2008 Woodie Awards
YU Students Lobby for Israel in D.C.
A Nuclear Iran Tops Agenda
Avi Posnick
Issue date: 3/29/05 Section: News
On March 6 and 7, 15 undergaduate students traveled to Washington D.C. on a political mission to lobby on behalf of the State of Israel. The mission, a project of the Israel Club, Dunner Political Science Society, and Social Justice Club, was directed on the ground by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), and financially by the Avi Chai Foundation. The students met with their congressional representatives to discuss the danger of Iran's nuclear program, Israel's historic decision withdraw unilaterally from the Gaza Strip, and the importance of ongoing US monetary aid to Israel.
Devora Whitman, a senior at Stern College for Woman (SCW) and one of the mission's organizers, said the mission had two goals: first, "to show our representatives the importance we play in the US-Israel relationship and to show that we care," and, secondly, "the long term goal was to teach the students how to lobby and to learn about the political process." Whitman also hopes the participating students will take the skills they have learned back to campus to inspire their peers. Ari Fridman, YC '06, also stressed the importance of the mission, saying, "Lobbying Congress on behalf of Israel has a direct impact on passing legislation that benefits Israel."
SCW Israel Club President Hindy Poupko focused on the importance of student activism in the political process. "For an American Zionist, visiting Washington should be equally important to visiting Israel...The need for students to become politically engaged is of crucial importance," said Poupko.
The night they arrived in D.C., the students had the oppurtunity to hear from a former SCW student, Suzanne Anziska, currently the Chief of Staff for Congressman Brian Higgins (D-NY). They also met with Zahava Goldman, a Legislative Assistant for Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA); Robbie Diamond, the President and founder of the think tank Securing America's Future Energy; and Tevi Troy, the former liaison to the Jewish Community for the Bush/Cheney Campaign, and currently a domestic policy advisor at the White House. The speakers candidly shared their experiences of being Jewish and working in Washington, making a strong impact on the students. Ariel Rosenzveig, President of the Dunner Political Science Society, felt that "they gave me valuable insights into being a politically active young Jew in Washington--dealing with the issues involved as well as the large benefits."
Devora Whitman, a senior at Stern College for Woman (SCW) and one of the mission's organizers, said the mission had two goals: first, "to show our representatives the importance we play in the US-Israel relationship and to show that we care," and, secondly, "the long term goal was to teach the students how to lobby and to learn about the political process." Whitman also hopes the participating students will take the skills they have learned back to campus to inspire their peers. Ari Fridman, YC '06, also stressed the importance of the mission, saying, "Lobbying Congress on behalf of Israel has a direct impact on passing legislation that benefits Israel."
SCW Israel Club President Hindy Poupko focused on the importance of student activism in the political process. "For an American Zionist, visiting Washington should be equally important to visiting Israel...The need for students to become politically engaged is of crucial importance," said Poupko.
The night they arrived in D.C., the students had the oppurtunity to hear from a former SCW student, Suzanne Anziska, currently the Chief of Staff for Congressman Brian Higgins (D-NY). They also met with Zahava Goldman, a Legislative Assistant for Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA); Robbie Diamond, the President and founder of the think tank Securing America's Future Energy; and Tevi Troy, the former liaison to the Jewish Community for the Bush/Cheney Campaign, and currently a domestic policy advisor at the White House. The speakers candidly shared their experiences of being Jewish and working in Washington, making a strong impact on the students. Ariel Rosenzveig, President of the Dunner Political Science Society, felt that "they gave me valuable insights into being a politically active young Jew in Washington--dealing with the issues involved as well as the large benefits."