PAST EVENTS
'JEWISH OLYMPICS'
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October 25, 2013 Northeastern University Hillel Boston, Massachusetts |
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Four students who participated alongside 10,000 other Jewish athletes at the Maccabiah over the summer reunited at Northeastern Hillel's recent Israel-themed Shabbat dinner.
The Maccabiah is an international athletic event held in Israel every four years. Athletes from 72 nations competed in more than 30 sporting events ranging from baseball and basketball to judo and Greco-Roman wrestling. Read more at the news@Northeastern website. |
BOSTON'S AMAZING ISRAEL RACE INSPIRES |
October 6, 2013 Coolidge Corner Brookline, Massachusetts |
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"In which sport did the Israeli athlete who secured Israel’s first gold medal at the 2004 Olympics compete? What percentage of Israeli Jews are of Middle Eastern or African descent? Which is smallerIsrael or Massachusetts? Find the kosher eatery that is named after Israel’s capital. These and other questions and tasks were part of a scavenger-hunt-style competition called “The Amazing Israel Race,” which was held in Brookline’s Coolidge Corner on Sunday The participants raced one another to various establishments and landmarks that were in one way or another related to Israeli food, culture and history, led by clues and obstacle tasks. The sixth annual event attracted about 30 teams of four participants – a turnout of about 120 college students, local families and young professionals – who did not let the rainy weather keep them indoors." - The Jewish Advocate |
STUDENTS EXPLORE DEAD SEA SCROLLS |
September 29, 2013 Museum of Science Boston, Massachusetts |
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"I was so excited to see the Dead Sea Scrolls here in Boston. The [Museum of Science ] exhibit was completely different from that in Jerusalem. Instead of preparing the visitor for what was inside with lovely architecture, this exhibit had a lot of artifacts leading up to it: pottery, coins, maps, things such as this to give the visitor context to what the Dead Sea Scrolls were all about.
The exhibit even included a replica of the Kotel, with one stone that was actually a part of the Kotel. Visitors were able to write notes in the wall and the museum is going to put them in the Kotel in Jerusalem. Even though seeing the Dead Sea Scrolls in Boston wasn't the same as seeing them in Jerusalem. It was still incredible to look down at a scroll written thousands of years ago and read scripture that is still in use today. Seeing this exhibit made me very nostalgic for my summer in Jerusalem. I miss Israel very much and this exhibit brought a little bit of the things I love about Israel back to me." - Melanie Weiser, Boston University 2014 |
MIT STUDENTS RETURN FROM ISRAEL TOUR |
May 27, - June 7, 2013 Taglit-Birthright Israel All over Israel, the Middle East |
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40 students from MIT recently returned from a free 10-day tour of Israel with CJP's Taglit-Birthright Israel program. Students visited the capitol city of Jerusalem, the cultural hub of Tel Aviv, nature sites, and places of historic import like Masada. The students were joined by six Israeli servicemen and women. |
STUDENT ACTIVIST GALA CELEBRATES CAMPUS LEADERS |
April 11, 2013 Marriott Kendall Square Cambridge, Massachusetts |
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Students from campuses all over Boston came together at the Marriott Kendall Square in Cambridge to learn about Israeli literature (and take home some free books), cinema in Israel.
Students also dined, and most importantly, received official certificates from the Consulate General of Israel to New England. Outstanding student leaders received the awards as a thank-you for their hard work on campus promoting Israeli culture, travel, and tradition. We recognize the time these students have dedicated to this important cause while maintaing a full course-load at their school. 
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200 UMASS-AMHERST STUDENTS EXPERIENCE ISRAEL IN 2013 |
February 26, 2013 UMass-Amherst Amherst, Massachusetts |
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With the assistance of Combined Jewish Philanthropies and UMass-Amherst Hillel House, over 200 students from the state's flagship public university have or will visit Israel in 2013.
80 students participated in the free ten-day Taglit-Birthright Israel program over winter break, and another 80 students will participate in the trip this summer. For many, this trip represents their first time in the Jewish homeland. Approximately 12 of those students will return to Israel this summer on the Onward Israel Boston program, which places students in a professional internship in the field of their choice. Participants will be able to delve deeper in exploring their connection with the country of Israel while on the program. Other students will visit Israel through Alternative Spring Break trips this March. Many students are becoming involved with the school's Student Alliance for Israel. |
TUFTS STUDENTS CREATE MURAL OF ISRAELI STREET LIFE |
February 4 - 7, 2013 Tufts University Student Center Medford, Massachusetts |
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After participating on a Taglit-Birthright Israel program, Tufts University students came together to paint a mural about their experiences. The design for the mural came from a meeting of the students, where many differing opinions about the country were expressed.
It was decided to focus on the street markets in Israel, due to their special nature within Israeli society, which mimics the chaos and the beauty within the country as a whole. The Israeli market, or shuk, is a staple in Israeli culture and shopping in one is an encounter that shouldn’t be missed. Overcrowded and disorganized, the shuk houses a wide variety of goods, delicious local produce, and prepared foods. Shopping at the shuk can be stressful, but the experience exposes onlookers to the most diverse populations in Israel and an immeasurable richness. The mural was created in Tufts main student center. All students and staff that passed by were encouraged to help create this artwork, with a large, diverse group of undergrad students participating. |
STUDENTS DISCUSS THEIR BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL EXPERIENCES |
January 15, 2013 Boston University Boston, Massachusetts |
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Every winter and summer, 500 Boston-based students visit Israel through the IACT Initiative, CJP's partnership with the Taglit-Birthright Israel program.
Students from Boston University came together to share their participation in the program, in a 2-minute video entitled: "Advice from Your Peers: Why You Should Sign Up for BU's Birthright Israel Trip." Registration for FREE 10-day Summer 2013 Taglit-Birthright Israel programs, at BU or any other college or university in the Boston area, is available by clicking here! |
BOSTON GLOBE COVERS BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL PROGRAM |
December 19, 2012 The Boston Globe Boston, Massachusetts |
CHANUKAH CELEBRATIONS IN HARVARD DORM |
December 9, 2012 Harvard University Straus Hall Cambridge, MA |
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This year, the second night of Chanukah saw Harvard freshmen celebrating the ancient Jewish holiday in their dorm at Straus Hall. Encouraged by the Jewish House Life Project, each of the eight nights of the "Festival of Lights" will be celebrated in a different Harvard dormitory. Over 40 participants enjoyed latkes and apple sauce, lighting the Chanukah menorah, and playing a game of dreidel. According to tradition, the dreidel game was created about 2,500 years ago when the Greeks outlawed Jews from studying Torah in the Land of Israel. While studying in secret in the caves of the Judaean desert, dreidels were always kept nearby to prepare for visits by Greek authorities. In such instance, students would quickly hide their books and pretend to be gambling. |
STUDENTS RALLY
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November 19, 2012 Congregation Mishkan Tefila Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts |
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While hundreds of rockets were being targeted at Israeli cities by Hamas, dozens of students attended a rally in support of Israel and "Freedom from Fear" with Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.
As the Boston Globe reported, "More than 2,000 backers of Israel, including Governor Deval Patrick, attended a rally at a synagogue here Monday night to show support for the country amid its escalating military conflict with Hamas. Under heavy security, rally attendees packed Congregation Mishkan Tefila, which was decorated with American and Israeli flags, as well as pro-Israel signs bearing slogans such as 'We Stand With Israel' and 'Israel Seeks Peace.'" 
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GET BACK TO
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October 25, 2012 Hampshire House Boston, Massachusetts |
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150+ students and young professionals joined 25 Israel program organizations to discover how to Get Back to Israel. Students learned of various options to deepen their connection with Israel through study abroad, professional internships, Jewish learning programs, advocacy missions, and community service learning. Keep up to date with theTravel section of our website! 
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ISRAEL ON
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October 11, 2012 Improv Asylum Boston, Massachusetts |
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Israel on Your Feet saw 40 students came together for an incredible night with the Improv Asylum in Boston.
Students learned from improvisation pros on how to listen and then talk on their feet. Students are now able to apply these skills during conversations with peers on campus about hot-button topics. Students were also treated to dinner and a free show put on by the Improv Asylum. The event was co-sponsored by CJP and The David Project. |
FILM CLIP RECAPS
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September 1, 2012 Jerusalem & Haifa Israel |
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MIT STUDENT CALLS FOR BI-PARTISAN SUPPORT OF ISRAEL |
August 2, 2012 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts |
July 4th preparations at US Embassy to Israel
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MIT student Rachel Bandler has penned an opinion piece in The Jerusalem Post eloquently calling for bi-partisan support of Israel.
Bandler invites liberal supporters of Israel explain how their liberal values strengthen their relationship with the world's only majority-Jewish country. She states that, despite statements made by President Obama, which some have viewed as lacking a full appreciation of the complexities of the Middle East impasse, he has nonetheless backed up his support of Israel in "both word and deed." Bandler cites Obama's recent support of $70 million in aid for Israel's defensive "Iron Dome" system, which has struck down rockets from Gaza, and can avert those from Iran, before reaching civilian areas. |
40 STUDENTS RETURN FROM 6 WEEKS WITH ONWARD ISRAEL |
July, 2012 Jerusalem and Haifa Israel, the Middle East |
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This summer, CJP partnered with the Jewish Agency to provide students with a unique post-Birthright experience: Onward Israel.
Students were given the choice of spending six weeks either interning at a prestigious company in Jerusalem, or engaging in serious community service learning in the northern city of Haifa. Matt Haimowitz, Tufts '14, explains that he was "constantly amazed and inspired by the success stories that have come out of Israel. For such a small country, surrounded by an array of threats and limited natural resources, Israel has been able to thrive in making a difference not only domestically but globally as well." Shoshana Oppenheim, Tufts '15, comments that, "In Jerusalem, I feel like I’m always in the right place at the right time." To read more accounts of the participants' summer spent in Israel, peruse the Student Blog. |
I-FEST CELEBRATES ISRAELI INDEPENDENCE |
April 27, 2012 Amherst College Green Amherst, Massachusetts |
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Amherst College celebrated 64 years of Israeli independence this spring with a barbecue, fun house, and over 100 friends. Interesting facts about Israel were hung on trees in the college green in order to learn more about the Jewish homeland. In the past year alone, Amherst College has sent dozens of students on the Taglit-Birthright Israel free 10-day tour of Israel and the Alternative Spring Break in Haifa in March. 
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AMAZING ISRAEL
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April 22, 2012 Boston, Massachusetts |
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On April 22nd, 150 students and young adults gathered at the Hampshire House by the Boston Common to compete in the Amazing Israel Race.
Teams of four deciphered clues that led them to action stations around the city. At the stations, participants found Israeli products in Boston stores, read a speech by Bostonian Zionist Leonard Bernstein, exercised in an IDF-style bootcamp, and sang along to Israel's winning 1979 Eurovision entry. 
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Watch the Amazing Israel Race 2012 Video Recap! |
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FUTSAL FOR
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April 1, 2012 Marino Center | Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts |
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On April 1st, Birthright Alumni at Northeastern organized a soccer tournament called "Futsol for the Kids" to benefit the Gavrieli school in Haifa, Boston's sister city. The students raised $500 to be spent on new sporting equipment for the Gavrieli school. This includes nets, soccer balls, and basket balls. The Northeastern students observed that the equipment needing replacing during their visit on their Birthright trip this Winter. Northeastern students who will travel on Birthright during the Summer will deliver the equipment after visting a local Israeli sporting goods store. The event was organized by Northeastern's AEPi and AEPhi brothers and sisters, along with Huskies for Israel and Northeastern Hillel. Futsal is soccer, with a mini-soccer ball and hockey goals. The tournament consisted of simple 5 on 5 games (including a goalie). |
ALTERNATIVE
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March 18 - 26, 2012 Haifa, Israel |
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This March, 20 students from Boston-area campuses visited Haifa, Israel to participate in an Alternative Spring Break trip.
Participants learned about the Boston-Haifa Sister City connection as a precursor to engaging in social action projects. Students cleared brush for new growth in the Carmel Forest. They met with the Mayor of Haifa and went hiking. Additionally, students harvested food for Leket, Israel's largest food bank. 
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LEADERSHIP STATEMENT
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March 5, 2012 Tufts Unviersity Medford, Massachusetts |
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The back cover of the Tufts Daily sported a statement signed by 40 student leaders at Tufts University. The statement read: "As a student leader at Tufts, I support the U.S.-Israel relationship." By signing the statement, student leaders were representing their own personal views, and not the views of the organization they represent. Nevertheless, the signers included seven Senators from the Tufts Community Union Senate, along with the Captains of various sports teams and the Presidents of fraternities and sororities. The statement was organized by Tufts student Aaron Tartakovsky and the Tufts American Israel Alliance and Tufts Friends of Israel. |
BOSTON CAMPUS DELEGATION VISITS AIPAC |
March 3 - 6, 2012 Washington Convention Center Washington, D.C. |
Amherst College representing in front of the U.S. Capitol
IACT Coordinators with AIPAC President Lee Rosenberg
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Students and staff from CJP's Birthright Israel Campus Initiative, IACT, participated in AIPAC's 2012 Policy Conference, described as "three of the most important days affecting Israel's future."
Students heard from President Barack Obama, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, among other distinguishable and notable speakers. The conference also served as a great way for students to meet peers at other Boston-area campuses. Students spent a day lobbying on behalf of Israeli defense needs at the U.S. Capitol, in addition to participating in plenary sessions. 
Prime Minister Netanyahu's reflection on a jumbotron
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CJP'S LAWYERS & ACCOUNTANTS DINNER |
January 25, 2012 Park Plaza Hotel Boston, Massachusetts |
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With over 500 Boston-area lawyers and accountants in attendance, 30 students added their dynamism to CJP's annual Lawyers and Accountants Dinner. The students - alumni of the Taglit-Birthright Israel program, which sends Jewish youth aged 18-26 on a free 10-day tour of Israel - participated in the dinner to share their stories with CJP stakeholders. UMass-Amherst students shared a video they created of their time spent on an Alternative Spring Break trip in Haifa following their Birthright trip. 
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MIT HUMMUS EXPERIENCE ANNUAL TASTE-OFF |
January 19, 2012 MIT Lobby 10 Cambridge, Massachusetts |
MIT Tech / Elizabeth L. Rosen
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Ethan P. Sherbondy ’14, Katharine Schutz ’14, and Leah Alpert ’13 serve various flavors of hummus during the "The Annual Hummus Taste Off" held underneath MIT's famous dome.
Attendants sampled among different hummus creations made by student teams and voted for their favorite. The winning flavor was “Messrs Bentry and Lolpert’s Silk Road Hipster Hummus with Grapefruit Black Tea Infusion.” Afterward, students were able to taste samples from Tribe Hummus, Cedar's, Sabra, JP Licks Hummus Ice Cream, among others. This event was co-sponsored by MIT Hillel, MITSI (MIT Students for Israel), MIT Israeli Students Association, MISTI-Israel, and ASA's-LEF. |
STUDENTS SPRUCE UP
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January, 2012 UMass-Amherst Amherst, Massachusetts |
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Many students who travel to Israel can’t wait to return. UMass Hillel offers them a way to go and give back to the country that has become so important to them.
In January, 2012, UMass-Amherst students on UMass Hillel's fourth annual community service trip to Israel with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). The students made a huge impact on a needy neighborhood in the city of Ramla. They spruced up entryways to apartment houses, planted gardens, and painted colorful murals. Everything they did was done not just for, but also side by side with, the immigrant population from Ethiopia, Russia, and North Africa who live there. One woman from a building that was literally transformed by our students called them “malachim min hashmayim – angels from heaven.” Our students, in turn, experienced the great joy of making a difference for others. |
STUDENTS RETURN FROM TAGLIT-BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL |
January, 2012 Colleges and Universities Boston, Massachusetts |
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Representing 11 Boston-area campuses, over 500 college students traveled to Israel this winter to partake in their first group tour of the country.
Students hiked up the ancient fortress of Masada, dined in the modern metropolis of Tel Aviv, visited holy sites in Jerusalem, explored nature, and more. If you or someone you know is interested in joining a FREE tour of Israel this summer, pre-register here today! 
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HARVARD STUDENT DEFENDS ISRAEL |
December 3, 2011 Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts |
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Harvard Law student Lee Hiromoto '13 penned an op-ed for The Boston Herald about Israel's respect for human rights.
Having served in Israel's Defense Forces as a gay soldier, a practice which Israel has permitted since 1993, Hiromoto has first-hand experience with Israel's treatment of minority groups. 
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THE ROLE OF
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November 17, 2011 Boston University Boston, Massachusetts |
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70 students, including Birthright Israel alumni and students from the Political Science department, came to hear a talk by Danny Yatom, the former Director of the Mossad.
The Mossad is Israel's Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations. The Mossad collects information vital for the safety of Israelis, and acts when necessary to take out threats. Some of the Mossad's more famous alleged operations include the capture of Nazi leader Adolf Eichmann from Argentina, the destruction of a French plant where material for an Iraqi nuclear reactor was being assembled, and acquiring a Soviet MiG fighter jet and loaning it to the U.S. Yatom spoke about the Arab Spring and the threat of a nuclear-armed Iranian regime. He discussed what these developments mean for the Middle East in general, and Israel specifically, and speculated as to how Israel may react. |
COL. RICHARD KEMP SUPPORTS ISRAEL |
November 17, 2011 Brown University Providence, Rhode Island |
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Colonel Richard Kemp, British war veteran and former commander of British troops in Afghanistan, was invited to speak at Brown University about his perspective on the realities of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
The event attracted a broad audience, totaling over 100 people. Kemp spoke about the double standards applied to Israel by the media and why this situation has developed, engaging students with his frankness and touches of humor. The event continued with a dessert reception for student leaders and the Colonel. A range of students attended, from leaders of Brown Students for Israel, to the presidents of Model UN, the Brown Democrats, and the Brown Veterans Society. Col. Kemp engaged with students, asking the students about themselves and answering their questions. Students were particularly appreciative of the interest Kemp showed in learning about the students’ academic and extracurricular passions. It was a great opportunity for campus leaders to meet one another, having been brought together by a common interest in Israel. |
THE BANALITY
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November 17, 2011 Emerson College Boston, Massachusetts |
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Israeli playwright Savyon Liebrecht's The Banality of Love takes the audience on a journey into the complex relationship between philosophers Hannah Arendt and Martin Heidegger, from their first encounter as student and teacher in 1924 to their meeting after the Holocaust in 1950.
The American premiere of The Banality of Love by Savyon Liebrecht was held on November 17th at Emerson College’s Bill Bordy Theater and on November 20th at the Goethe Institut Boston. The Emerson College performance was followed by a panel discussion featuring Emerson Performing Arts Professor Craig Mathers, Emerson Communications Studies Professor Pablo Muchnik, and Northeastern’s Holocaust and Media Professor and former Boston American Jewish Committee Executive Director Larry Lowenthal. The event was sponsored by the Israel Campus Roundtable, in association with the Consulate General of Israel to New England and Emerson Hillel. 
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A NIGHT
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November 17, 2011 Student Union Ballroom University of Massachusetts-Amherst |
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The Jewish Student Union at UMass-Amherst recently partied as they would in Tel Aviv: with a night of fun, good music, entertaining personalities, glow sticks, and dancing all night long. Over 500 students brought some style to the Student Union Ballroom! Additionally, students learned about study abroad programs in Tel Aviv. 
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BRANDEIS STUDENTS MEET WITH GOV. PATRICK |
November 14, 2011 Brandeis University Waltham, Massachusetts |
(L-R) Brandeis Student Union President Herbie Rosen, BIPAC President Joshua Kaye, Governor Deval Patrick, BIPAC Vice President Hannah Switlekowski, Fmr. BIPAC President Sarah Geller, Brandeis University President Fred Lawrence
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When Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick recently visited Brandeis University, the Brandeis Israel Public Affairs Committee (BIPAC) wanted to thank the Governor for his support of Israel.
BIPAC wrote a letter to the Governor, in part stating that, "Your commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship will help establish peace, stability, and liberal democratic values in the Middle East." The letter was signed by leaders of Brandeis' Student Union, College Democrats, Libertarian-Conservative Union, and Tea Party Nation. On November 14, BIPAC presented this letter to the Governor, along with University President Fred Lawrence. Joshua Kaye '13, President of BIPAC, said, "we wanted to thank Governor Patrick for his ongoing and deepening support of Israel, both through his words and actions, and we wanted to show him that this support was very bipartisan." |
MURAL ADDS TO
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November 6 - 11, 2011 Wellesley College Wellesley, Massachusetts |
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Wellesley College Hillel had the unique pleasure of hosting artist Diana Gilon, who led students in painting a mural which represented the variety of cultural affiliations on campus. This multicultural mural painting project brought dynamism and energy to the Wellesley College campus. The project was successful in that it attracted people of many different backgrounds to paint a piece of art that will soon be on display on campus. After brainstorming about thematic concepts for the mural, the painting took one week to complete. 
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STUDENT OP-ED
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November 10, 2011 Emerson College Boston, Massachusetts |
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HOST OF ISRAELI
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November 5 - 7, 2011 All over Boston Boston, Massachusetts |
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Israel's Channel 2 covered Azar's Boston visit
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Assi Azar, the host of Israel's "Big Brother" TV show, visited Boston in November for the American debut of his documentary, "Mom and Dad: I Have Something to Tell You."
The film details his journey as a gay man in the media, with specific emphasis on the impact that coming out as a gay person has on parents. Azar interviewed his parents, along with other Israelis and their families, for the project. Throughout his time in Boston, Azar showcased his film with the Boston LGBT Film Festival at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge, as well as at Gann Academy in Waltham, and at Boston University and Emerson College in Boston. |
STUDENTS CREATE
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October 22 - 29, 2011 MIT Student Center Steps Cambridge, Massachusetts |
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What are the colors and symbols of peace? When artist Diana Gilon meets with college students, she poses this question as they together dream up ideas for school murals. At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, students designed a mural of the university’s famous dome, its columns decorated with crosses, yin yangs, stars and moons and Jewish stars, and its top filled with names of leaders in science and technology, from an Israeli instant messaging company to an ancient Persian mathematician. The mural, which now hangs in the Religious Activities Center, reads, “Disciples of the wise bring peace to the world. These beacons of technology are our paths to peace.” Ms. Gilon completed an artist residency in Israel in 2004, ended up making aliyah and marrying an Israeli. The couple returned to the United States last year for Gilon’s husband to study at Columbia University. |
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CELEBRATING ISRAELI CULTURE ON THE STAGE |
October 20, 2011 Emerson College Boston, Massachusetts |
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Producing Artistic Director and Emerson College Student, Guy Ben-Aharon
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A MODERN
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October 19, 2011 Harvard Graduate School of Design Cambridge, Massachusetts |
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Student participants from the Harvard Graduate School of Design had a few weeks to propose an innovative design for a temporary pavilion that conformed with all the traditional rules of a kosher sukkah. A sukkah is a temporary dwelling in which Jews eat dinner during the week of Sukkot each autumn, to commemorate the fragile conditions upon which the Israelites traveled from Egypt to Israel.
The contest was won by Tian Ren, Nick Gu, and Patchara Wongboosin. Their concept was to emulate the journey of the ancient Israelites from the bondage of Egypt to freedom. The entry of the sukkah is a narrow ramp that one must journey through to ascend to the main gathering space. An interesting aspect of the winning design was the utilization of cutting edge design methods to generate the form of the sukkah. The design was created using parametric software that allowed the designers to vary the cross section over the length of the sukkah. Jurg Conzett, a Switzerland-based structural engineer who is guest lecturing at the school for the fall semester, consulted with the team on the project. The completed sukkah was up for three weeks, during which time it received a lot of use from students, faculty, and local community members. An inaugural sukkah party was held during the holiday that explained the concept of sukkah and allowed the design school community to view the finished product while enjoying falafel and sample Israeli wine. JewSD, the official Jewish student group of the GSD, co- sponsored the contest with Harvard Hillel and CJP. |
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STUDENTS HOST
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October 17, 2011 Brown University Providence, Rhode Island |
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The Brown University Democrats and Brown University Students for Israel hosted a talk by U.S. Representative Barney Frank (D-MA). Frank called Israel "one of the most democratic centers in the world," referring to the only liberal democracy in the Middle East, and praised this fact, given that Israel is "always under attack." Frank also spoke of his support for repealing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" U.S. military ban on gay soldiers, referring to Israel's acceptance of gay soldiers since 1993. Speaking of Hamas' rule in Gaza, Frank said that the Islamist government must recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state -- the only Jewish country in the world. |
INTER-CAMPUS STUDENT ACTIVIST BRIEFING |
September 26, 2011 Boston University Hillel Boston, Massachusetts |
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The Consulate General of Israel to New England, along with CJP and the Israel Campus Roundtable, hosted the Israeli Embassy's Counselor for Public & Academic Affairs in North America, Gali Baram. Baram addressed the Jewish and pro-Israel communities in Boston regarding emerging events in New York, Washington, and the Middle East. Following the briefing, the Israel on Campus Coalition presented national initiatives and action steps. Over 60 students attended this important event, which included a raffle for two tickets to the Boston Jewish Film Festival. |
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SALVADOR DALI DEPICTS RETURN TO JEWISH HOMELAND |
September 23, 2011 Brown University Providence, Rhode Island |
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Salvador Dali, the famous surrealist painter, was commissioned in 1967 to paint a set of 25 images for the State of Israel's upcoming 20th anniversary.
The Brown University-RISD Hillel Gallery portrayed this collection for public viewing. The set is entitled, "Aliyah: The Rebirth of Israel." The gallery viewing received a write-up in The Brown Daily Herald. 
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BIRTHRIGHT REGISTRATION AT UMASS-AMHERST |
September 14, 2011 Campus Center UMass-Amherst Amherst, Massachusetts |
As the school year began, so did Keren Hatkevitz's efforts to push
the Taglit-Birthright Israel program to UMass-Amherst students.
Keren, an Israeli spending the year at the flagship campus of the state university,
was offering Jewish students who had not been to Israel before on an organized trip
the chance to see Israel up-close for 10 days for free.
By the time registration was over, over 70 students signed up to travel
to the Jewish homeland over Winter Break 2011-2012!
the Taglit-Birthright Israel program to UMass-Amherst students.
Keren, an Israeli spending the year at the flagship campus of the state university,
was offering Jewish students who had not been to Israel before on an organized trip
the chance to see Israel up-close for 10 days for free.
By the time registration was over, over 70 students signed up to travel
to the Jewish homeland over Winter Break 2011-2012!
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CAMPUS GROUPS
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September 13, 2011 The Great Lawn Brandeis University |
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Over 100 students enjoyed an outdoor event co-sponsored by Brandeis Zionist Alliance, Hasbara Fellowships, the International Club, Namaskar (The Association for Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs), and the Brandeis Sephardic Initiative.
Students partook of hookah, snacks, and dance performances by Brandeis' Israeli dance ensemble, B'Yachad. Vice President of BZA, Avi Fuld '14, said, “I think [cultural events] are crucial when trying to reach out and educate the college campus. Often times, students are tired of the political arguments that polarize a campus. We have found, students are a lot more receptive to Israel-related education when we use a cultural lens. No matter what one's political affiliations are, everyone can relate to Israel's rich, thriving culture.” 
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FINDING OUR VOICES: STANDING UP FOR ISRAEL IN WESTERN MASS. |
August 24, 2011 The David Project Headquarters Boston, Massachusetts |
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Finding Our Voices: Standing Up For Israel in Western Massachusetts is the story of students at Smith College and Hampshire College standing up for what they believe in.
It represents both the challenges and opportunities the pro-Israel community faces on campus, as well as the power students hold to make a difference. |
BRANDEIS STUDENTS
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June 5, 2011 5th Avenue New York City |
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Over two dozen Brandeis students marched down 5th Avenue in New York City along with thousands of other celebrants.
These students took part in the largest annual parade, which started in 1964, celebrating the founding of the Jewish state in 1948. Notable participants included Mayor Michael Bloomberg, U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-NY), and U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Charles Schumer (D-NY). 
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