ZOA AROUND THE COUNTRY 39 More than 60 members from our region attended ZOA’s Annual Washington Advocacy Mission last June, including 14 first-timers. More than 50 made the trip on the two buses we chartered. Based on feedback we received, all had positive experiences. Greater Philadelphia ZOA leaders have had a number of letters and articles published recently and quite a few speaking engagements. Publications and online media in which we have appeared include: The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, Jewish Exponent, Algemeiner, Jerusalem Post, American Thinker, Philadelphia Jewish Voice, Times of Israel, and FrontPage Mag. We have also done radio interviews on “The Dom Giordano Show,” “Cindy’s Corner,” and “HebrewNation.” We have spoken before the Jewish War Veterans, Hadassah, Parents of North American Israelis, and Barrack Hebrew Academy, and have addressed a number of synagogues and Christian groups. In addition, we have tabled at various community events. In a first for Greater Philadelphia ZOA, we had a conference call for our members. National ZOA Deputy Executive Director Howard Katzoff, who spearheaded ZOA’s Purim Mission to Israel, was our guest speaker. He reviewed the trip and answered questions. Two local members who also were on the trip, Ruth and Mort Gleit, discussed the mission from their perspective. ZOA PITTSBURGH ZOA PITTSBURGH’S ISRAEL SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ZOA Pittsburgh is proud to continue its Israel Scholarship Program, a tradition that began in 1962. Recognizing Israel’s centrality to Jewish life, ZOA works tirelessly to reach out to the youth of Pittsburgh in an effort to engage the next generation of Israel supporters. Each year, three $1,000 scholarships are awarded to students participating in structured trips to Israel. Julie Paris, chairwoman of the scholarship committee, said: “Students are judged on three criteria: their involvement in Jewish organizations, volunteerism in the community, and an essay about Israel. This year we had so many qualified applicants, we only wish we could give a scholarship to each one.” ZOA Pittsburgh is deeply grateful to the following families, whose vision has allowed for the establishment of endowments that fund ZOA’s Israel Scholarship Program: Avraham and Patti Anouchi; Bernard and the late Esther Klionsky, z”l; Harold and Marla Scheinman; Thelma Esman, z”l; and the family of the late Natalie and Ivan Novick, z”l, who served as ZOA National President. This year’s awardees are listed below, with quotes from their essays: JASON LEVY Jason is a junior at Upper St. Clair High School. He visited Israel with the Emma Kaufman Camp CIT program. Jason wrote: “A negative experience was very important to my understanding of how important Zionism is to the Jewish people. Every young Jew needs to learn how important a safe homeland is for Jews, and I can’t wait to experience that homeland myself.” MALKA RINGLER Malka is a junior at Yeshiva High School. She attended Camp Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow. Malka wrote: “I love Israel because, although I have as yet not had the distinct privilege to experience it, I know it is my home. I love Israel because it is mine. I want to protect that bond, that inherent love and connection that just is.” MOSHE LUZER Moshe is a senior at Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh. He traveled to Israel with a NCSY Camp. Moshe said in his essay: “My only idea of what Israel life is like is from my friends, who always come back with the biggest smiles, happiest attitudes, and amazing stories. I can only hope that my experiences are similar to others’ and that I internalize my trip as a catalyst I can use for the rest of my life.” TEACHING TOLERANCE Dedicated to helping eradicate religious, ethnic, and racial intolerance, ZOA Pittsburgh instituted a Tolerance Education Program in order
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