LA JOLLA, California — On January 24, 2023, San Diegans attended a “Zionism on Campus” event in La Jolla, hosted by Jewish National Fund-USA San Diego Vice President Liat Cohen-Reeis, where they heard from local students and a university professor who recently attended one of Jewish National Fund-USA’s various educational programs in Israel.
“There is a lot of humanity happening in Israel,” said Lingyan Shi, a bioengineering professor at the University of California San Diego who attended Jewish National Fund-USA’s Faculty Fellowship program, which invites full-time university and college faculty members to participate in a subsidized tour of Israel, linking scholars from diverse disciplines with their Israeli counterparts at major institutions. “It’s [Israel] so different than what we see in the media. Since my return, I have been sharing my stories with colleagues, students, and my community…I am also preparing a presentation for my students so they can learn more about Israel.”
Additional panelists included:
- Zoe Gottlieb, an alumna of Alexander Muss High School in Israel, Jewish National Fund-USA’s college-prep study abroad experience in Israel, who now attends San Diego State University
- Ofek Suchard, a San Diego State University student and alum of Jewish National Fund-USA’s College Summit, which brings together over 500 college students to learn about the positive work being done in Israel and teaches them the necessary skills to bring that message to life on campus
- Assaf Cohen-Arazi, a Jewish National Fund-USA campus fellow and student at the University of California San Diego who attended the organization’s winter 2022 Alternative Break program, which gives Jewish college students the opportunity to volunteer across Israel and forge bonds with Israelis of all backgrounds
“Among other programs, I’m thrilled that we highlighted Alexander Muss High School in Israel,” said Cohen-Reeis, “As a Muss alumna myself with a son who will be attending in the spring, I love that we could showcase this incredible program that has inspired and educated Jewish leaders. Who knows, maybe my son will be Jewish National Fund-USA’s President someday!”
As the largest provider of Zionist education and advocacy programming in the United States, Jewish National Fund-USA sends hundreds of students to Israel each year and engages many more in schools and on campuses across the country.
Jewish National Fund-USA San Diego President, Jacqui Schneider, added, “By watering the seeds of curiosity and open-mindedness that are so innate in young people and allowing them to explore the Jewish homeland firsthand with all their senses and learn about the modern, democratic, multiethnic, complex, and beautiful country that it is, we are ensuring that when we’re long gone, there will be generations of Israel-supporting Americans who will carry on the legacy of our love and support of Israel.”
To learn more about Jewish National Fund-USA, visit jnf.org or contact Monica Suissa, Director, San Diego, at msuissa@jnf.org or 858.824.9178 x858.
To learn more about getting involved on college campuses, contact Edden Dembsky, Associate Director, Campus Affairs, at edembsky@jnf.org or 3239641400 x968.
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Preceding provided by Jewish National Fund-USA