As we read in the Book of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) earlier this month, there is a time for everything, including a time to love and a time to hate. I recently discovered that pro-Israel Jewish students (unfortunately, Jewish does not automatically translate into pro-Israel) at Rutgers University in New Jersey have decided that it’s not only time to love Israel – but to let everyone know why.
To do this, they’ve launched ‘Israel Inspires’ – a year-long public relations project with the express purpose of educating Jews and non-Jews alike as to what Israel has to offer culturally, scientifically, academically, spiritually and environmentally.
In an attempt to offset the avalanche of negative propaganda and misinformation coming from the well-funded Muslim and leftist extremists on campus, the students intend to showcase Israel’s achievements and all the positive things the Jewish state stands for and upholds.
A four-day celebration of Israel, organized by Rutgers Hillel with the support of Bob Guzzardi Enterprises Philadelphia, was held over the weekend of Oct.9-12. Events included an evening rally, campus block party and weekend Sukkot festivities for more than 500 students. The festivities were timed to coincide with a controversial pro-Palestinian conference originally scheduled to take place at Rutgers but subsequently relocated to a local hotel after its permit was rescinded.
The evening rally drew better than 7,000 participants who came from all over the tri-state area to show solidarity with Israel. Among the prominent speakers were New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey and U.S. senators Frank Lautenberg and Jon Corzine.
Although on an intellectual level I knew there was a huge Muslim presence on campuses across North America, I wasn’t prepared emotionally for the malevolence that Jewish students must confront on a daily basis.
Shortly after arriving at Rutgers, I checked out the ‘Israel Inspires’ block party that was being held in front of the student center. While passerby like myself were treated to Israeli salads, snacks, and a band singing stirring songs of peace, a group of Palestinian students on the other side of the street tried to drown out any dialogue or conversation with high-pitched Middle-Eastern ‘music’ that was so head-splittingly loud, I was puzzled as to why the campus police who were standing by did not shut them down for disturbing the peace.
I found myself consoled by the very real possibility that these brats who were hopping around like overfed rabbits with their anti-Israel placards would suffer permanent hearing loss.
The main event of the ‘Israel Inspires’ campaign was launched with the converging of hundreds of students – many from campuses across the United States and Canada – at the New Brunswick Hyatt Regency Hotel to celebrate the Sukkot holiday. A giant sukkah was set up on the third-floor level roof (using the space normally occupied by tennis courts).
Most of the students were housed on the third floor, making access to the Sukkah easy for Orthodox participants. In addition, hotel staffers were on hand to open doors for those students who for religious reasons could not use electric keys.
Although the students represented a broad spectrum of Jewish life, the food was glatt kosher, provided by Elite Caterers of Edison N.J. Synagogue services for all denominations were provided in order to accommodate all the participants’ religious preferences.
Throughout the weekend, students attended workshops and lectures at which they could network and share ideas on how to effectively promote Israel’s image off and on campus. Eleana Benador of Benador Associates arranged for several experts on Middle East issues to address the students and provide guidance in responding to negative comments on Israel.
Among those who spoke were Jerusalem Post publisher and CEO Tom Rose, American Jewish Committee president David Harris, Hudson Institute dean Herb London, former Iranian Ambassador to the U.S. (under the Shah) Feredoun Hoveyda,. Guardian Angels founder and radio personality Curtis Sliwa, human rights activist Maria Sliwa, Hadassah president June Walker, and former CNN Middle East correspondent Linda Scherzer.
The Jerusalem Post’s Rose began his talk with a wry thank you to Yasir Arafat for sending the number of hits on the Jerusalem Post website soaring. Rose mentioned that the Jerusalem Post was more than 70 years old, and I asked him whether the newspaper was called the Palestinian Post prior to 1948. He replied that it was in fact known as the ‘Palestine Post’ – the point being that Jews living in pre-state Israel were referred to as ‘Palestinians,’ a fact noted on their Palestinian passports.
It came as no surprise to me that Arabs would misappropriate our identity – just as they are trying to do with our land.
Herb London gave students the critical message that they as individuals can make – and indeed are making – a difference. He remarked that it was inspirational for him to see so many accomplished young people going all out for Israel.
Regarding the prospects for peace in the Middle East, the former Iranian ambassador quoted Shakespeare in saying that all the world’s a stage and the aging lead actors – referring to players like Saddam Hussein and Yasir Arafat – needed to stop hogging the stage and let younger players get in on the act. Only then could meaningful dialogue on peace be possible.
David Harris reminded his listeners that tiny Israel was able to absorb hundreds of thousands of Jewish refugees who had been forced out of the Middle Eastern countries their families had lived in for centuries – his wife’s family included – yet the dozens of Arab countries surrounding Israel did not even attempt to welcome in the Palestinian refugees.
The speakers were inspiring, and the Hyatt’s attention to detail in accommodating the religious needs of the students was impressive. But the most heartening aspect of the conference by far was the achdut – the unity – of the students, who showed that first and foremost they are Jews who love Israel.
Many were from secular backgrounds, others were right-wing religious. Many were multi-generational American, others were recent immigrants from Russia or its former satellites, and still others were refuges from Iran, Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries. Based on their skin color and facial features, some appeared to be the products of mixed marriages or conversions. But they were of one voice and one mind when it came to their love and support of Israel.
Their unity, their sense of being part of a whole despite their religious and cultural differences, was truly inspirational.
Hundreds of young Jewish adults coming together, working for a common cause.
Now if only the Knesset could figure that one out.
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