A delegation of 19 Fellows participating in the Write On for Israel program are midway through a visit to Israel that focuses on preparing them to advocate for Israel when they get to college and beyond.
This week, they met with a wide array of people including Yom Kippur War hero Avigdor Kahalani, actress and philanthropist Gila Amagor, and the winner of the Israeli reality TV program, “The Ambassador,” Eytan Schwartz.
Following their session with Schwartz, who urged the group to use emotional appeals to make the case for Israel, Fellows were asked to share some of the best advocacy lessons they have learned during the time they've been in Israel. Among their responses:
“Often, it seems that the world perceives Israeli leaders as unsympathetic toward the Palestinians. However, after meeting Gila Almagor, who is essentially the Oprah of Israel, and seeing her work on behalf of terminally ill children, I can safely say this is not true. I could disprove this notion by describing Almagor's work. A sick child is a sick child, she said, and she does not discriminate between Arab children and Jewish children. Any human being can relate to this, because pathos always has more appeal than facts and figures.”
Emily Goodman, Highland Park High School
“The most practical piece of advocacy advice I have received came from a group of Israeli teens I met this week. We were discussing our goals as Israel advocates and the Israelis suggested we stress the emotional side of our case. They asked us to describe what happens to them personally when a Katyusha rocket strikes. They described how they hear the siren, how everyone panics, how people run in search of shelter, how many people break down in tears. They asked us to tell this story without mentioning Israel; maybe people will listen despite prejudices against Israel, and then we can tell them that this story is about teens in Israel. Maybe this approach can lead to understanding.”
Avi Gluck, Ida Crown Jewish Academy
“Emotion makes a speech good and helps keep the audience's attention. The facts provide useful support, but unless the focus is on an emotional story, the facts are for naught.”
Amitai Loew, Ida Crown Jewish Academy
“Palestinian advocates always use emotionally charged accounts to make their point. We may feel logic is on our side, but logic does not always convince people. Traveling to the Golan has helped me shape my future arguments. This is home for the people I met here. I now can share their stories and emotions when I make the case. If we can make people feel the emotions that we feel about Israel , the facts will be much easier to convey.” Max Davis, Whitney Young High School
“I believe that advocating for Israel should not have to include fanatically supporting Israel or putting down the other side. Advocacy is about stressing coexistence between both sides. The speeches by two Israeli mayors, one Jewish and one Arab, that we heard at the Israel Youth Award program at the British Ambassador's residence both stressed the importance of coexistence. I can certainly apply this message to my advocacy for Israel.”
Sara Blumenthal, Evanston Township High School
“I learned a lot at the Palmach Museum and Ayalon Institute that will help me advocate for Israel. Sharing what I learned in these places about the devotion of the people to the State of Israel can be useful because it shows how essential the country is for the Jewish people. I will remember the feelings I felt in these places and I hope to be able to convey them to others.”
Rachel Hirsch, Evanston Township High School
Write On for Israel, sponsored by the Community Foundation for Jewish Education of Metropolitan Chicago and JUF News, with funding from The AVI CHAI Foundation, is an Israel education and advocacy program for Chicago-area high school juniors and seniors. Each year, Fellows travel to Israel to meet with journalists, political, diplomatic and military leaders, and young Israelis to explore key issues facing the country. Write On alumni have assumed leadership positions in the pro-Israel community on campuses throughout Illinois and across the United States.
