visit friends and
family. Each visit increased my appreciation for Israel's geographic beauty, and as I got
older, I began to recognize the constant dangers the country faces from its neighbors.
Here at home I've been able to show my support by attending events such as the
"Walk for Israel" and "Rally for Israel." In my junior year at Frankel Jewish Academy,
my Israel Advocacy class focused on the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Through
that course, it became clear that the dangers Israel faces are not limited to its Arab
neighbors. The lack of knowledge that exists in the diaspora, and particularly among
Jewish American students, inadvertently inflames anti-Israel sentiment by allowing
false claims to stand as truth. We need to educate ourselves, learn our history and
advocate for Israel with confidence.
Last summer I was privileged to attend the AIPAC Saban Leadership Seminar. The
seminar exposed me to an entirely different level of pro-Israel activism. One of AIPAC's
initiatives is to bring hundreds of high school and college activists from across the
country to participate in their leadership conferences. It is amazing to see the future of
the pro-Israel movement in one room.
However, these few hundred students cannot fight the ongoing battle of anti-Israel
sentiment alone. With such turmoil in the Middle East and the threat of a nuclear Iran,
Israel is facing more danger than it has in years. It is imperative for supporters of Israel
to step out of the shadows and become pro-Israel activists. College campuses continue
to serve as hubs for anti-Israel sentiment. It is crucial that Jewish youth in America
begin to take an active role in securing Israel's future safety.
I urge students of all ages to learn about the issues facing the Middle East today.
Learn about AIPAC by visiting its website — www.aipac.org — and learn how you
can get involved. AIPAC gives teens a way to connect with Israel and deepen that con-
nection by becoming educated advocates for the country. 1 ----
Noga Barpal, a senior at Frankel Jewish Academy in West Bloomfield, attended the recent
AIPAC policy conference.
34
March 22 . 2012
Frankel Jewish Academy students Noga Barpal and Jordan Menczer at the
Capitol