We are NO longer accepting applications.
Calling all 10th - 12th Graders!**
Explore the trends on college campus and how Israel fits into broader conversations. Participate in activities, learn the importance of building allies and coalitions to impact change, and gain dialogue skills while practicing active listening.
Are you a future leader?
Are you interested in learning from peers and mentors with differing ideas, opinions, and narratives?
Are you looking for a unique addition to your college application?
The Israel Engagement Fellowship is just what you are looking for!
During this free eight-part seminar, you will:
- Gain leadership skills while learning the importance of forming alliances to combat antisemitism and anti-Zionism
- Examine the Israeli-Palestinian issue
- Explore trends, how Israel fits into broader conversations in person and on social media, and how to respond to misinformation
- Graduate with the knowledge, experience, and confidence to engage in conversation about Israel in a meaningful way
- Develop a uniquely personal Israel story to impact change in close and broader circles
Location, Dates, & Times for Spring, 2023 Cohort:
1. In-person at B'nai Israel Congregation, Rockville, MD
Wednesdays, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
March 22, 29, April 19, and May 3, 10, 24
2. In-person at Temple Emanuel, Kensington, MD
Wednesday, May 17, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
3. Guest Speaker Session Sunday, May 21, time TBD
4. Israel Engagement Fellowship Graduation, Embassy of Israel, NW, Washington, DC, Wednesday, May 31, time TBD
Participation is open to any 10th - 12th grader regardless of synagogue membership/affiliation. The Spring, 2023 cohort is done in partnership with B'nai Israel Congregation and Temple Emanuel.
QUESTIONS:
Contact Adam Odesser, Director, Dr. Stuart Lessans Israel Action Center at aodesser@jcouncil.org.
The Israel Engagement Fellowship was created in partnership with The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.
The program is free for participants and is funded by a generous contribution from The Margo and Yoram Cohen Family, the Jewish Community Relations Council, and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.
About the Israel Engagement Fellowship
The goal of the Israel Engagement Fellowship is to ensure that Greater Washington area high school students are connecting with Israel in an authentic way, receiving Israel education, and learning how to engage with and advocate for Israel in a way that makes sense for them as they move on to college campuses. Participants in the fellowship benefit from a space to ask tough questions, role play complex scenarios they may face on campus, and learn relational advocacy concepts and resources from dynamic speakers.
Participants meet for eight sessions participating in hands on activities learning how to design and execute a campaign, the importance of building allies and coalitions to impact change, and will gain dialogue skills while practicing active listening. The final session is a celebration honoring the students' achievement which takes place at the Embassy of Israel. At the conclusion of the course will graduate with the knowledge, experience, and confidence to engage with and advocate for Israel in a meaningful way on college campus and beyond.
As of 2021, more than 800 college bound students have graduated from the IEF program. Their diverse backgrounds represent every stream of Judaism - Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist - and more than 44 different area high schools. Each of the fellows has walked away from the course with a deeper appreciation for the unique relationship that American Jews have with a place as special and significant to our people as Israel.