October 31, 2003/Cheshvan 5 5764, Vol. 56, No. 6
Supporting IsraelNew group promotes Zionism
BETH OLSON
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 Arizona Students for Israel, a new pro-Israel education group at Arizona State University, recently held its kick-off event at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus. Pictured are Farrah Kaye, center, and co-founders Jarred Elias, left, and Avi Beliak, right. Photo courtesy of Farrah Kaye |
The group, Arizona Students for Israel (ASFI), was started by ASU students Avi Beliak and Jarred Elias, who have both spent time in Israel, participated in leadership training and attended an American Israel Public Affairs Committee policy conference in Washington, D.C.
The goal, according to Beliak, is to get not only ASU students involved, but also community college and high school students.
"We're trying to get the Jewish high school seniors involved because we realize they'll be going off to universities next year where they're likely to face anti-Semitic or anti-Israel sentiment on their campuses, and we just want to prepare them for that," says Beliak.
The group hopes to combine education with social events to draw in young people.
"We tried to make this a group that brings young people from all across the Valley that have an interest in Israel and give them an outlet so they can come, and we can do different social events that focus on Israel's culture, and hopefully become more educated so they can be advocates for Israel," says Beliak.
The group has met half a dozen times at an Israeli restaurant near campus, drawing 20-25 students at each meeting.
A kick-off event at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus drew 35 people, and Beliak says the group currently has 125 people on its mailing list.
Elias believes it's important for Jewish students to become involved in the new group.
"Israel is the only national homeland committed to the continuity of Judaism as both a nationality and a religion. I believe students need to associate Israel with being Jewish and understand the importance of Israel to the Jewish people," he says. Visit www.israeloncampus.org/ASU for information, or e-mail az4israel@yahoo.com.
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Details
- Who: Arizona Students For Israel
- What: A showing of the Israeli film "Relentless"
- When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13
- Where: Arizona State University, Murdock Hall, room 201
- Cost: Free with suggested donation to the Koby Mandell Foundation
- Contact: az4israel@yahoo.com