Historical Events:
Attitudes of Different Generations Toward Israel
Jacob Millner
As Israel has grown, strengthened, and matured over the past 70 years of statehood, how it is understood and perceived has also changed. Once seen as the underdog, but now perceived as having defeated goliath, Israel today is often portrayed as an aggressor–the stronger nation. This has had a profound effect on the way in which attitudes toward Israel have changed over time. This session will discuss how different generations view the Jewish state and foretell the future of generational attitudes toward Israel.
Offered sessions 1 and 3
Founding of the Modern State of Israel
Raphael Danziger
Dr. Raphael Danziger will describe the emergence of the Zionist movement since its inception in 1897, through its creation and development of the Yishuv—the Jewish community in British-Mandate Palestine—until the establishment of Israel in 1948. He will focus on the main ingredients of the movement’s success: inspired leadership; a dedicated, determined, and competent Yishuv; the building of an effective defense force and civilian institutions that enabled the Yishuv to become a functioning state literally overnight; and the willingness to make compromises when necessary.
Offered sessions 2 and 4
History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict
Raphael Danziger
Dr. Raphael Danziger will analyze the stages of the Arab-Israeli conflict. After Palestinian violence had failed to dislodge the Jewish community in British-Mandate Palestine in 1920-1948, 5 Arab armies attacked the fledgling State of Israel in 1948. From then until 1967, Israel had to fight 2 more wars against regular Arab armies while the Palestinian issue remained dormant. After the disastrous Arab armies’ defeat in the 1967 Six-Day War, the Palestinians returned to the arena; since then, the conflict has been waged largely between the Palestinians and Israel, punctuated by the War of Attrition with Egypt (1968-1970), the Yom Kippur War (1973) with Egypt and Syria, and the 2 Lebanon wars against Hezbollah (1982 and 2006). Israeli military successes and political flexibility yielded 2 peace treaties—with Egypt in 1979 and with Jordan in 1994. The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is still ongoing, as is the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has recently been exacerbated by direct Iranian engagement.
Offered sessions 1 and 3
History of Development of the IDF
Bob Epstein
David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the Israel Declaration of Independence on May 14, 1948.
His first order was the formation of the Israel Defense Forces. The objectives were to defend the existence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the State of Israel; deter all of Israel’s enemies and stop all forms of terrorism which threaten the citizens of Israel.
The IDF was based on the personnel who had served in the Haganah and the Palmach. Invading Arab armies had 270 tanks and 300 aircraft. The IDF had zero planes at the beginning of the war and three tanks. The Israelis managed to defend themselves in all the battlefields except East Jerusalem.
On June 5, 1967 the Israeli Air Force launched a massive airstrike that destroyed 450 Egyptian, Jordanian and Syrian aircraft.
On Yom Kippur, 1973, the Egyptian Army deployed 100,000 soldiers and 1350 tanks in Sinai against the 450 soldiers of the Jerusalem Brigade with 290 tanks.
On the Golan Heights 28,000 Syrian troops with 800 tanks attacked 3000 Israeli troops with 180 tanks.
The IDF has developed the following: Merkava battle tank, Achzarit personnel carrier, Iron Dome missile defense system, F-15I jet, THEL Laser defense system , the Arrow missile defense system and the Galil and Tavor Assault rifles.
Robert Epstein will present the history of the Israel Defense Forces, including the role the IDF played in the referenced battles, and more importantly, what the IDF is doing today.
Offered session 1, 2 and 3
The History of the Peace Process and Why No Peace?
Jesse Stock
Explore the Israeli – Palestinian peace process throughout history. Dozens of proposals have been presented to both parties, yet peace remains elusive. Together, we will explore peace negotiations, including direct, indirect, bilateral, and multilateral, and whether or not peace is possible in one of the most tumultuous regions on earth.
Offered sessions 1, 2 and 4
Israel’s Political System and its Effects on Israeli Society
Asher Saida
Advanced understanding of the Israeli Politics. Asher Saida, an Israeli-born political activist, will explain (i) the nuances between these systems, (ii) how the ultimate power has typically depended upon which political party is able to form a coalition with other parties to achieve the desired majority vote and (iii) whether this is why Israel is principally a secular country. And, what about the current conflicts in the Knesset? Is Israel going through a major shift of political philosophy? Asher will explain all of these pressing issues.
Offered all four sessions
Israeli Missile Defenses – An Example of U.S./Israel Cooperation
Charles Perkins
Rockets aimed by Hamas at Israeli towns; threats of additional rockets from Syria and Lebanon; and, what about Iran, with long range missile capability and the expressed objective to “wipe Israel off the face of the earth?” And, what North Korea does with its missiles today, will that inspire Iran what it may do tomorrow? How does Israel cope with these threats? As will be explained by Charles Perkins, a specialist in U.S./Israel missile defense collaboration, the answer so far is the strength of the U.S./Israel relationship. As Mr. Perkins will explain in detail, it was the collaboration of Israeli technology and funding support from the United States that resulted in the successful development of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, saving hundreds, if not thousands, of lives from the Hamas rocket attacks. And how this missile defense cooperation, including now on David Sling, Arrow, and other future Israeli missile defense systems designed to defend against longer and more extensive air missile strikes, has led to increased collaboration between the United States and Israel on other technology efforts . Mr. Perkins will discuss how this ever-increasing collaboration is benefiting the United States with advances on its own missile defense systems and emerging technology.
Offered sessions 1, 2 and 3
Support from the Pro-Israel Non-Jewish Communities:
An Orthodox Jew and Evangelical Christians- How Israel Has Brought Us Together
Gidon Ariel
Gidon Ariel grew up as a nice Jewish boy in Queens, NY. He swayed from convention when he made Aliyah, but really hit it out of the park when he started cozying up with Evangelical (read: Jesus-loving) Christians. Join Gidon, a pioneer in interfaith relations in the Jewish State, as he tells his own story, explains why teaching Torah to gentiles today is possibly the Torah’s most important commandment, and talks about Root Source, the Internet’s first and biggest platform for Orthodox Israeli Jews to teach Christians around the world about the Jewish roots of their faith.
Offered sessions 1 and 3
How Non-Jewish Allies of Israel Can Effectively Support and Advocate for the State of Israel
Fred Maroun
Public opinion is an important battleground in which anti-Israel and anti-Zionist public pronouncements are directed to discredit Israel as well as convince governments and institutions to boycott Israel, in order to attempt to weaken Israel economically and eliminate it from the world stage. With world Jewry representing less than 0.2% of the world’s population, and public opinion, particularly in Muslim – majority countries, afraid to take Israel’s side publicly, it becomes incumbent upon non-Jewish allies of Israel to speak up and more effectively defend Israel, and the good that this country does for this world. Fred Maroun will discuss his own experience and activism as a non-Jewish ally of Israel and will offer what he sees as effective ways for non-Jewish allies to support the modern State of Israel.
Offered sessions 1 and 4
The Interconnection and Interdependence of Christian and Jewish Zionism from 1640 to 1900
Robert Dean
The history of Christian Zionism has roots in 17th century Britain. During this time the rise of the Puritan and their understanding of the Bible led to a shift in the interpretation of the Bible, and they became enthralled with the Jewish people and a desire to help them be restored to their historic homeland. About the late 19th century, Theodore Herzl wrote Alten Neu Land and help give birth to Jewish Zionism, a movement with roots that went back at least seventy years. Herzl was unaware of the Christian movement, as they were of what was going on in the Jewish community. The dramatic reality is that through these centuries from 1640-1900, unknown to each other, multiple movements within both communities were working toward the same end. Reading this history together reveals a pattern of intertwining and interdependence that came to full fruition when a Southern Baptist President from Missouri was the first national leader to recognize the reborn State of Israel. In this session we will look at several remarkable episodes in this history which I hope will whet your appetites to learn more.
Offered sessions 1 and 2
Why is Israel Important to the Christian community?
Robert Dean
Many of my Jewish friends have asked over the years, Why are Christians so pro-Israel? After centuries of hostility and Christian anti-Semitism, why have things changed, what is the difference today from previous centuries? Others ask if this support from Christians is something that is dependable? In this session we will look at the basis for Christian Zionism, and why it has become such a significant movement in recent decades.
Offered sessions 3 and 4
Israel’s Contributions to the World:
Israeli Delicacies – Anyone for shakshuka?
Limor Lahav
Wow! Who cannot remember those great Israeli breakfasts we all had on past missions to Israel! Now, without the long plane ride, we can all sample, in the Dallas Metroplex, the shakshuka and all other Israeli delicacies that remind us of our last, or make us look forward to our next, visit to Israel. We will explain the historical background of different unique Israeli food items, and then let you taste each morsel. And, if you are really attentive, she may even consent to teach you how to make particular food items. Come, learn, and nosh. And bring home some recipes.
Offered all four sessions
Israeli Wine-Tasting
TBD
What will be presented and tasted are some of Israel’s finest wines. Israel is one of the world’s oldest and longest producing wine regions, and is now looked to for variety, innovation, and aroma. Although Israeli wines are mostly kosher wines, they are not your bubbe’s sweet wines! Come taste and learn for yourself.
Offered sessions 2 and 3
Israel’s Role in Cyber-Security Technology
Toba Hellerstein
How US-Israel cybersecurity partnerships and government-industry relationships can strengthen the bilateral relationship.
Offered sessions 3 and 4
Technion presents “SURGICAL THEATER: From Fighter Pilots to Surgeons; Using Virtual Reality to Perfect the Critical Mission”
Moty Avisar
Technion Alumni Moty Avisar and Alon Geri had an idea. What if surgeons could preview their surgical procedure much like fighter pilots pre-fly their missions? Now, just a few years later, surgeons at major medical institutions are utilizing Surgical Theater’s transformative enterprise-wide virtual reality medical visualization platform called Precision VR™ long before a patient is prepped for surgery. This first-of-its-kind immersive environment allows for unparalleled patient education and engagement, while also delivering next-generation surgical planning and navigation capabilities. The Surgical Theater presentation will include an interactive demonstration. Those signing up for this topic before August 1 will be sent a link to an “App” that, through Google or Apple, will enable virtual participation in the Virtual Reality demonstration. At the presentation itself, those with the App will be provided with clip on virtual reality glasses for their smartphone, which will bring this experience to life.
Offered sessions 1 and 4
Tikkun Olam Without Borders: Healing the World Through Global Medicine
Lynne M. Quittell
Hear how a unique medical school in the Israeli desert, Ben-Gurion University’s Medical School for International Health (MSIH), prepares doctors to address complex health concerns throughout the world, and to practice medicine across cultural, geographic and technological boundaries. Taught in English and drawing students from around the world, BGU’s MSIH gives its graduates the clinical skills and medical knowledge to put patients first – whether in a humanitarian crisis, a refugee clinic, or in one of the world’s leading medical centers.
Offered sessions 1, 2 and 3
Current Issues:
Are the Jewish People Indigenous to the Land of Israel?
Ryan Bellerose
Backed by his findings of historical and archaeological facts, Mr. Bellerose, an indigenous rights activist presents support for his indisputable conclusion that the Jewish people are indigenous to the Land of Israel and refutes those who attempt to claim Israel has no inherent right to the land. While acknowledging that Palestinians also have legitimate rights due to longstanding presence on portions of this Land, this does not trump the indigenous status of the Jewish people. Mr. Bellerose examines the archaeological, genealogical, and historical parallels between indigenous rights movements and Zionism and the rights of the Jewish people to live and remain in Israel. His talk will discuss strategies for confronting and refuting false anti-Zionist and anti-Israel accusations of Jewish colonialism and racism using the recognized criteria of indigenous peoples (common history, connection to the land, religion, common language and culture).
Offered session 4
The Changing Place of Israel in American Jewish Identity
Tal Becker
The relationship between Israeli and North American Jewry is not just about shared values and shared interests, it is also about shared narratives that operate in profound ways to tie communities together. But sustaining and enriching these narratives face significant challenges in light of generational change, different realities and the divisions that exist both within Israeli and American societies and sometimes between them over the issues of the day and our response to them. Join renowned scholar and thought leader, Dr. Tal Becker, for a fascinating conversation to explore the nature of the American Jewish relationship with Israel, how it may be changing, and what we can do about it. Live from Israel.
Offered session 1
Crisis in Israel- threats from Iran to chaos in Gaza
Neil Lazarus
From fire bomb kites to the masses marching on the border, Gaza remains one of the largest unresolved challenges that Israel faces. In addition, Iran’s growing hostility to Israel on the northern border is developing into a potential conflict. Join Neil Lazarus in a timely discussion about the strategic challenges that Israel faces. Live from Israel.
Offered sessions 2 and 4
The Criticality of Bi-Partisanship to the U.S./Israel Relationship
Lillian Pinkus
In today’s hyper partisan environment how and why do we sustain bi-partisan support for Israel. Lillian Pinkus, past national president of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (“AIPAC”), discusses how the ever-changing demographics of this country, as well as the consequent fluctuations in its domestic and foreign priorities, have resulted in the rapid turnover of the constituency and the partisanship of our political leadership, particularly in Congress. How, therefore, do we continue to assure that support for Israel continues, irrespective of the then-controlling partisanship? Does our rabid support for one party and the derogation and deprecation of the other party for their alleged lack of support for Israel backfire when the other party assumes power, as history has shown it will? Lillian will consequently explain the criticality of maintaining bi-partisan support for Israel, in Congress and in all our governmental institutions, lest our hyper partisanship result in driving away the very people who we will need work with us to assure the existence and viability of the State of Israel.
Offered all four sessions
Effect of Media and Social Media on Israel
Jacob Millner
In today’s world of the democratization of the press, “fake news”, and hyper-partisanship it is hard to know what to believe and what not to believe. Israel has always been a hot topic in the media and has predictably become a flash point on social media. This session will explore the impact of media and newer forms of media on messaging, perceptions, attitudes regarding Israel and Israel advocacy.
Offered sessions 2 and 4
Getting Under-represented Populations to Fully Participate in the Start-up Nation
Chaim Sukenik
Israel has a severe shortage of personnel in critical professions ranging from high tech engineers (e.g., software engineers, electrical engineers) to health care professionals (e.g., doctors, nurses, pharmacists). High level training of under-represented populations (e.g., Ethiopians, women, ultra-orthodox) for employment in these professions is the best way to solve the shortage and to advance these segments of society both socially and economically. It is also the key to avoiding the looming economic crisis resulting from persistent poverty in rapidly growing demographics such as the ultra-orthodox community. A number of ways in which this challenge is being addressed in Israel today will be discussed.
Offered session 3
Human Rights Hijacked for Hate: Fighting the Campaigns to Delegitimize Israel
Gerald Steinberg
Prof. Gerald Steinberg founded NGO Monitor in 2002 – in the wake of the UN “World Conference Against Racism” in Durban, South Africa. At the conference’s NGO Forum 1,500 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) adopted a “Final Declaration” that revived the notorious 1975 UN “Zionism is racism” resolution. The NGO declaration referred to Israel as an “apartheid” state, guilty of “war crimes,” “genocide,” and “ethnic cleansing.” The document called for the international community to impose a complete and total isolation of Israel, marking the beginning of boycotts, divestment, and sanctions (BDS).
In fighting this form of political warfare, NGO Monitor has the unique mission of confronting and seeking to name and shame the NGOs that drive BDS and delegitimization, and to confront the European governments and other donors that fund them. Prof. Steinberg has led this battle, providing actionable analysis that documents the abuses by powerful organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, their many affiliates, and their funders in enabling BDS, lawfare, and other delegitimization campaigns against Israel.
Prof. Steinberg will discuss NGO Monitor’s research and the impact that has followed, demonstrating that, in many instances, funding under the banner of “human rights,” “humanitarian aid,” and other worthy causes has instead been redirected and abused – including for supporting terrorism and incitement.
NGO Monitor, directly or through local partners, shares its data with decision makers – Foreign Ministers and Parliamentarians/Members of Congress, successfully making the case for cutting off the financial lifeblood for BDS. NGO Monitor has already cut more than $50 million in funding to these politicized NGOs. This is reflected in reduced funds for BDS on campus, in churches, and elsewhere.
Offered session 1, 2, and 4
Israel on the Disaster Forefront – IsraAID’s Global Humanitarian Aid Agency
Niv Rabino
Since 2001, IsraAID has become synonymous with rapid response to humanitarian crises, with their medical teams, search and rescue units, water engineers and post-trauma mental experts leading international responses to global emergencies. As of 2017, IsraAID has responded to humanitarian crises in 43 countries, and currently, has programs in 20. In this talk, Niv Rabino, Director of Programs and Outreach and Head of Mission to several of IsraAID’s missions, will discuss stories from the field of Greece and Texas, and will share IsraAID’s commitment to lifesaving emergency relief and long-term development for populations affected by natural disasters, epidemics and post-conflict situations.
Offered sessions 2 & 4
The Mutually-Beneficial US-Israel Relations (What’s in it for the US?)
Yoram Ettinger
Contrary to conventional “wisdom,” US-Israel relations constitute a mutually-beneficial two-way-street, not one-way street. While the US is – by far – the senior partner, it derives unique military and economic benefits from the bilateral ties with the Jewish State. Thus, the annual appropriation to Israel is erroneously defined as “foreign aid” (in order to get Congressional support for the overall, global foreign aid package), since it constitutes an “investment,” which has produced an annual rate-of-return of a few hundred percent. Israel has been the most effective and unconditional outpost, which has substantially extended the strategic hand of the US without the need to deploy US troops. Israel is a grateful user of hundreds of leading US military and homeland security systems, employing them in battlefield conditions, serving as the most productive battle-tested laboratory of the US defense industries, yielding mega-billion-dollar bonanza to the US. Over 250 major US high-tech companies operate research & development centers in Israel, leveraging the brainpower of the Jewish State, which has enhanced the competitiveness of their products, increasing their exports and expanding the US employment-base.
Offered sessions 3 and 4
The Myth of Projected Jewish-Arab demographics: no Arab population time bomb has occurred
Yoram Ettinger
In 2018, contrary to conventional “wisdom,” well-documented demographic data highlight Jewish demographic optimism with positive economic and military implications. At the end of the 19th century, the demographic Jewish establishment ridiculed Theodore Herzl’s vision of a sovereign Jewish State in the Land of Israel, projecting a tiny Jewish minority within the envisioned Jewish State. During the 1940s, the eventual founder of Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics lobbied David Ben Gurion against declaration of independence, forecasting an overwhelming Arab majority in the Land of Israel. Political correctness precluded significant Aliyah and assumed that Arab fertility would always feature high Third World levels, while Jewish fertility would sustain low European fertility levels. However, once again, reality has defied convention, highlighting the Westernization of Islamic fertility rates (other than in the sub-Sahara Moslem societies), while Israel’s Jewish fertility is higher than most Arab societies. In addition, net-emigration has characterized the Arabs west of the Jordan River, while net-immigration has bolstered Jewish demography since the late 19th century. The suggestion that the Jewish State is facing an Arab demographic time bomb constitutes a dramatic mistake or an outrageous misrepresentation.
Offered sessions 1 and 2
The Portrayal of Minorities (Arab, Ethiopians and the Orthodox) in Israeli Film
Ariel Boxman
Rabbi Ariel Boxman will briefly discuss specific minorities in Israel and how they have integrated into society. She will then use Israeli film clips to demonstrate the realities of the integration and how Israeli film portray the cultural tensions.
Offered sessions 2 and 3
The Settlements and Israeli Politics
Gidon Ariel
While “The Settlements” has the reputation of being the thorniest issue between the Israelis and the Palestinians, perhaps even in the entire Middle East and by extension the world, few people have actually had the opportunity to hear the pro-settlement position straight from a settler’s mouth. Gidon Ariel, a former New Yorker who has lived in the West Bank for nearly thirty years and is a senior member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling Likud party, as well as an activist in Settler-Palestinian dialogue, will present a quick history of the Settlement movement, share anecdotes about life there, and pit pro-settlement arguments against anti-settlement ones. Plenty of time will be allotted to questions from the audience.
Offered sessions 2 and 4
State of the Campus
Andrew Pession
Andrew Pessin keeps a close eye on the campus scene in his job as Campus Bureau Editor of the Algemeiner. This session will survey the state of the North American campus with respect to anti-Israelism in general and BDS and SJP in particular. There is some good news to share, but there is no shortage of truly alarming news as well, as some campuses have now entered a period of serious anti-Israel (and sometimes straightforwardly anti-Semitic) fervor. Some new ideas about pro-Israel strategies will be explored as well.”
Offered session 1
Stopping BDS at the Source: A Behind the Scenes Look at Cutting NGO Funding
Dov Yarden
“Follow the Money” – Dov Yarden, CEO of NGO Monitor, will discuss who funds the annual $120 million BDS campaigns to delegitimize Israel and how NGO Monitor works to eliminate the funding at its source. Prof. Gerald Steinberg will add to this discussion, giving his firsthand account of how he and NGO Monitor have achieved real results. Together, they will talk about the changes made in Israeli and other government policies and legislation that have passed as a result of NGO Monitor’s actionable research and policy strategies being implemented to challenge and erode the resources used by the BDS movement.
NGO Monitor is the most respected go-to source of information for government officials, diplomats, journalists, and professionals in the field, providing expertise on the central role of NGOs in the Arab-Israeli conflict.
NGO Monitor’s research is responsible for cutting millions of dollars in government funding to radical NGOs, implementing policy changes in North America and Europe. For example, our research highlighting NGO ties to terror groups has led to millions of dollars in NGO funding cuts. NGO Monitor also exposed a “human rights” activist’s Nazi Memorabilia collection and was instrumental in demonstrating the false NGO claims behind Judge Richard Goldstone’s infamous report on the 2008-9 Gaza war, leading to its retraction. We are also investigating who is funding BDS campaigns on campus and revealing NGO double dipping to receive European funding.
Offered session 4
The Three Pillars of the Special US-Israel Relationship: Interests, Values, and Politics
Eran Lerman
Dr. Eran Lerman addresses the three pillars necessary to sustain and grow the U.S./Israel relationship. Commencing with Interests, Dr. Lerman first explores the need for the U.S. and Israel to stand together (and with others in the region) against common enemies, and how such Interests have shifted in meaning and nuance in recent years. He next explores the pillar of Values, specifically Israel’s and the U.S.’s common values and the emerging threats to those values. Finally, Dr. Lerman addresses the pillar of Politics, particularly political dynamics and the dangers inherent for both Israel and the United States of political polarization. This breakout session will offer a sophisticated view of the U.S./Israel relationship and its dynamic interaction with the world, in general.
Offered session 2
Torah to Technology – The Role of Jerusalem College of Technology
Chaim Sukenik
The dream of Israel-Prize winning physicist, Prof Zev Lev, was to train people steeped in Torah Values to be the leaders of the State of Israel in the IDF, in academia, and in high-tech industry. The school he started in 1969 – the Jerusalem College of Technology, AKA Machon Lev – was the first to offer training in electro-optics, the field that is the heart of both high speed communications and high resolution imaging. His graduates have since dominated these fields in Israel. We will review the achievements of Professor Lev and his students (including leading roles in the Arrow 3 missile project and the Air Force Satellite Surveillance unit) as we consider the current interplay between the religious and secular communities in the IDF and in High Tech.
Offered sessions 2 and 4
United We Stand Divided We Fall
Neil Lazarus
At the age of 70 is Israeli society facing divisions so deep that they endanger the very unity of the Jewish state. Join Neil Lazarus for this timely webcast from Israel and explore how many of the divisions in Israeli Society have yet to be addressed. Live from Israel.
Offered session 3
U.S. Role in Maintaining Israel’s Air Superiority in the Middle East
Eric Fox
The F-35 military multi-role aircraft, currently the most advanced fighter jet in the world, has allowed Israel, purchaser of fifty of these aircraft, to defend itself from air attacks. Eric Fox, a head of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, the developer of the F-35, will talk about the history of development of this aircraft, as well as describe the extra – ordinary performance of this aircraft, using videos to emphasize not only its air fighting superiority, but the extraordinary technology associated with this fighter plane. (Hint – consider a helmet that allows the fighter pilot to simultaneously view enemy aircraft approaching from the front, behind, above, and below, without turning one’s head.) Then, thanks to Charles Pulman, view the exclusive photos of the touch down at an air force base in the Negev near Beersheba of two of the first F-35s ordered by Israel.
Offered 1, 3 and 4
Panel Discussions:
Addressing the Divisiveness in the Diaspora Due to the Israel/Palestinian Conflict
Panel discussion by experts in this field
There is no doubt that the Israel/Palestinian conflict continues to detrimentally affect Israel’s citizens and pose danger to all living under these conditions. But is the resulting divisiveness in the diaspora even more dangerous to American Jewry? As the issues become more and more polarized, are alliances with the non-Jewish community replacing those traditional alliances within the Jewish community? Is this conflict in fact driving away our American Jewish youth? Will the divisiveness in fact result in loss of support for the U.S./Israel relationship, and therefore, in time, loss of Israel itself? Is the antagonism shown by one American Jewish faction against another American Jewish faction good or bad for Israel? for American Jewry? Who, besides the Almighty, knows which faction is right? These and other related issues will be addressed by multiple panels of spiritual and community leaders. Come join in the discussion.
Offered sessions 1, 2 and 4
Combating Anti-Israel and Anti-Semitic Activities on High School and College Campuses
Panel discussion by experts in this field
The new battleground are the campuses where attempts are ongoing to twist the minds of our Jewish youth against those very principles upon which they have been raised, against Israel and the moral foundation upon which Israel was founded, and finally, against Judaism itself. Learn from panelists who have been, and still are, engaged in the everyday fight against BDS on both High School and College campuses. Learn the techniques for this fight by what seems to be working, and what appears to be not. Learn what organizations, like Hillel and Stand With Us, are succeeding, and which are still struggling. This is a panel discussion which has been particularly designed for parents to help their teens effectively confront these issues.
Offered sessions 3 and 4