Taking the Israel Experience Back to Campus

By: Avi Fuld

This past Sunday night, the Brandeis Zionist Alliance, Brandeis’ Israeli culture club, hosted its “Coming Back from Israel” event. The event, which built upon last year’s Birthright and Burritos event, targeted students who had just returned from trips to Israel and wanted to learn how to become involved with Israel activism on campus.

Approximately 30 students came out in support of this event and sat through presentations from several campus Israel groups. One of the most interesting groups was the newly formed TAMID group. Established by Hasbara Fellows, Dana Kandel and Benny Sternberg, they wanted to bring an alternative outlet to campus for students interested in supporting Israel. Dana Kandel explains, “TAMID was founded a few years ago by students at the University of Michigan to align the personal and professional aspirations of business-minded students with the collective interests and landscape of Israel.” Many students, who until now have not been involved, seemed intrigued by this unique program.

Several other groups presented their different approaches to Israel advocacy, and they were well received.  I was also invited to speak, giving a brief information session on Hasbara, appealing to the future Fellows in the audience. To top off the evening, Meggie Wyschogrod, Hasbara Fellow and current Director of Academic Affairs for the Israeli Consulate of Boston, addressed the students and reiterated the importance of getting involved with Israel advocacy after returning from such memorable trips, such as Birthright. Meggie’s words ring true for any campus, and not just Brandeis. Almost every campus with a Jewish presence has Birthright alumni, and they usually remain an untapped source of people who love and care for Israel. As Hasbara Fellows and leaders on your respective campuses, make it your personal goal to reach out to theses students and provide them with means to express their Zionism.