At the University of Florida Hasbara Fellow Claire Miller and the Jewish Student Union capped off a successful month and Israel Week from Nov 15 – 21, garnering a slew of media attention in the local newspaper and showing what a well thought out public relations campaign can achieve for pro-Israel efforts.

Beginning with a talk by former Knesset Member Effie Eitam at the end of October at Hillel, the JSU at UFfollowed a week later by hosting Ishmael Khaldi of the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Khaldi was also a Deputy Consul General of San Francisco and currently the highest ranking Bedouin in the Israeli government. Through thoughtful media outreach, Claire was able to get the Independent Florida Alligator to run a preview of the event.

Students at Gainsville who enjoyed Khaldi’s discussion of Israeli politics were treated only a few weeks later when the JSU brought Jerusalem Post Political Correspondent Gil Hoffman in to discuss his perspective as an international journalist. The event, on Nov 18 was also picked up by the Alligator.

Besides providing Florida students with unique opportunities to hear expert perspectives on the Arab-Israeli conflict, the JSU at UF’s Israel Week succeeded most in sparking new awareness as was evident by two great op/eds in the Alligator that week by UF students.

Student Micah Lutkowitz writes in his piece, “Israel’s Relationship with U.S. Vital,” “As a beacon for democracy and human rights in the Middle East, Israel is the only nation in the region with which support for the U.S. is guaranteed.”

And in response, UF engineering student Kyle Murray wrote, “It’s clear how Israel is important to American interests on so many levels. From politics, to human rights, to the cell phone in your pocket, Israel’s significance is undeniable.”

Congratulations Claire and the JSU on such a successful month!

Florida International

Meanwhile at nearby Florida International, Hasbara Fellow Rebecca Sterling has made quite an impact for pro-Israel awareness on campus, helping found a brand new Israel action group FIU Shalom.

Now with 10 members and several dozens more attending events, the group is really focusing on new recruitment and coalition building. Some upcoming events include a talk by Gil Hoffman and a reception with over 40 student leaders at the end of the month with keynote speaker Paul Hirschson, the Deputy Consul General of Israel to Florida and Puerto Rico.

In Other News

TONIGHT at the University of Wisconsin-Hillel, the Madison-   Israel Public Affairs Committee (MadPAC) and Hasbara Fellowships is sponsoring a fascinating discussion on Israel and the environment with experts from the Green Zionist Alliance.

Hasbara Fellow and MadPAC board member Chelsea Kauffman said the event should  be a great opportunity to partner with local environmental student organizations to show how Israel has led efforts to promote global sustainability.