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