SAN DIEGO (Press Release)–San Diego lovers of Israel will have an opportunity to hear an Arab Israeli explain how he went from hating Israel to calling himself a Zionist. StandWithUs (SWU) educator Yahya Mahamid, 19, will share his journey at the SWU San Diego Festival of Lights “I Love Israel” gala on December 2 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel.
He will be joined by keynote speaker and foreign policy expert Dore Gold, former Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations and President of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, who will discuss the Israel-U.S. relations and the Iran deal.
All the way from Israel is KIPPALIVE, who raised the roof as finalists in Israel’s “X Factor.” They are so excited to perform, that they invite all to join them in this video.
Dinner co-chairs are Natalie Josephson and Jaime Feder. Gala co-sponsors are Jenny and Julian Josephson and Shirley and Harold Pidgeon. Once again, the emcee is Ron Krudo, StandWithUs National Executive Director of Campus Affairs
VIP reception is from 6:30-7:15pm and the general reception is from 6:30-7:30pm. Guests can “squeeze their challenge” at SWU’s “Lemonade Stand” activation. Utilized on campuses, the activation connects Israel’s story of overcoming adversity with the personal narratives of students. Met by the stand and offered free, refreshing lemonade, students are invited to write out their challenges and “squeeze them out” at the step-and-repeat.
Dinner and program begins at 7:45pm. with Pat’s sumptuous kosher catering.
Joining the festivities at the sixth annual “I Love Israel” gala are the local 2017-18 SWU SD High School Interns and college Emerson Fellows.
Since 2001, the Emerson Fellowship has selected and trained student leaders to educate their peers about Israel and combat anti-Israel rhetoric. Ariana Arakelian is from SDSU and Orr Toledano attends UCSD.
Created in 2012, one goal of the SWU High School Internship is to prepare students for the anti-Israel related actions they may face as college students. Trevor Lyons attends San Diego Jewish Academy and Karen Ptashek is at Canyon Crest Academy.
The students attended their respective August training conferences in Los Angeles and learned advanced topics in Israel education and were provided with tools, materials and skills they can use throughout the school year.
San Diego SWU Executive director Sara Miller married her husband Mark in her birthplace Hawaii last year. She joined SWU SD in 2014 and has since grown the chapter with additional programs for campus and the community, and new sponsorship levels. The Board, under the leadership of Mitch Danzig, Esq., from Mintz Levin has expanded to seventeen.
Miller holds an M.A. in Islamic Studies from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem at the Rothberg Institute. Her dorm mate suggested she apply for the SWU SD position. Miller describes the San Diego community as her home, adding “I am excited to welcome all to the gala as we celebrate the excellent work we’ve accomplished and look towards the future.”
Born in the same city that the Temple Mount killers were from, Umm el-Fahm, and indoctrinated from childhood to hate Israel, Mahamid realized the truth when he began having regular interactions with Jews in his job at a Tel Aviv hotel. He realized he had been intentionally misled and made a turn around. StandWithUs Israel office contacted him and he is now doing what he can to stand up against hate and misinformation about Israel.
Arab citizens of Israel are not required to serve in the Israel Defense Forces, yet Mahamid enlisted as a volunteer. He is on a North American speaking tour before beginning his service.
StandWithUs (SWU) is a sixteen year-old, international Israel education organization with chapters throughout the U.S including San Diego, in Israel, Canada and the U.K. SWU believes that education is the road to peace.
The Marriott Marquis hotel is at 333 West Harbor Boulevard in San Diego. Cocktail attire.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.standwithus.com/iheartisrael17 and saram@standwithus.com or call the office – 858-598-8220.
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Preceding provided by StandWithUs