Hillel JUC and Federation launch Israel trip to train student advocates
'Participants will return to campus strengthened in their Jewish and Zionist identities while having the practical tools to share with the Jewish and non-Jewish campus community'
A program designed to alter college life in Pittsburgh is taking students to Israel. The Campus Ambassadors program, led by Hillel JUC with support from the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, will train 10 University of Pittsburgh students to become peer educators and advocates on campus.
Oakland-based workshops operated by Federation staff — which began weeks ago — are intended to equip students with the “knowledge, skills and confidence to return to their campuses and speak out against antisemitism and anti‑Zionism,” David Knoll, Federation’s associate vice president of public affairs, said.
Dan Marcus, Hillel JUC’s executive director and CEO, touted the program as a “transformative and important” opportunity for students.
Though college students have multiple pathways to study about and visit Israel, Campus Ambassadors offers a unique opportunity to “engage with Israel in a highly sophisticated and meaningful way,” he said. Given its ability to provide students with “knowledge and fluency regarding Israel’s diversity, participants will return to campus strengthened in their Jewish and Zionist identities while having the practical tools to share with the Jewish and non-Jewish campus community.”
Pitt freshman Danielle Yakhnis, 18, said the training has brought together students ranging in age and background. What they share, however, is a commitment to engaging in Jewish life on campus.
“We all do activities surrounding Judaism,” she said. “I see a lot of them at Chabad. We go to Shabbat dinners together.”
Yakhnis said she was drawn to the program’s potential for delivering insight into Israeli life post-Oct. 7.
While visiting the Jewish state between March 5-15, Campus Ambassadors will partake in numerous conversations with local residents and policymakers.
Those experiences should shape perspectives, Marcus said. “This program delves much more deeply into the social, cultural and political realities of Israel, and affords the students the opportunity to go well beyond headlines and social media.”
Yakhnis agreed, and told the Chronicle that listening to locals recount their experiences from the past two years will “make me much better equipped at having conversations about Israel with people that know a lot about Israel and people that don’t.”
Pitt junior Sofie Tepperman, 20, said she’s looking forward to hearing more about policy and advocacy work in Israel.
Having an experience that goes beyond a regular tourist trip and “being able to learn a little bit more information about all of the ins and outs is going to be really exciting,” she said.
The program is a win for Federation, Knoll said, as it advances two of the organization’s “major funding priorities: engaging young adults and addressing antisemitism.”
“By developing young leaders who can educate their peers, foster constructive dialogue and counter misinformation, the program both deepens young adult engagement and strengthens campus‑based responses to rising antisemitism,” he said.
Marcus credited Federation’s “support and partnership,” and said without the umbrella organization’s assistance, “this trip would not be able to take place.”
With costs for travel, lodging and food throughout the 10-day trip covered, the investment is sizable. Federation representatives declined to disclose how much funding the organization is contributing toward Campus Ambassadors.
Yakhnis said she recognizes the significance of the opportunity and said pre-trip training has made clear the journey will be a “very unique trip and also a very difficult one.”
What’s been promised is that the visit will allow space to learn from “different people,”
Tepperman said. While there’s much to look forward to, “I’m excited to just experience the trip away from my phone, and not really with all of the negative media consistently surrounding me.” PJC
Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
comments