By Abram Shanedling

Despite having to kick off the semester by responding to a talk by an infamous Israel delegitimizer, the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Israel Coalition is moving at full speed organizing pro-active, positive Israel awareness initiatives on their Philadelphia campus.

Led by President and senior Evan Philipson, the Penn Israel Coalition (PIC) is a bi-partisan, pro-Israel umbrella organization, uniting students across the political spectrum and of various religions to raise awareness about the Israeli democracy and to strengthen the relationship between the community at UPenn, the US and Israel.

This semester, five Hasbara Fellows are involved with PIC: Rachel Baker, Rebecca Borison, Josh Dembowitz, Smara Gordon and Lisa Felber, helping the pro-Israel group achieve its strategic goals.

So far PIC has had its hands quite busy.

At the end of January, known anti-Israel professor, Norman Finkelstein spoke on campus about the 2009 Operation Cast Lead in Gaza. Philipson said that prior to the event, PIC members debated on how or if to respond, ultimately deciding to hand out fliers before the talk. While Finkelstein’s lecture apparently drew no major issues, Philipson said it did set the stage for PIC to get moving on pro-active Israel awareness.

Just last week, the pro-Israel group, sponsored by Hasbara Fellowships, hosted Sgt. Benjamin Anthony of Our Soldiers Speak to share his personal experiences serving in the IDF. According to PIC Treasurer Erich Sorger, the event drew more than 50 students from all different ages and backgrounds.

“Sgt. Anthony captivated his audience, leaving the listeners with a final message and a call to action,” Sorger said. “The event attracted many freshmen, showing that the new wave of students is engaged, aware and active. Additionally, the event attracted staff members and other unaffiliated adults from the Philadelphia area.”

Because of solid media outreach, PIC was able to get The Daily Pennsylvanian to cover Sgt. Anthony’s talk.

In addition, PIC has been helping raise funds to purchase new boots for Israeli soldiers in the Yahalom unit of the IDF.

But the IDF isn’t all that PIC has focused on. Looking toward Iran, the group sent several students last week to a screening of the new film Iranium, and is currently beginning preparations for Israel Peace Week as well as a spring lobbying trip to Washington, DC where PIC members will press for stronger sanctions.

For more information on PIC, visit the group’s Facebook Page or contact Evan Philipson at evanphilipson@gmail.com

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In related news, I will be in Philadelphia this Wednesday and Thursday, visiting Temple, Drexel and UPenn. On Wednesday at 6:15 pm I will be giving an advocacy workshop at the Temple Hillel with the Temple Students for Israel. For more information on how to attend, please contact Becky Arden at rebecca.arden@gmail.com.