ZOA AROUND THE COUNTRY Gabriel A.—on their graduation. The ZOA’s fellowship program for high-school seniors, which was launched in the fall of 2016 at the Scheck Hillel Community School and Hebrew Academy, is a pilot program to empower young leaders in their roles as Zionist advocates and activists. The program was praised by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), who wrote that it would “undoubtedly equip high school students with the tools they need to become leaders and activists in their communities.” The graduating fellows each were awarded a commemorative stamp issued by the State of Israel in honor of ZOA’s 120th anniversary. The four symbols on the limited-quantity stamp represent the four areas in which ZOA directs its activities: Congress, the justice system, higher education, and media. YOM HAZIKARON, YOM HA’ATZMAUT, YOM YERUSHALAYIM ZOA Florida was the main sponsor of the Young Israel of Hollywood’s Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration. Our chapter also participated in Miami Beach’s Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut events at Hebrew Academy, organized by the Falic family. The program powerfully commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Entebbe raid, featuring accounts by two of the youngest survivors of the rescue, Shay Gross and Benny Davidson. The event also featured Rabbi Shmuley Boteach; Israel’s consul general to Florida and Puerto 36 Rico, Lior Hiat; and a special presentation for high-school students by activist Joe Zevuloni and rapper Ari Lesser. Mr. Zevuloni encouraged students to stand up against the hate and lies that are spread about Israel and to always be proud Zionists. Hebrew Academy’s ZOA High School Fellows introduced the student program and shared their experiences. The 50th anniversary of Jerusalem’s reunification was marked by an event at Chabad of Aventura organized by congregant Daniel Kahane. Sharona Whisler joined a series of speakers and discussed the spiritual significance of Jerusalem to the Jewish people, including historical context and Jordan’s complete disregard for the city while it was under Jordan’s control. “Zionism is an essential part of the Jewish nation reclaiming Jerusalem. In the face of seemingly insurmountable odds against us, the Jewish people came together to declare that the solution for us is freedom and prosperity in our holy land,” Whisler said. “We will not be denied our right to practice G-d’s Torah, and we will not walk like sheep to slaughter. That is Zionism. The miracles we witness in our time are not unlike the miracles we read in the Torah. They have come to pass because of our faith and our action. Our future prosperity in the land of Israel is written. But we must never take it for granted.” COLLABORATION WITH CHRISTIAN FRIENDS ZOA Florida met with the Hispanic Israel Leadership Coalition for a Heal Our Campus breakfast. Youth pastors and Christian leaders were invited to a breakfast panel of campus Israel advocacy experts from ZOA, Turning Point USA, and StandWithUs. Each panelist described a specific challenge facing pro-Israel students on campus. Southeast Campus Coordinator Annie Cohen represented ZOA on this panel. LOBBYING ON CAPITOL HILL Florida members once again participated in ZOA’s one-day pro-Israel lobbying mission to Capitol Hill, meeting with the offices of Rep. The fellowship for highschool seniors was launched in fall 2016 at Scheck Hillel Community School and Hebrew Academy to empower young leaders in their roles as Zionist advocates and activists. Attendees at the Young Israel of Hollywood Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut event
20605FM
To see the actual publication please follow the link above