She struggled to understand how to pay for a bus in Jerusalem. "On the light rail and Israel Railways I understood immediately how it works," she recounted. "But on the buses I got confused." The smile didn't fade even when she shared that she received a ticket. One hundred shekels. "Not a lot of money," she said. "But it still surprised me."

Strengthening defense lines in Israel

This is what a first meeting with Berenson looks like. Behind the smile and lightness stands a long personal story that led her from a young American Catholic – through a deep spiritual search – to founding an organization seeking to strengthen Israel's civilian defense lines.

Berenson grew up Catholic in the United States. Her first connection to Judaism was not born from politics or study, but through a youthful relationship. A mutual friend told her one day that the boy she had a crush on was Jewish. When she asked him about it, he became very angry. "He was really offended that they told me," she recalled. "I didn't understand what the problem was at all."

At home, the story passed quietly. "My dad told me it was just a different religion and that's it." But for her, something opened up. For the first time, she was also exposed to old antisemitic statements, ones she had never heard before. "It confused me," she said. "I didn't understand why it even mattered."

"It shook me"

The next significant moment came at university. During one of the courses, she was told for the first time that Jesus was Jewish. "It shocked me," she admits. "I grew up on stories and children's Bible stories, but no one ever told me that." This shock led her to investigate. "They told us to research Jesus, so I researched. The investigation led me to Judaism." It wasn't a sharp transition or dramatic declaration, but a long, intellectual and spiritual process, she said. "The more I learned, the more I understood that what I was looking for was there."

She completed the conversion itself while her mother was still alive in 2023. Only years later, at age 51, after her mother's passing, came a revelation that shook her anew. During family genealogy research, it became clear to her that she comes from an originally Jewish family, without the family members themselves knowing it. "It was a hair-raising moment," she recounted. "Suddenly my entire connection to Judaism took on a completely different color. Not just a choice, but also roots."

The events of October 7 were a turning point for her. "It wasn't just another news event," she said. "It was a moment when I understood you can't stay on the sidelines." Her connection to Israel, she says, is both emotional and historical. Berenson believes Israel has a historical right in Judea and Samaria, and sees Gaza as a complex security arena forced upon the state. But above all, she speaks about the people. "Emergency response teams are Israel's first line of defense," she said. "If we don't strengthen them, we won't be prepared."

Heroes of Israel

From this understanding, Heroes for Israel Project was born, an American nonprofit organization seeking to translate solidarity into action. Most of the organization's activity focuses on fundraising to strengthen emergency response teams in the field. The funds are designated for financing professional training, purchasing cameras and surveillance equipment, protective gear, first aid kits and other essential equipment, as well as upgrading basic security infrastructure in communities near the borders. From Berenson's perspective, emergency response teams are the state's first line of defense, and investment in them is not a luxury but an immediate security need.

Alongside her great love for Israel, Berenson doesn't spare criticism of the political system. "I really don't understand how 120 Knesset members can't listen to each other and cooperate. You see it from the outside." According to her, the internal division also projected weakness to enemies. "I tell Americans all the time, we need to be one people. Because in the end, the first ones attacked are the Jews. Always."

She also had a clear position on what's happening at universities in the United States. "The young people are good people," she emphasized. "They want equality, they accept everyone, they love everyone." The problem, she says, is not with them but with the system above them. "There are professors and foreign elements interfering, who insert hatred and racism under the guise of justice."

Berenson doesn't see herself as a politician. She sees herself as someone who acts, who connects, who strengthens. Perhaps that's why even a small ticket on a Jerusalem bus couldn't bring down her smile. "I'm here because this is my people's home," she said. "And if it's home, you need to protect it."

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At the "Let Me Explain" panel during the Israel Hayom conference in New York, three influencers – comedian and journalist Eitan Levine, sports media personality Emily Austin, and Living Lchaim founder Yaakov Langer – shared how they inadvertently became the spearhead of Israeli and Jewish advocacy on social media. Between threats, contract cancellations, floods of hatred, and antisemitic responses, they insisted on remaining visible, Jewish, and proud – fighting lies not only with facts but also with humor, sports, and deep human conversations.

Levine explained that once you become an openly Jewish figure online, there is no escape. "They called me a 'kike' even before October 7. My sister lives in Israel, I lived there, and I visit often. The day everything exploded, I had no choice but to stand behind Judaism and the connection to Israel. If this is part of me – then I will also be stubborn about it."

Langer, who came from the ultra-Orthodox world, admitted that October 7 was a moment of sobering realization for him. "I always knew there was antisemitism, but something in me said – well, they do not really hate us like that. And then you saw the depth of the hatred, without any logic. From that was born the place to be a proud, open Jew, and to say – if there is a problem, it is their problem."

Austin came from the most American dream there is – sports. "I was negotiating with ESPN, working with NBA teams, I was riding the wave," she said. "And then October 7 happened. Almost at the same moment, Puma parted ways with me, Sports Illustrated dropped me, the negotiations with ESPN stopped, even Miss Universe. I found myself at 22, without work, after being at my peak."

But instead of disappearing, she pressed on the gas. "I said to myself – if I have to lose everything, even my life, to say what is right – I will do it. Sports is a language that unites people; through it, I reach players, coaches, and an audience that would not encounter Zionism in any other way."

She did not hide the personal cost. Exposure of personal details, threats, a flood of hatred – to the point of constant contact with the FBI. "I was sure that those threatening me were sitting in Iran. The answer was, 'They are from Staten Island,'" she said with a half smile.

Levine used stand-up comedy as a weapon. "If you are funnier than the other side – you won the argument, even if you are not 100% right. Comedy is an insane way to convey information. The moment you make someone laugh, they are suddenly open to hearing about Israel too."

He insisted on reminding people that Israel is not just war. "When I think about Israel, I think about the food, about the hot people in Tel Aviv. We must invest not only in videos of horror, but in music, art, and culture – to turn Tel Aviv into a global cultural hub. For every dollar invested in explaining October 7 – the next dollar must go to culture."

Langer, on the other hand, chose the most un-TikTok format – in-depth conversations on YouTube. "We have over 1.6 million subscribers, because people are thirsty to understand. It is easy to hate 'Jews' as a group, but it is much harder to hate a person after you hear an hour of their life story – of a hostage survivor, a soldier, a rabbi, or a mother."

According to him, there are three groups: proud Jews, declared haters, and "a lot in the middle – who do not know. Muslims who grew up on hatred of Jews wrote to me and said, 'Only now do I understand that you are normal human beings.' This happens when you let them get to know us truly."

The three speakers agreed that the real battle is over "the influenceable center" – people who are not sure, or who were dragged along by trends. Austin emphasized, "People know what happened on October 7. They are not ignorant – some of them just are not sad about it. So just flooding more and more facts is not enough. You must also talk about American interests – about how Israel contributes to security, technology, and the economy. Today, the narrative is that Israel is a 'leech' on the US. This is simply not true, and no one is explaining it seriously."

Levine warned against automatic labeling. "The question is not whether Tlaib or others are jihadists – but whether calling them that works. The answer is no. We lose when the whole world is defined as 'antisemitic.' We need a restart. Get out of the comfort zone, sit with those who seem like enemies to us – and discover that at least 90% of them do not hate us like we imagine."

Austin gave a personal example. "There is one person on Twitter who turned 'Jewess' into a derogatory nickname for me. I liked every response of his. In the end, he wrote to me privately, 'Aside from Israel, I agree with you on everything and respect you.' And suddenly – all the tweets were deleted. Sometimes it is not that deep; it is habit, it is herd mentality. You need courage to talk to them."

At the end of the panel, Langer used his son and candy as a metaphor. "Candy is the easiest to love. It is sweet, it is available, it is not nutritious. To hate Israel and Jews – it is like an instant candy, it is 'cool,' it goes with the flow. But it does not hold over time. What we are trying to do is turn the healthy thing – Jewish identity, the connection to Israel, the human story – into something cooler, deeper, and more accurate. Not to focus on the losers shouting in the street, but on building a strong, proud, and attractive community."

As Levine summarized with a smile, "The best thing you can do for advocacy – is simply to follow me on Instagram."

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In a landmark effort to counter rising antisemitism and present Israel's narrative on the global stage, the Combat Antisemitism Movement has launched the largest-ever global influencer summit in New York City. Bringing together more than 300 social media influencers, celebrities, and thought leaders, the event aims to address the surge in antisemitism and combat misinformation about Israel in the digital age.

The "Voices for Truth: Influencers United Against Antisemitism" summit, held Sunday at The Glasshouse in New York City, marked the first day of this groundbreaking initiative. Hosted in partnership with the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the event featured prominent figures, including New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Bravo Host and Producer Andy Cohen, and social media influencer Montana Tucker.

Sacha Roytman, CEO of CAM, emphasized the urgency of the moment: "This is our chance to make a difference. To stand up for Jewish people and our values and the protection of minorities. To stand by is not an option anymore. Bring back activism and community leadership as a way of life."

The summit comes at a critical time when many Jewish influencers have faced increased hate and lost brand deals for defending Jews and supporting Israel in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas onslaught, in which terrorists killed over 1,2000 Israelis, mostly civilians, and took over 250 hostage. The event provided a platform for these voices to unite, share experiences, and strategize on effectively using their platforms to counter antisemitism.

Israeli Consul General in New York Ofir Akunis addressed the complex narrative landscape: "We live in a world in which lies become truth, truth becomes a lie, victims become aggressors and aggressors become victims. But know this: Those who started this war will be defeated. We will not be victims of violence anymore. Enough. Enough."

Adams highlighted the power of digital platforms in shaping public opinion, "You are now on the precipice to decide which direction we go in. You only have to pick up your device to change the course of history. This is your moment to use your platforms to change the course of what we're experiencing across the globe. There's no room for hate in our city or on our globe. We can turn this around."

Cohen emphasized the importance of Jewish pride and visibility, "Be proud of being Jewish and don't shy away from showing it publicly. And sometimes the simplest displays or gestures are the strongest and most effective. Many of you have large social media platforms, and that simply by representing Jewish culture with pride to your followers, you will have more of a far-reaching impact than you may even realize."

Tucker, recipient of the CAM Impactful Activism Award, spoke about the challenges and determination of Jewish advocates, "Jews today have a voice, we are strong, we are powerful, and we are resilient. We are fortunate to have social media to use our platforms to reach people all the around the world. We have experienced brand deals fall through, death threats, but we'll continue to fight every single day, and we will not give up."

The summit also featured Grammy-nominated artist Matisyahu in a thought-provoking fireside chat about modern-day antisemitism, followed by a live musical performance.

Natalie Sanandaji, a survivor of the Nova Music Festival massacre and CAM public affairs officer, shared her powerful story: "For me and many others, Oct. 7 represents the loss of freedom and belonging, the loss of safety. When I saw the news broke out, I was devastated, and I was determined for the world to put a human face behind this tragedy, putting a name and a face to the startling statistics."

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To mark Israel's 75th anniversary, Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, introduces its inaugural list of women who are shaping the future of Zionism. Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, is the largest Jewish women's organization in the United States. With nearly 300,000 members, associates, and supporters, Hadassah brings women together to effect change and advocate on critical issues such as ensuring the security of Israel, combating antisemitism, and promoting women's health.

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The list represents the diversity of Zionism today and the many ways in which women are building bridges and making an impact, a statement read. Hadassah National President Rhoda Smolow noted, "Just as they have since before Israel's founding, women are helping to shape and guide Israel's future, both behind the scenes and in the public square. As the leading women's Zionist organization in the US, Hadassah is proud to shine a spotlight on them."

"These 18 determined women are doing essential work, individually and collectively," Hadassah CEO Naomi Adler stressed. "They are educating Jews and non-Jews about what Zionism is and is not and advocating for Zionism in the US and around the world. Everyone who cares about Israel should know their names."

We present to you the list, as presented by Hadassah. Israel Hayom cannot independently verify the details mentioned in the descriptions and links below.

1. Amy Albertson – Advocate, educator, and online activist. The recipient of the Women's International Zionist Organization's Warrior for Israel Award, Amy Albertson empowers young Jews to be unapologetically Jewish. In 2015, she made aliyah and dedicated herself to working for Jewish nonprofits. Exploring her own identity led to her current work as a consultant for the At The Well Project and an associate at the Tel Aviv Institute. It also led her to create "The Asian Israeli," which catalogs her experiences as a Chinese American Jewish woman. Get to know Amy Albertson in the special "Israel at 75" May/June issue of Hadassah Magazine.  

2. Shiva Beck – Advocate. Shiva Beck was born in Iran to a proud Zionist family who fled to Los Angeles after the Islamic Revolution. Having grown up in a close-knit Persian community knowing that the greatest safeguard to her Jewish identity was Israel, she retired after nearly 20 years practicing law to focus on advocating for Zionism in the US and around the world. Beck is a board member of the Jewish Federation in Dallas and The Jewish Agency and provides pro bono legal services to disabled children and adults. For a full bio, click here.

3. Laura Ben-David – Photographer, writer, speaker, and marketing professional. Laura Ben-David uses her talents to share her passions, among them Israel and the Jewish people, and to build bridges between people. Formerly the head of social media at Nefesh B'Nefesh, she is now the director of marketing at Shavei Israel. Ben-David, who made aliyah in 2002, is the author of Moving Up: An Aliyah Journal. For a full bio, click here.

4. Mayim Bialik – Actress, author, and neuroscientist. Mayim Bialik is well-known as a successful performer (Blossom, Call Me Kat, The Big Bang Theory) and the current host of Jeopardy! who took a break from acting to earn a BS and a PhD in neuroscience from UCLA. She is also a filmmaker who wrote and directed the star-studded feature As They Made Us and a prolific author, with two of her books reaching #1 on The New York Times Best Sellers list. She frequently contributes to Jewish publications. For a full bio, click here.

5. Daniella Greenbaum Davis – Award-winning producer and columnist. Daniella Greenbaum Davis is an Emmy Award-winning producer and columnist whose work has appeared on ABC and PBS and in the pages of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. She frequently covers stories about Judaism, antisemitism, and Israel. For a full bio, click here.

6. Rayna Rose Exelbierd – Entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and youth mentor. Rayna Rose Exelbierd is a proud Zionist and Jewish woman who, through workshops and lectures, empowers non-Jews to learn Jewish history and develop relationships with the Jewish community. She is the founder and CEO of The Rose Grows and host of a podcast of the same name during which she shares personal stories of facing and fighting antisemitism. Exelbierd has mentored thousands of students around the world and published two books, The Girl Who Said Hello to Everyone and The Girl Who Wore Two Different Shoes. for a full bio, click here.

7. Rabbi Rachel Marder – Rabbi and writer. Rachel Marder, the associate rabbi at Congregation Beth El in South Orange, NJ, graduated from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, where she was a Wexner Graduate Fellow, in 2018. Before rabbinical school, she made aliyah and lived in Israel for several years, working as a writer and editor at The Jerusalem Post. She contributed a chapter to The Sacred Calling: Four Decades of Women in the Rabbinate and holds a BA in Islamic and Middle Eastern studies and an MA in conflict research, management, and resolution. For a full bio, click here.

8. Megan Nathan – Philanthropy professional and Israel advocate. As the program and special initiatives director at Kirsh Philanthropies, Megan Nathan oversees the Shine A Light initiative, which raises awareness about antisemitism through education, community partnerships, workplace engagement, and advocacy, and helps steward Jewish and Israel grantmaking in the US. Previously, as COO of the Israel on Campus Coalition, she provided American students with the resources to support Israel on campus and in their communities. For a full bio, click here.

9. Zoya Raynes – Wall Street leader. A 20-year career in finance has taken the Kyiv-born Zoya Raynes to Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, and now Bank of America, where she is a managing director advising hedge fund, asset manager, pension, insurance, and sovereign wealth fund clients. Raynes is on the board of several major Jewish philanthropies, was one of The Jewish Week's "36 Under 36" and has been honored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York and the Jewish Heritage Program. Get to know Zoya Raynes in the special "Israel at 75" May/June issue of Hadassah Magazine

10. Tabby Refael – Award-winning editorial columnist. Born in Iran after the Islamic Revolution, Tabby Refael received US refugee asylum in the 1990s after fleeing Iran with her family. Also a survivor of the Iran-Iraq War, she is known for writing about Iran, Israel, Jewish identity, women's rights, and Mizrahi advocacy in her column for The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Refael co-founded 30 Years After, America's only civic action organization for Iranian American Jews. Get to know Tabby Rafael in the special "Israel at 75" May/June issue of Hadassah Magazine.

11. Danielle Rugoff – Nonprofit management and policy professional. Danielle Rugoff believes in community-building, civic engagement, and the power of individuals to change the world. Now Senior Director of Movement Programs for Starts With Us, which fights extreme political and cultural divisions, she has more than 20 years of experience focused on the US-Israel relationship, American foreign policy, and Jewish peoplehood. For a full bio, click here.

12. Ana Sazonov – Communal professional and entrepreneur. Born in Ukraine to a non-Jewish mother and a father who repressed his Jewish identity, Ana Sazonov uncovered hers through a program of the IDF and The Jewish Agency and converted to Judaism. Now the executive director of the Columbia Jewish Federation in South Carolina and an advocate for Ukrainian refugees, Sazanov, who holds an MA from the Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program at Brandeis, founded JewBer, a startup that delivered kosher meals to medical professionals, low-income seniors, and Holocaust survivors during COVID. For a full bio, click here.

13. Emily Schrader – Israeli human rights activist and journalist. A senior Ynet correspondent known for giving her more than 175,000 social media followers concise answers to tough questions about Israel's political and historical reality, Emily Schrader established herself as the leading voice for the Iranian people in Israel with her coverage of the ongoing Iranian uprisings. In 2022, she was named one of The Algemeiner's Top 100 People Positively Influencing Jewish Life and the Sixth Most Influential Israeli Woman on Twitter by Raash Digital. For a full bio, click here.

14. Naava Shafner – Social activist and strategic consultant. Naava Shafner, who made aliyah at 12 years old, has spearheaded changes in Israeli legislation, most significantly, legislation allowing flexible paternity leave. Named one of Israel's top 50 social activists in 2016, she has pioneered social initiatives focused on women's rights. These include ImaKadima, which advocates for family-friendly workplaces. Shafner, a strategic fundraising consultant for nonprofits in the social-change sphere, was part of a successful appeal to the Israeli Supreme Court demanding women's rights in the mikvah. For a full bio, click here.

15. Leah Soibel – Founder and media advocate. Leah Soibel has spent more than 15 years in Israel, the US, and Latin America empowering global Latino journalists and media influencers. In 2012, she founded the Emmy Award-winning Fuente Latina, which ensures accuracy in Spanish-language reporting on Israel, the Jewish world, and the Mideast. She recently launched Activista Media, the first English/Spanish digital news brand to engage the next generation of English-dominant, non-Jewish US Latino journalists, influencers, and online news consumers about Jews, antisemitism, and Israel. Get to know Leah Soibel in the special "Israel at 75" May/June issue of Hadassah Magazine.

16. Margot Stern – Entrepreneur, strategic thinker, and visionary. For more than 15 years, Margot Stern has advised companies on global strategic management, private equity, consulting, growth plans, and business strategy. Since moving to Israel in 2006, she has worked at the World Jewish Congress, the European Jewish Fund, and the Jewish Diplomatic Corps. She is the chief strategy officer and acting CFO for ReaGenics Ltd., an Israeli biotech company, and the founder of StellarNova Ltd., an award-winning Israeli children's edutainment company focused on science education. For a full bio, click here.

17. Chaya Leah Sufrin – Educator and community builder. Whether spending time at the Shalom Hartman Institute, leading trips to Israel for young Jews and non-Jews, or advocating for Israel on campus, Chaya Leah Sufrin is not afraid to have tough conversations about the issues facing Israel and the Jews. She also has the unusual ability to simultaneously inhabit the Hasidic world of the Chabad community and the secular world of modern Jews. The executive director of the Long Beach Hillel in Long Beach, Calif., Sufrin cohosts the podcast Ask a Jew, which covers culture, politics, humor, and life. For a full bio, click here.

18. Melissa Weiss – News editor and strategic communications expert. Melissa Weiss, who made aliyah in 2022, is the executive editor of Jewish Insider, the daily newsletter at the nexus of politics, philanthropy, business, and the Jewish community. Before joining JI, she spent nearly a decade working in strategic communications in the nonprofit sector, heading strategy at The Israel Project and the Israel on Campus Coalition before restarting the Simon Wiesenthal Center's campus outreach program. For a full bio, click here.

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Israel will start allowing the limited entry of vaccinated tourist groups next month as its own inoculation campaign has sharply brought down COVID-19 infections, an official statement said on Tuesday.

The return of foreigners after Israel had closed its borders at the outset of the pandemic in March 2020 would boost the country's economy, which contracted 2.5% in 2020, and battered tourism sector. Israel's jobless rate stands at around 10%.

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All foreign visitors will be required to present a negative PCR test before boarding a flight to Israel, and a serological test to prove their vaccination upon arrival at Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.

A statement from the health and tourism ministries said "a limited number of groups will start to arrive on May 23" in the initial phase of the plan. No exact figures were given.

At a later stage, group entry will be expanded and individual travelers will also be let in, with Israel's health situation determining the timeline, the statement said. A detailed outline would be issued in the coming days.

"Israel is the first vaccinated country, and the citizens of Israel are the first to enjoy this result," Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said in a statement. "After opening the economy, it is time to allow tourism in a careful and calculated manner."

The Religious Zionists of America (RZA)-Mizrachi said it plans a delegation to Israel in late May with up to 50 members.

"As more Americans are getting vaccinated and contemplating travel, we wanted to send a strong message to the Jewish community that ... your priority should be to get back to Israel," said RZA vice president Rabbi Ari Rockoff. "As Israel relaxes its travel restrictions, we wanted to be the first organized trip back home."

Israel began to reopen its economy a month ago on the heels of a world-beating inoculation drive, in which some 5 million of the country's 9.3 million population have already received two doses.

There are currently 3,369 active COVID cases, and daily infections have fallen to around 200.

Last week, after a public outcry, the government started allowing non-Israeli, immediate relatives to visit Israel for special events such as births and weddings.

After a record 4.55 million tourists in 2019, just 832,000 visited in 2020 – mainly in January and February – resulting in a loss of $5.3 billion of revenue last year, according to the Tourism Ministry.

"It is time that Israel's unique advantage as a safe and healthy country start to assist it in recovering from the economic crisis, and not only serve other countries' economies," Tourism Minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen said.

"Only opening the skies for international tourism will truly revive the tourism industry, including restaurants, hotels, sites, tour guides, busses and others looking to work and provide for their families."

The Bank of Israel forecasts Israeli economic growth of up to 6.3% in 2021 if the pace of vaccinations is kept up. The International Monetary Fund estimates 5%.

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When traveling with his family to visit British relatives in London or even to the United States, the Tel Aviv resident said he's heard horrible things about Israel and disapproval when he mentioned where he's from. It bothered him so much he felt he had to do something about it.

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Merav Habte, 16, from Maaleh Adumim, whose parents were born in Ethiopia, wanted to learn about the rise of anti-Semitism in the world and how to counter it, as well as ways of expressing her own personal stories about Israel and her family's experiences to others.

That's why they signed up for an initiative, started in November by the pro-Israel organization StandWithUs, called Tevel ("universe" in Hebrew), which focuses on teaching Israeli high-schoolers about leadership and diplomacy – namely, how to present Israel accurately abroad.

The participants, all in 10th grade, meet weekly either in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv and hear from speakers – many of them StandWithUs alumni or team members – about Israel's history, development, economy and perception, among other topics.

Some of the subjects Green and Habte, along with other teens in the program, analyze include how to differentiate legitimate and illegitimate criticism about Israel; the image of Israel from an outside perspective; the goals of the BDS movement; complexities in Israeli society and how they appear outside of the country; Israel's history in an activist's perspective; minorities in Israel; debate skills and how to answer tough questions about Israel; how to speak in front of a camera; and the history of the United Nations, with its biases and often negative influences on Israel, and about its policies and military.

Muhammad Zuabi, an Arab Israeli IDF soldier, spoke to the students about his decision to defend his homeland, the eventual support he got from his parents – despite their initial shock and confusion – and also how the fight for Israel's right to exist is "not only a Jewish fight, but an Israeli fight," said Green.

"The goal of Tevel is to be an educational platform that gives young Israeli leaders a place to grow as leaders with a strong connection to their country," its director, Alon Sternberg, told JNS. "I want to teach the students about the challenges that Israel face in the global arena and how to respond. I want to find the young passionate students that won't have the chance to express themselves in school and give them a chance to blossom."

Currently, 40 students are enrolled in the program, half girls and half boys, with half from Tel Aviv and half from Jerusalem.

Field trips complement the lectures and in-class learning. During a recent visit to the Knesset, for example, they met with Giora Furdis, a spokesperson of the Israeli election committee who offered ideas about how to make the voting process easier.

Participants must also volunteer to boost their hands-on knowledge of Israel's culture, heritage, history and demographic composition to use in sharing personal stories and experiences abroad. Some students collect and donate food to those who can't afford meals; others work with Holocaust survivors, young children or those with special needs.

Green has been volunteering at a senior-care facility near Tel Aviv for a month now. He said he has been inspired by the residents, including one man who was 14 when he helped with the war effort in 1948, just as the state of Israel was established. "The incredible things that he did when he was 14 I can't imagine doing when I'm even 18," acknowledged Green. "I'm just generally in awe of the amazing stuff that they've done."

As for Habte, she and a friend are starting their own project, where a chef will teach Arab and Jewish children how to cook each other's cuisines in an effort to improve relations and stress commonalities of living in the Middle East.

Tevel participants attend different high schools in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and come from diverse backgrounds and beliefs, both religious and secular. What unites them is their passion for Israel and the desire to help tell Israel's story to the world. The students are encouraged to use English to communicate with non-Hebrew speakers when traveling outside of Israel.

During one session focused on "answering tough questions," students practiced (and then were coached on) how to respond to accusations against Israel, such as it being a racist country, an "apartheid state" and not a democracy.

Green remembers practicing in class how to respond to the claim that the West Bank is "the largest prison on earth," run by Israel.

He said students were taught why the security wall was erected in the first place – to help protect Israeli civilians against violence and terrorism encouraged by Palestinian leadership – and step-by-step techniques on countering such arguments to "get the message across in the most optimal way," including making sure that askers not feel attacked or offended, so they can really listen to responses.

"At first, we need to sympathize with them," said Habte. "Tell them, 'OK, this is a really good question' and try to get to know the person first. That's how we'll get people to listen to us."

The session on how to answer tough questions has been Habte's favorite in the program so far and also one of the most important things she has ever learned, she told JNS.

She recalled an instance in Chicago when someone told her that Israel does not exist – that it's really Palestine. Habte said, "To be honest, I had no idea what to say. I was just shocked and quiet. So this session really helped me know what I need to do. Now I have more confidence in myself that I know what to say and how to respond."

She also appreciated hearing from Charlotte Korchak, director of international student programs at StandWithUs, who compared the Jewish state's history with Israel's image around the world, and focused on the country's ancestral roots – topics not explored in a typical high-school history class, stressed Habte.

'Expressing personal stories from our point of view'

The program is also geared to emphasize and develop valuable life skills.

"Every other session deals with how to speak in front of people – whether it's debate skills, or body language and how to move yourself in space, and move your arms in order to get your message across in the most optimal way," explained Green. "We recently did a session about how to answer really tough questions about Israel and learned that sometimes you have to admit that you don't really know the answer, which is important. If you pretend you know the answer for everything when in fact you don't, it gives the wrong message across. That's a good thing to learn. Also how to be in front of a camera, give a speech or statement, and even this interview right now is highly effective by the skills that I acquired there."

He said his favorite part about Tevel is the open forum that leaves opportunity for a wide range of discussions – whether it's about minority groups in Israel or even the Australian bushfires – because it keeps the sessions interesting and "very stimulating."

"The program is not just about coming and listening to lectures every week. It's about expressing personal stories from our point of view," added Habte.

Sternberg said that young people "have to confront the issues that they see on social media, and they have questions. And in the educational system, they don't talk about these kinds of issues. They teach them things they need to know about [Israel's] history, but they don't talk about it from a strategic point of view or from an activist point of view."

"Some kids have an interest in being involved in politics one day, and they know a lot more than most grown-ups, and this program challenges them," he said. "It gives them a place to structure their own point of view for the future."

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

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