Theme Time...4. How do I bring Israel to my chapter? Programming Ideas Chalutzim/ Chalutzon USY Israel Pilgrimage...

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1 Daniela Rojzman HaNegev Israel Affairs Vice President

2 A Special Message From your Regional IA...3 Theme Time...4 What do I do now?...5 How do I bring Israel to my chapter? Programming Ideas Chalutzim/ Chalutzon USY Israel Pilgrimage...12 Israel Advocacy HC Online Resources GOOD LUCK

3 Shalom Chapter IAs!!!! Mazal Tov on being chosen to the greatest position on board EVER!! Your chapters have trusted YOU to bring Israel to them and I am beyond excited to see everything that you guys will get done this year! I m sure you already know why Israel is so great: the people are awesome, the food is the best in the whole entire world and the culture is one of a kind. It gives us hope where so little hope is found and at least for me, makes me feel more at home than my house. All that being said, it s very important to understand that Israel means different things to different people. There is so much to learn and gain from Israel and so much to do for it, and this year, I want to bring all aspects of it to the beautiful region of HaNegev. It is so important that we all learn why Israel is so significant and what we here can do to help. The chapters are the framework of our region and where we should start advocating for our homeland and where you as your chapter s Israel Affairs VP become so important. I was a Chapter IA not too long ago, I ve been in your same shoes, I know exactly what you re going through and I m ALWAYS here to help. If you re stuck and need to plan an IA program, if you want to find new ways to spread love and advocate, if you want to just talk Israel, or even if you re having a bad day, I m here for all of you! You also have an awesome Israel Affairs Regional General Board to help you out in whatever you may need! In this handbook, you will find different ways of implementing Israel in your events, updating the USYers in your chapters, and advocating for Israel! 3

4 Every year, the Regional IA VP chooses a theme for the year. This year, the Israel theme will be building connections, building peace. To me, it is essential that we understand the importance of coexistence and of establishing good relations not only with those living around Israel and with her enemies, but also between the people living in Israel, as it is made up of such diverse groups of people. Our year Israel- wise will be focused on understanding the idea that peace is not a reality until people start understanding each other. It is important that we use the power that we have to help educate those around us. I NEED your help in making my dream of this a reality by spreading Israel in your chapters because it is so important that we establish a strong relationship with and love for Israel in all HaNegev USYers. Throughout the year at conventions and through other means, I will be incorporating this theme. It is your job to help me bring the theme back to the chapters! Some simple ways to do this is to: Plan a program that shows BOTH sides of what is going on at that point in time in the news with Israel and her enemies. Run the where do you stand program to show that there are so many different views in Israel on how some domestic policy should be run. Update your chapter s USYers regularly on the news. Write letters/send packages to soldiers and give them your so that maybe they write back to start building that special connection between USYers and the people ensuring Israel remains safe(i ve written and gotten answers multiple times!!) Bring in the interfaith dialogue! ex: by bringing in teens from a local church or mosque 4

5 Here are some things you can do to start and make sure you stay on top of your game!!! UPDATE With today s technology, keeping up with Israeli current events and sharing them is easy. Making sure that your chapter is up to date with what s going on in Israel is super important, be it the newest Israeli singer, sports, the Israeli government, etc! This can be done before events or on any of your chapter s social media accounts! You could also set up an Israel Update board outside your youth lounge where you update people on what s going on in Israel, show them a new Israeli recipe, some slang words, or anything else you can think of! INFORM You should make sure that you and your chapter know tons about Israel. Now that may seem like a very large task but it s as simple as having an Israel fact of the week or teaching your chapter something new that you learned about Israel. Take a few minutes to do a little research. If you want to brush up on your Israel facts or add a few to your collection check out the end of this packet for some great resources! PROGRAM Did you know you can learn AND have fun?!?! I know, you must think I m crazy. But programming is a great way to teach about Israel and have a super- duper fun time while doing it! Plan a chapter event that is all about Israel and make sure everyone is just as excited as you are. Later in this packet you ll find some great program ideas. Whether or not you make your own program, re- use one, or put your own twist on an oldie, pick something that interests you and the people in your chapter! PROMOTE It is YOUR job to encourage members in your chapter to go on USY summer programs. What better way could you spend your summer than with USY in Israel or all around North America?! USY also offers year round programs such as USY High (8 weeks learning in Israel) and Nativ (a gap year program). Talk to people in your chapter, and make it your goal to send as many kids as you can on USY Israel programs. Make sure to also promote, USY s Israel advocacy club, Chalutzim, throughout your chapter. Join and encourage everyone is your chapter to do so too! STAY CONNECTED Make sure that you and your chapter are all on the HaNegev listserv (you can go to hanegevusy.org to sign up). You will get our weekly Israel Updates, other super- fun Israel related e- mails, and you ll be up to date with what s going on in the rest of the region! 5

6 There are so many ways to bring Israel to your chapter, here is a list of 101 things you can do 1. Human Israeli Monopoly (Build a life- sized Monopoly board with streets named after streets in Israel, and use USYers as the game pieces). 2. Plant a tree in Israel. 3. Sing the Shir HaMalot section of Birkat HaMazon on Shabbos to the tune of HaTikvah. 4. Eat Falafel and Schwarma. 5. Teach Hebrew to your USYers. 6. Name teams after Israeli cities. 7. Build a model Kotel. 8. Hang pictures of Jerusalem in your Youth Lounge. 9. Hang an Israeli flag in your Youth Lounge. 10. Sing HaTikvah before some meetings. 11. Place Israeli flags on the table of each meal. 12. Have a Ben Yehuda Street carnival. 13. Have an Israeli dancing lesson. 14. Play Israeli Jeopardy. 15. Put an Israel related theme on your shirts (i.e. Israeli flags, view of Jerusalem, map of Israel, etc.) 16. Teach traditional Israeli songs (Bashanah Haba ah, Yerushalayim Shel Zahav, etc.). 17. Purchase Israeli dreidels that say Nes Gadol Hayah Po (a great miracle happened here), instead of the American dreidels of Nes Gadol Hayah Sham (a great miracle happened there). Have a dreidel contest for Hannukah. 18. Make a mock Aliyah, imitating the pilgrims who first came to Israel. Have USYers sneak into an area designated as Israel. If they get caught, they are not allowed to enter. 19. Write letters to the American government asking for and explaining the importance of aid to Israel. 20. Have a discussion on the USYers feelings on the peace process. 21. Promote Chalutzim membership. 22. Put on a play characterizing the different types of Jews who live in Israel. 23. Have past Pilgrimage participants come and speak about and show pictures of their experience. 24. Have a blue and white day. Have USYers wear blue and white, bake cookies or cake and decorate them with blue and white frosting, do artwork with blue and white paint, etc. 25. For Hanukkah, serve sufganyot (jelly doughnuts) instead of latkes (or both!!!!). 26. Have a shaliach visit your shul. 27. Invite members of NOAM to visit your shul. 28. Set up a pen pal program with Israeli teens. 29. Encourage USYers to participate in NATIV and USY High. 30. Have past NATIV and USY High participants come and speak about their experience. 31. Produce an Israel Affairs Newsletter. 6

7 32. Play Israeli music at your meetings. 33. Put up a map of Israel and discuss the difference in boundaries between now and Invite an Israeli singer to perform at your shul. 35. Set up a Chalutzim booth at meetings. 36. Have special programs for only Chalutzim members. 37. Have your shul subscribe to the Jerusalem Post. 38. Set up a Yom Ha atzmaut carnival. 39. Have a mock Knesset. 40. Create a mock Israeli town and attempt to resolve a local conflict between the Arabs and the Jews living in the town. 41. Distribute pamphlets on Pilgrimage, Chalutzim, NATIV, and USY High. 42. Make water bottle holders (and other incentives) as gifts for future Pilgrimage participants. 43. Put a JNF box into your Youth lounge. Use this money to plant trees on Hill 16 (the USY hill of trees in Israel). 44. Organize a temple trip to Israel. 45. Commemorate Yom HaZikaron by hearing the siren at an event. 46. Have a mock GADNA day (Have an ex- Israeli soldier lead it!). 47. Encourage your shul to have a Hebrew Crash Course for those who wish to learn to read, write, and speak Hebrew. 48. Have someone going to Israel bring home Shekalim (Israeli currency). 49. Serve Israeli chocolate at meetings. 50. Discussion Question: If the United States and Israel were to be at war, which side would you fight for? 51. Have an Israeli soldier come and speak about life in TZAHAL (the Israeli Army). 52. Purchase TZAHAL T- shirts for your chapter. 53. Watch a documentary about Israel. 54. Make a documentary about Israel (From the perspective of an American, Jewish teenager). 55. Split up your chapter into groups. Have each group make a commercial to sell Israel, or a trip to Israel (such as Pilgrimage). 56. Have a life- sized poster made from a photo taken of a scenic spot in Israel (there are thousands!). Use this poster to take Polaroids of USYers overlooking Israeli sites. Sell these Polaroids at your events (great T.O. fund raiser). 57. Have an art or writing contest about feelings towards Israel. 58. Discussion Question: What role should American Jews play in Israel? Should we have a say in governmental proceedings? 59. Hold an event in which you simulate a kibbutz lifestyle. 60. Have Shabbos kavanah sessions focused around singing Israeli songs. 61. Celebrate Tu B Shvat. 62. Discussion Question: How can we aid Russian and Ethiopian immigrants in Israel? 63. Set up your Youth Lounge to look like a specific site in Israel. 64. Purchase computer programs about Israel for your chapters and Hebrew Schools. 65. Encourage Bar/Bat Mitzvah students to plant trees in honor of their guests. 66. Encourage members of your shul to plant trees in honor of special events (graduations, bar/bat mitzvahs, etc.). 67. Discussion Question: Who is a real Jew? Are the Ethiopian Jews really Jewish? In their eyes, are we? 68. Discussion Question: Why does Jerusalem need to remain in Jewish hands? 7

8 69. Discussion Question: What role does the conservative movement play in Israel? 70. Discussion Question: Should all of Israel follow Jewish laws? (Ex. Shabbos, Kashrut, etc.) 71. Acquire a connection with your local Israeli embassy and learn about daily events through the use of modern technology. 72. Have races where USYers have to employ different skills to get from the Galilee to the Negev. (In Tel- Aviv need to name the Prime Minister, in Jerusalem need to sing the entire HaTikvah, at Ein Gedi have a water balloon toss, etc.). 73. Adopt an Israeli family to serve as your personalized connection to Israel. 74. Have a writing contest on what it is that we are hoping for in HaTikvah (the hope). 75. Set up a mock waterfall like Ein Gedi, and splash your way to a great time. 76. Incorporate a section of Israeli dancing into your chapter, sub- regional, and regional dances. 77. Have a Karaoke session with Israeli songs. 78. Sponsor a song- writing contest about Israel. 79. Send supplies to help support the immigrants, which are continuously pouring in. 80. Determine the differences between the celebrations of Jewish holidays by Israelis and Americans and try to incorporate both into your celebrations. 81. Have Pilgrims put together copies of their journals and share these with your chapter. 82. Run a mock United Nations to learn how Israel deals with other nations. 83. Have Hebrew School children at your shul make Israeli flags for their homes. 84. Have a Tzedakah box decorating party at the beginning of the year and have USYers collect money. Right before Tu B Shvat collect money and plant a small forest in honor of your chapter. 85. Challenge the different departments of your shul (i.e. Sisterhood, Men s Club) to a contest to see which department can have the greatest number of trees planted. 86. Sponsor a contest in your chapter to see which individual can get the most trees planted. Offer a reward for the winner. 87. Ensure that your shul provides scholarships to USYers who want to go to Israel. 88. Get the perspective of a Holocaust survivor on the connection between the Holocaust and the formation of Israel. 89. Write to a Jewish British Youth Group to determine their views on the fact that Britain would not allow Jewish refugees to enter Palestine during W.W.II. 90. Split your chapter up into Arabs and Jews and have them debate the right to control Jerusalem. 91. Find verses from the Torah and analyze how they prove our ownership of Israel. 92. Start each meeting with an additional tidbit of neat information about Israel. 93. Have a participant of USY High speak to your chapter. 94. Have a library of books about Israel available to your chapter for anyone who wishes to learn more. 95. Have two clocks in your Youth Lounge; one on your time, one on Israeli time. 96. Have a picture of the Kotel on the Eastern side of your Youth Lounge to remind USYers why we face east when we pray. 97. Explain the significance of the holy sites in Israel. 98. Set up a mock service following the types of services that used to be held in the temple. 99. Paint a mural of different sites in and emotions toward Israel Adopt an immigrant family and help them get established Plan a march through your town to acquire support for soldiers. 8

9 Here are some program ideas to get you started! There are endless possibilities when planning an Israel- related program. Don t be afraid to get creative! If you would like more ideas, you can contact me or visit the International USY Israel Affairs website where you ll find not only program ideas, but also joint IA/SATO projects, ideas for Israeli advocacy, information about summer programs, Chalutzim incentives, and much more! Getting loco for Trivia and Shoko: Set up a Jeopardy board full of Israeli Trivia! As an added treat, get plastic bags and chocolate milk, put the chocolate milk in the bag, cut one of the corners of the bag and enjoy! It s a fun way to implement Israel into a program that will get everyone involved! A Night on Ben Yehuda Street: The street includes Falafel, G ildah (ice cream), jewelry making, and other Israel delights. Then the lights go out and an Israeli dance party starts!! Let s All Take a Trip to Israel: This program takes place without even leaving the building. Everyone receives a passport, goes through security checks, customs, flies on an El Al plane, watches an in flight movie, and davens at the Kotel Tzahal: Members come dressed in army regalia and have a chance to reenact and simulate life as an Israeli soldier. The program includes calisthenics, and a briefing on the current situation in Israel. A game of capture the flag can be played to simulate war and an imitation boot camp can be set up to show army training. Where Do You Stand? Here s a program to help USYers formulate their own opinions on issues related to Israel On one side of the room put a sign that says Strongly agree and on the other side should be a sign that says strongly disagree. Between the lines place a line of masking tape (on the ground) and a sign that says indifferent. Start by reading the first statement and ask USYers to stand where they feel best 9

10 describes their opinion of the statement. Get them talking, play devil s advocate, anything you can to get their juices flowing. Statement 1: You have to live in Israel to be a Zionist Statement 2: It is absolutely necessary that Jerusalem be in Jewish hands Statement 3: All businesses in Israel should be closed on Shabbat Statement 4: Restaurants in Israel should serve only kosher (meaning no mixing milk and meat, pork, shellfish, etc. - all meat in Israel is kosher!!) food Statement 5: Since they don t live in Israel and do not have to deal with the hardships facing Israeli citizens, American Jews have no place criticizing or intervening in Israeli Politics and should not use the word we when referring to Israel Statement 6: The Law of Return should be expanded to encompass Palestinians as well as Jews Statement 7: I believe that peace is possible among Israel and its neighbors Israel Lounge Night: Themed lounge nights are always a blast, so make your next one Israel themed. Some ways to do this includes: decorating your lounge with Israeli posters, bumper stickers etc, eating Israeli foods- make pita (if possible), falafel, Israeli candy, etc, teaching Israeli songs or dances, playing popular Israeli music throughout the night, watching an Israeli movie, or TV show and telling everyone to wear blue and white! 10

11 Chalutzim: What is Chalutzim? Chalutzim is Hebrew for The Pioneers, who were the original settlers in modern- day Israel. Because these original pioneers dedicated their lives to creating the best possible life for their descendants, Israel today is stronger than ever. In USY, Chalutzim is the Israel Advocacy specialty club, created so that we too can create the best possible Israel, through Israel programming, advocacy workshops, and fun activities. Chalutzim is the best opportunity for anyone who loves our land, and wants to support her, through knowledge and action. Who can join Chalutzim? You can! Chalutzim is for any paid member of USY who loves Israel. Join today! Simply fill out the form found on this website: d1xl55a8/viewform and you re in! Why should I join Chalutzim? You get a t- shirt at IC, pins or stickers, late night sessions at your regional conventions and at IC, and plenty of other incentives. Of course, these are just complimentary the amazingness of Chalutzim should be incentive enough to join! Chalutzon: The Chalutzon is the Israel Newsletter, full of hot Israeli music, movies, slang, as well as articles written by YOU! If you would like to write for the Chalutzon please contact me!!! 11

12 It is true that we can learn all about Israel from here. However, to truly experience the magic that is Israel, it is important to visit! It is your job, as your Chapter s IA VP, to promote Israel Pilgrimage in your chapters. If money is an issue, let your USYers know that there are scholarships they can apply for on the chapter, regional and international level and that they shouldn t let money be an issue!! The different tracks offered are: Eastern Europe/Israel Pilgramage: Discover Eastern Europe, from the towering spires of Prague to the bustling creativity of Berlin to the quiet, rolling countryside of Poland. Gain a deeper understanding of Jewish history in each country (which includes visits to concentration camps), before embarking on a four- week tour of Israel. Israel Pilgrimage/Poland Seminar: Spend a week walking among the history and culture of Polish Jewry in Warsaw, Krakow, and Lublin, and engage in moving visits to the concentration camps of Sobibor, Majdanek, Auschwitz, Birkenau, and Treblinka. Then, with a new appreciation of Jewish history, spend the next four weeks discovering and exploring modern day Israel. Italy/Israel Pilgrimage: Begin your experience with a week of travel in Italy learning about the history of Italian Jewry from the inside, exploring the amazing cities of Milan, Venice, Florence and Rome. You ll spend the final four weeks experiencing all that Israel has to offer. USY Israel Adventure: Climb the fortress of Masada, put a note in the Kotel in Jerusalem, lay on the beaches of Tel Aviv, and drink tea in a Bedouin tent in the Negev desert as you travel across the beautiful, diverse landscape of Israel! Israel Adventure PLUS: Spend five weeks experiencing a complete introduction to the land of Israel. Time is spent living history in Jerusalem, traveling through Haifa, hiking the Galilee, snorkeling in Eilat, and exploring the Negev. Your group will also have an option week where they will choose from, Gadna, Israeli army training simulation and other unique Israel experience. You will learn about Israel by visiting throughout its length and breadth. L Takayn Olam: Gain a true love and understanding of the Jewish homeland by planting new life into its soil, meeting and engaging with its people, and lending a hand to make it even better. Spend four weeks sightseeing, exploring, and engaging in service projects on a daily basis in Haifa, Jerusalem, and the Golan with USY. On L Takyan Olam, you ll experience Israel in a one- of- a- kind way, that you can t get from any other trip! 12

13 How to advocate for Israel, you ask yourself??? Don t worry! It s E.A.S.Y. DUCATE: Learn about Israel by knowing all of the basic facts and keeping up with current events, while educating others around you! You can do this by watching the news or reading online news sources (like the ones at the end of the packet) and then tell others what you learned! LWAYS STAY POSITIVE: It is important to be careful with your word choice when discussing Israel. Try to turn negative statements into more positive ones! Example: Israel could not have prevented the attack yesterday. Instead say: Israel is working to prevent attacks such as the one yesterday. OLIDARITY: As the expression goes: the more, the merrier! You do not have to advocate for Israel by yourself! The opposite!! You should work with the rest of your chapter and your synagogue to think of new ways to support Israel. OUR MONEY: Although money isn t everything, there are many organizations in Israel that you and your chapter can help! You can work with your Social Action/Tikun Olam (SA/TO) VP to raise money through your chapter for so many organizations from ones that help plant trees to others that help lone soldiers! 13

14 10 Tips to Being a Better Advocate: 1. Israel is a democracy- Remind people that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. 2. Israel wants peace- Many think that the lack of peace is because Israelis don t want it. Stress that, although it is extremely difficult, Israel s main goal has always been and always will be peace. 3. Offense- Remember that what people hear sticks with them and so if they hear you constantly talking about Israel s commitment to democracy, freedom, and peace, then that is what will stick with them. 4. Don t stress the (ancient) past- It s all about the future! The fact that the Jews have lived in Israel for thousands of years is religiously based and not a convincing argument. Stress the recent past (Post 1948) and relate it to the present and future to give a valid argument. The fact that Israel has offered to return lands captured in war in exchange for peace IS a valid argument. 5. Sell the dream- Don t focus too much on land and who has to give up what. You lose your audience when they begin to think that one side has given up or has taken too much land. 6. Cooperate- Make sure that everyone else around you is talking about the same hopeful or political message. Mixed messages get people confused and send out the wrong idea. Things get accomplished when a uniform message is sent. 7. Spread your message where it needs to be spread- It is important to talk to all USYers and supporters of Israel in general, but it is even more important to reach out to those who are indifferent about Israel. 8. Television is the medium- Most people get their news through television and the media can be incredibly biased against Israel. This is why it is so important to provide your chapter with accurate news sources and to talk about media biases so that people in your chapter can watch out for them. 7 Violations of Media Objectivity 1. Misleading definitions and terminology 2. Imbalanced reporting 3. Opinionated reporting 4. Lack of context 5. Selective omission 6. Using true facts to draw false conclusions 7. Distortions of facts 9. Keep it simple- Instead of overwhelming people in your chapter with tons of new information, pick a few key things you want to stress. Repetition is key! Keep stressing your key points and people will catch on! If you want to stress peace, then keep bringing up peace and maybe give a new example every week or every few weeks so that people don t have to retain tons of information, and your key point is still being put out there. 10. Delegate- You are not the sole advocator of Israel. If you need or want help, contact me, the IA GB, other USYers in your chapter, and even other people in your synagogue! 14

15 Heschel, Chalutzim, and 613 are the 3 clubs that International USY has to offer. Heschel is the Rel/Ed club, Chalutzim is the Israel club, and 613 is SA/TO s club. HC6 is HaNegev s club that you can be a part of if you are in two or more of these international clubs, and there will be regional and sub- regional programs throughout the year for HC6 members. Here are some ideas that incorporate two or more of these clubs/positions for you to implement in your own chapter! Work with the Rel/Ed and/or IA VP to make these programs successful! Write letters to soldiers in Israel Sell boxes of mac and cheese as grogers on Purim for $2 a box. Have a collection bin outside services - when services are finished, people can put the boxes back and you can donate them to your local food bank. Shabbat- o- grams: make cute notecards that say Shabbat Shalom on them. People can send them to each other for a dollar. You ll deliver them during services. Make it synagogue- wide if you can. Israel movie marathon - invite the community to an Israeli movie marathon! Play Israeli movies and sell drinks and popcorn. Charge money to get in and for each food item. Donate the money to T.O. Make Rosh Hashanah baskets with honey, apples, and greeting cards. Deliver them to synagogue members in exchange for a T.O donation. HC6 can easily be used in Tu Bishvat programming. Host a seder where you sing Tu Bishvat songs in hebrew, educate people on sustainability and the importance of nature, and ask that people purchase trees to be planted in Israel (through JNF). Have a prayer service on the beach preceded or followed by a beach cleanup. 15

16 Israeli News Sources: - Media monitoring group - Jerusalem Post - Committee for Accuracy in Mid- East Reporting in America - Israel Broadcasting Network - Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs - News Israel Advocacy: - American Israeli Public Affairs Committee - Anti- Defamation League - Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs - Myths vs facts - Jewish Agency for Israel Israeli TV and Radio: - Israeli radio stations music.com - Israeli music - Israeli culture Israeli Shopping: - Naot shoes - Dead Sea Products store.com - Hadaya Jewlery 16

17 Well, that s all for now! I know this is a lot to take in all at once, but you are not alone!! This lovely handbook, your youth directors, chapter presidents, programming VPs, the Israel Affairs General Board and I are here!! Don t be afraid to ask for help! I hope you are ready for an awesome, Israel- loving- and- full year!! I can t wait to see what this year has in store and what we will all accomplish together! GOOD LUCK! אם תרצו, אין זו אגדה If you will it, it is no dream, Daniela Rojzman HaNegev Israel Affairs and Executive Vice President International Israel Affairs General Board 2015 Me: Phone number: Danielarojzman@gmail.com Joel Rittenberg- Advocacy Chair Phone number: joelerittenberg@gmail.com Aaron Levine- Ein Gedi Correspondent Phone number: rnlevine16@gmail.com Allyson Baros- Kabler- Mercaz Correspondent Phone number: allyson.bk.98@gmail.com Cole Deutch- Arvot Correspondent Phone number: coledeutch@gmail.com Brooke Regent- Communications Coordinator Phone number: brookergt1@gmail.com 17