Hundreds of Alephs and B’nai B’rith Girls on both the national and local levels have engaged in Israel advocacy through numerous organizations, including theAmerican Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). 

What is AIPAC? AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, is a bipartisan organization that works to strengthen, protect, and promote the U.S.-Israel relationship in ways that enhance the security of theUnited States and Israel. AIPAC doesn’t rate, endorse, or contribute to political candidates.

Upon being given the opportunity to serve as a chair ofBBYO’s Explore Israel Committee, I made it a priority to increase our attendance at AIPAC’s student training opportunities as well as AIPAC’s AnnualPolicy Conference. I feel that by bringing members of our BBYO community to educational experiences through AIPAC, we can strengthen our skills and practical knowledge of the U.S.-Israel relationship, which can benefit us in college and beyond. I am happy to report that my expectations were exceeded .BBYO once again showed that we are a force to be reckoned with in the Jewish Community and that our teens are not just the leaders of tomorrow, we are also the leaders of today. 

This past November, BBYO doubled our attendance at the American Israel PublicAffairs Committee’s (AIPAC) annual Schusterman Advocacy Institute High SchoolSummit. We brought more than 50 Alephs and B’nai B’rith Girls to our nation’s Capitol to learn about the importance of a robust US-Israel Relationship. 

What is AIPAC High School Summit? AIPAC’s Schusterman Advocacy Institute’s High School summit brings together more than 400 high school student leaders from across the country to Washington, D.C., for Israel advocacy and political activism training. The goal of the Summit is to educate students on the U.S.-Israel relationship and to help them become effective pro-Israel political activists on and beyond their school campus.

AIPAC’s High School Summit gave Alephs and BBGs the chance to hear from experts on a range of issues and lobby members of Congress on relevant legislation affecting the US-Israel Relationship.  

In January, several BBYO members had the opportunity to reinforce what they learned at High School Summit at AIPAC’s premier advocacy training conference for college students and select high school students–AIPAC’s Saban Leadership Seminar. At Saban, BBYO members had the opportunity to learn alongside college students from leading Washington policymakers, Middle East experts, and AIPAC Leadership Development professionals. Saban is one of the many possibilities with AIPAC that BBYO has to show just how powerful our Alephs and BBGs are.

In March, BBYO sent its largest delegation to AIPAC’s Annual Policy Conference, which brought together over 18,000 Pro-Israel Americans to learn about the importance of a strong U.S.–Israel relationship, hear keynote speeches from critical American leaders from both political parties and lobby Members of Congress. Notably, attendees at Policy Conference were able to hear moving stories of Israeli heroism and learned about the ground breaking Israeli innovations that are changing our world. In addition to the Alephs and B’nai B’rith Girls who attend AIPAC’s Policy Conference with BBYO, dozens attend AIPAC’s Policy Conference with their synagogues, communities, and families (like me).

Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), former Democratic candidate for president, addresses AIPAC Policy Conference Attendees, his remarks can be viewed here: cs.pn/BookerAIPAC  

When we join the leaders of the Jewish Community and show up to events like AIPAC’s Policy Conference, BBYO sends a strong message to the rest of the Jewish Community that in the face of rising Anti-Semitism and hostility toward Israel, we aren’t afraid to stand up and advocate for what we believe in. Our presence tells the world that we are here today, we’ll be here tomorrow, and that together, we are more powerful. BBYO is and always will be #AIPACProud

Want to learn more about AIPAC? Want to attend High School Summit, Saban, or Policy Conference in the 2020-2021 school year? Want to find more ways to get involved in Pro-Israel advocacy? Message me, and we’ll find ways to get you more involved!