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Israel Intern Spotlight
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Meet Danielle Northern Illinois University “I decided to become an Israel Intern first and foremost because of my passion for Israel. Growing up as an active member of a Jewish youth organization, I jumped at the first opportunity to be involved with the Jewish community in college. Passing along my love for Israel through a diversity of educational, fun and entertaining programs on campus- brings me much happiness. As an Israel Intern I have learned both about the political and cultural aspects of Israel, on campus and in Israel itself! And by bringing these programs to campus our Hillel has been encouraged to reach out to other organizations in order to create strong and lasting bonds with them.” |
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Meet Jessica University of Illinois Champaign Urbana “I am a Global Studies major and my area of focus is the Middle East, particularly Israel. I became an Israel Intern because of my strong passion and love for Israel. I want other students on campus to understand the importance that Israel has in the world. This internship has helped me to build relationships with other student organizations and my advocacy skills have improved significantly- I feel extremely confident talking to many different people about my love for Israel. This internship has also helped me with my professional goals of continuing to advocate for Israel for the rest of my life. Through the Israel Internship, we are able to enrich students’ understanding of Israeli culture as well as the challenges that Israel faces. This internship has had such a positive impact on my college experience and has been an extremely amazing opportunity.” |
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Meet Ari Roosevelt University “I decided to become an Israel Intern because I would be enabled to bring the message of the State of Israel, directly to my fellow classmates. Through each program we are reaching out to an ever growing number of students, and in this way I am reminded of the Rabbi’s adage that when one life is saved, so too is an entire world. Similarly, when one life is educated from a program or event, then the opportunity to educate the rest of the world is one step closer. Personally I have always been a supporter of Israel, but never knew all of the facts. Because of my experience in the internship, I have obtained the necessary information to make the case for Israel. Natan Sharanky declared that college campuses have become the "new battlefields” for those who decide to make the case for Israel. Roosevelt prides itself on its commitment to social justice, and because each campus is different we are able to talk about Israel in this context. Too often Israel is deemed as the antithesis of this goal, when in fact Israel is the only state in the Middle East honestly dedicated to the values of human rights. Because of Israel Internship we are changing the conversation of social justice drastically.” |
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Meet Eliyahu DePaul University “After going on Birthright my sophomore year of college, I returned with a deep love for Israel. I could not wait to share my new passion and knowledge with everyone back at home. Once I returned to school I became very aware of a strong anti-Israel sentiment on campus. Israel, the place that I had grown to love and call home, the place where my family currently is living- was linked to words such as genocide and apartheid. I was deeply hurt. When I found out about the Israel Internship I jumped for the opportunity to be given the resources I needed to make a difference. This internship has not only served as vehicle to advocate for Israel, but it has enabled me do so in such a way as to allow for personal expression. The internship is educating many students about Israel, both Jewish and non-Jewish. But more importantly, it has been the starting point for dialogue, which is more than I could have asked for. Now students are leaving this school knowing that there is another side. A Pro-Israel side, that lets you strive for Jewish freedom and peace for all.” |
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Meet Julie University of Illinois Champaign Urbana “I wanted to become an Israel Intern because I am passionate about Israel and Israeli culture. I enjoy teaching people about Israel, and in the process I am learning from my Israel advocacy experience. The internship has really impacted my life on campus and I feel much more involved with my school, with my classmates, and with my fellow Religious Student Organization groups on campus.” |
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Meet Tahli University of Illinois Champaign Urbana “I wanted to become an Israel Intern because of the love and passion that I have for Israel. I have a very strong connection to Israel and want to share this connection with others. Both of my parents are Israeli, I have Israeli citizenship, and because of this I strongly identify as an Israeli. I want to show students on campus the true Israel- the aspects that are often not portrayed in the media. As a result of being an Israel Intern, I have been able to positively affect the way my campus views Israel. In addition, I have been able to share my Israeli heritage with all of my non-Jewish and non-Israeli friends. The Israel internship has given me an outlet to express a huge part of who I am.” |
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Meet Nick University of Illinois at Chicago “At the end of my sophomore year in college, I saw the extent of anti-Israel sentiment on campus and realized that something had to be done. Thanks to the Israel Internship I have been able to create relationships on campus with student groups, both Jewish and non-Jewish, to create a better environment for pro-Israel students, faculty, staff and the overall campus as a whole.” |
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Meet Sabrina Northwestern University “My love for Israel is at the core of my identity. But I realize that when I establish a connection with a place or person, it is my responsibility to reinforce this strong connection with the necessary practicalities to ensure the longevity of that bond. The application of this idea begins locally. The Israel Internship is an opportunity for me to strengthen my own personal bond to Israel, but more importantly- that of others on campus. My goal is to be a positive force on campus and engage in meaningful conversations with other students about the importance of an Israeli State. In this way I hope to encourage people to take an active interest in Israel.” |
