By: Chananel Weiner

Over 50 Hasbara fellows attending New England schools gathered to network, share ideas, and get motivated to advocate for Israel this semester at the Hasbara Fellowships New England Reunion Kickoff event.

Students attending were treated to a sophisticated menu of hors d’ oeuvres while overlooking the Boston skyline from the 14^th floor of the Hyatt Regency Cambridge. The evening also included the launch of the Friend Request Pending Campaign along with an introduction of the staff and newly formed student leaders board.

Natalie Milstein, campus coordinator for Tufts University, and Avi Fuld, campus coordinator for Brandeis and Northeastern University, did an amazing job hosting the event and explaining all of the new initiatives to the fellows while exciting them about being effective advocates for Israel this coming semester.

Natalie said “we appreciate all of the advocacy and effort you put into your campuses and thank you for coming out tonight.”

Avi remarked “it’s nice to see everyone together again, it’s like being back in Israel.”

Representatives from the Combined Jewish Philanthropies, the arm of the North American Jewish Federation in Boston, and the Israeli Consul General’s office to New England were in attendance and addressed the students expressing their gratitude for their efforts and availed their resources to everyone.

“Hasbara Fellows get stuff done!”  said Nathan Ciccolo, CJP/Israel Campus Roundtable director.

Leehe Ralph, Academic Affairs office of the Israeli Consul General to New England, expressed the gratitude of the State of Israel to the group and said that she is looking forward to working with everyone this coming semester.

Rabbi Chananel Weiner, Hasbara campus advisor and director of Aish Campus Boston, inspired the group expressing that the battle for Israel is a battle for our values and that when our values are attacked we must, just as Jews have done throughout the centuries, stand up against the injustice and fight back.

Students across the region are pumped up to campaign for Israel and empower their student groups to be effective and active this coming semester.

Thanks to all of you that came out to show everyone how deeply you care about Israel and our collective future.  Have a great semester of programming!

**For more pictures, please click here!!

***To see the video, please click here

Fellows in attendance were from Harvard, Tufts, Brandeis, Boston University, Boston College, Northeastern, Berklee School of Music, Wheaton, and Wellesley.