By: Galia Nurko

“The bond between the United States of America and Israel is unbreakable.” Senator Sherrod Brown stated in a video he produced for the attendants at Buckeyes for Israel’s annual pro-Israel conference, Ohio Loves Israel.

“The bond between the United States of America and Israel is unbreakable.” Senator Sherrod Brown stated in a video he produced for the attendants at Buckeyes for Israel’s annual pro-Israel conference, Ohio Loves Israel. Students from various schools such as Cleveland State, Ohio University, Carnegie Mellon, and Kent State University attended the weekend long Israel advocacy weekend.

The weekend began with a Shabbat dinner hosted by Ohio States Hillel with guest performer Joel Chasnoff, a Jewish comedian who previously served in the Israel Defense Forces. Over 100 students from the conference and The Ohio State University attended the opening performance for the exciting weekend. The performance set a positive tone for the weekend.

Saturday morning kicked off after Shabbat services with a deeper look into campus advocacy. I led a session of campus media as a way to educate students on the importance of utilizing media outlets to reach a wider audience. Following my session, Hasbara Fellow, Wendy Cohen led a session on lobbying and illustrated the importance of reaching out to our congressmen. The afternoon ended with a debriefing session where each campus had the opportunity to discuss their own personal experiences with Israrl advocacy.

Saturday night was the main event. A political evening highlighting the importance of the US-Israel relationship and common threats they face, with a deeper look into the Iranian threat. As part of Hasbara Fellowships'  Adam and Gila Milstein Coalition Building Initiative, Buckeyes for Israel was able to sponsor a a screening of Iranium with a discussion led by former CIA agent Clare Lopez to discuss the Iranian threat, during a dinner with various campus leaders. An address was also made by Ohio Commission Paula Brooks, who addressed the importance of continual bipartisan support of the US-Israel alliance.  While speaking to las years Executive Director of College Democrats, Jake Foskuhl, he said, "the Ohio Loves Israel event was a great opportunity to learn about current political and cultural issues in the Middle East. College Democrats at OSU was proud to see prominent leaders such as Sherrod Brown and Paula Brooks speak at the event.” College Republican’s member Emily Stier also felt a similar way, and felt that “the programs catered to students with varying levels of knowledge of Israel issues and spent a lot of time opening up students eyes to the current and pressing threats posed by Iran. Ohio Loves Israel gave students a glimpse into the realities of the threat to the security of the state of Israel and most importantly, taught and reminded attendees why a unified and strong support of Israel is essential."

After Sunday’s lunch seminar with Tabby Davoodi, an Iranian Jew, Hasbara Fellow Mandy Gross from The Ohio State University said the conference was “important to attend because it reminds you of the goal. If you’re new it teaches you the basics and if you are a veteran it refreshes your mind on what is important.” Melissa Friedman, the President of Bobcats from Israel said before she returned to Ohio University that Ohio Loves Israel “ was a great experience! It taught me a lot about how to advocate for Israel and I am glad Buckeyes for Israel gave me the opportunity to attend.” The conference was a huge success and Buckeyes for Israel was proud to have bought not only leaders from the Ohio State community together, but also leaders from across the state of Ohio. Buckeyes for Israel, deserves a round of applause from the pro-Israel community on a successful three-day convention devoted to Israel advocacy.