ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS, SCIENTISTS, AND THINKERS. for college students by college students Lawrence Technological University isn’t for just anyone. We want the future designers, engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs who will create the innovations of tomorrow. Developing Skills Israel advocacy fellowship offers support and training for student leaders. Academic Summer Camps! Experience the fun of college life and make new friends. Check out LTU’s summer camps for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. David Solomon } jewish@edu writer Register now at www.ltu.edu/summercamps. admissions@ltu.edu 800.225.5588 Southfield, Michigan LTU ranks fifth among U.S. colleges and universities for boosting graduates’ earning power. – Brookings Institution Architecture and Design Arts and Sciences Engineering Management David Solomon, left, speaks with Linda Scherzer, journalist, former Middle East correspondent and Israeli TV reporter. Possible is everything. 2066140 FIND WITHIN Opportunity knocks. Research, internships, study abroad, and service learning are built into nearly all of Grand Valley’s 200+ areas of study. These, along with our liberal education foundation that fosters critical thinking, creative problem solving, and cultural understanding, prepare you well to answer the call of a rewarding career and life. gvsu.edu/find 2074350 44 February 18 • 2016 s college students, we are taught our experiences inside the univer- sity prepare us for the real world. The information we learn in class enhances our critical thinking. Student clubs build future leaders. We live in a society where any reasonable goal is attainable through educa- tion. One such example is through advocacy, in particular, Israel advocacy on campus. Over the summer, I was chosen by Hillel of Metro Detroit (HMD) to represent HMD and the University of Michigan-Dearborn at the Israel on Campus Coalition (ICC)’s Grinspoon-Morningstar Fellowship. ICC’s goal is to strengthen the pro-Israel move- ment on campuses across the country. In doing so, ICC conducts research on anti-Isra- el activity, educates college students on how to combat negative propaganda and leads conferences in Washington, D.C., to raise awareness on the importance of Israel. As one of 50 fellows from around the country, and the only fellow from Michigan, I was recently exposed to speakers all across the political spectrum who educated us on how to effectively approach Israel’s detrac- tors. As a rule, ICC presents Israel advocacy as a bipartisan issue. Recognizing that each campus is different, Grinspoon-Morningstar fellows are educated on effective approaches to counter anti-Israel propaganda. The fellowship begins with a national training conference in Washington, D.C. While there, I met with students from around the country who are passionate about Israel. These students are leaders of campus Hillels, fraternities and sororities, activists and advo- cates, Democrats and Republicans, Jews and gentiles. We were united as supporters of Israel, yet each had different experiences and tactics in raising awareness. A I remember one student recalling an incident of anti-Semitism on her campus. Wearing a Jewish star should not instigate conflict; however, we live in a society where people hate us for supporting Israel. The strongest asset of ICC is that we network and share our ideas of what works. In one seminar from a journalist who writes for a national media outlet, Grinspoon-Morningstar fellows learned how to write an effective op-ed letter. In this particular session, emphasis was placed on writing to those who don’t have a firm opinion on Israel. Learning about op-eds, ICC showed me that, even if student groups prevent divestment from Israel, a doubt in Israel’s ethical behavior still remains in the minds of our peers. If the pro-Israel move- ment is to be successful, then a positive image is vital. This semester, I know I am not alone in the pro-Israel debate. Working alongside Hillel of Metro Detroit, I will have support both from students and faculty. With ICC and HMD supporting me, I plan to host several programs focusing on dialogue and highlighting Israel’s many contributions to the world. All over the country, students are rallying behind Israel and defending its right to exist. Our universities each bring unique qualities to the pro-Israel movement. Grinspoon-Morningstar fellows are the lead- ers in promoting a positive image of Israel while countering false accusations placed against it. @ David Solomon of West Bloomfield is a senior at University of Michigan-Dearborn, the past president of the UM-Dearborn Jewish Student Organization and active member of Hillel of Metro Detroit.