Inspiration and Advocacy at AIPAC Policy Conference

As 16,000 pro-Israel activists prepared to convene in Washington, DC for the AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) Policy Conference, 30 Beth Tfiloh students traveled by bus to join them. From March 1-3, AIPAC hosted its annual conference in the immense Walter E. Washington Convention Center—and Beth Tfiloh’s largest high school delegation made its annual appearance as well.

Sophomores, juniors, and seniors who care about Israel and desire to learn to advocate for it attend the conference to seize the many opportunities that it presents. For these students, experiences such as breakout sessions with experts in Israeli politics, culture, and economy and panel discussions on topics ranging from women’s rights in the Middle East to the global implications of a nuclear Iran offer insight into the complicated issues facing Israel. On the last day of the conference, Beth Tfiloh High Dahan Community School delegates lobbied members of Congress on Capitol Hill regarding the vital nature of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“As a school that considers itself extremely Zionistic, it’s imperative that BT send a delegation to AIPAC each year,” veteran Beth Tfiloh AIPAC activist Jenn M. ’15 said. “A strong Israel is only possible with the existence of a strong United States and an equally powerful Israel-US bond.”

Throughout the conference, captivating main speakers presented AIPAC’s diverse focuses. Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of a founding leader of Hamas who became an Israeli Shin Bet agent, told thrilling stories of how he deceived the terrorist group and aided the Israeli government. Despite his upbringing in the nucleus of an extremist organization, Yousef, originally a double agent, was able to recognize that his morals aligned with those of the Israeli government. U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) spoke bi-partisan support for the Israeli-American relationship as well as the importance of creating a nuclear deal with Iran that prevents it from attaining capability of developing nuclear weapons.

However, keynote speaker Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech, delivered the day before his speech before Congress, truly inspired the Beth Tfiloh delegates. His focus on containing Iran reinforced that topic’s dominance in this year’s Policy Conference both in the breakout sessions and on Capitol Hill.

“It was incredible to unite with 16,000 people of various backgrounds and religions in support of Israel,” Lea G. ’16 said. “It was also amazing to hear [Netanyahu] address us directly and speak in Congress the next day.”

On Tuesday, March 3, the Beth Tfiloh delegates lobbied several congressmen in small groups, together with delegates from the Beth Tfiloh Congregation. Before their lobbying appointments however, they were able to watch Netanyahu’s speech in Congress from the offices of several Congressmen. Although AIPAC’s lobbying agenda at previous years’ Policy Conferences perennially contained the topics of containing nuclear Iran, the peace process with the Palestinians, and American foreign aid, this year’s agenda consisted solely of Iran and a deal regarding its nuclear program. Students, drawing from their previous knowledge of the issue and new information gleaned from Policy Conference breakout sessions, lobbied Congressmen C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger (D-MD), Dr. Andy Harris (R-MD), John Sarbanes D-MD) and Elijah Cummings (D-MD) on this topic, stressing the importance of Congress’s direct involvement in the negotiations.

“I thoroughly enjoyed lobbying to our representatives. It feels great to know that there are government officials who strongly support Israel,” Ryan S. ’17 said.

When Beth Tfiloh students attend AIPAC events like Policy Conference, they not only learn about Israel and its central issues but they also glean advocacy techniques that they can use to defend Israel from its detractors on college campuses. By attending these events, students acquire knowledge and skills that can be applied throughout their educations and throughout their lives as Jewish adults.

“With regard to AIPAC and college, I've learned a lot that should prepare me for next year,” Jenn M. ’15 said. “I hope to get involved with a Hillel, pro-Israel groups, and political action groups on campus. AIPAC taught me how to lobby, and to lobby well. Those are invaluable skills that will help me on campus with my fellow students and maybe someday on the Hill as a lobbyist or real-deal political activist.”