In December 2023, Fuel For Truth’s Justin Ellis traveled to Bnei Netzarim, where he worked in greenhouses that were damaged during the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack.
Aug. 25 event is for teens, college students, parents
By Deb Silverthorn
Since Oct. 7, advocating for Israel on campus requires new skills and strategies. From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, Jewish National Fund-USA will host “How to Talk About Israel: Addressing Antisemitism on High School and College Campuses.” JNF-USA’s Stefan Oberman and Justin Ellis of Fuel For Truth will lead the program, which is geared for students in grades eight through college and their parents.
Registration is required, with location information then provided, for the program that will empower participants with the skills to navigate difficult conversations about Israel and to learn effective strategies to address antisemitism and anti-Zionism.
“We’ve had many calls about how to manage in these unprecedented times. That’s been the catalyst for this event. It is a pilot program we expect will spread across the country,” said Ellie Adelman, major gifts director, Dallas of Jewish National Fund-USA. “Our attendees will walk away able to use the resources to manage these difficult conversations.”
Oberman, JNF-USA’s director of communications, has more than 15 years of experience in speech writing, Israel advocacy, public speaking, media training and crisis management. He previously worked in business development and government affairs and as a bureau chief for two ambassadors of Israel.
“Our CEO, Russell Robinson, was in the air on his way to Israel when the atrocities of Oct. 7 occurred. In less than three hours we had a situation room established, we were determining the needs and we were moving,” he said. “Our Alexander Muss High School students were volunteering and most didn’t want to return to the States. This is family, it’s personal and it’s still raw.
“Back home, it’s important that Jewish and pro-Israel communities everywhere come together at this difficult time and share strategies on how to combat antisemitism and how to celebrate Israel’s and our Zionist movement’s achievements,” Oberman added.
The Aug. 25 event will educate parents and students about pro-Israel resources. It will provide useful techniques on how to stand up for the Jewish homeland on high school and college campuses as well as in the workplace.
Oberman believes studying in Israel is the best way for high school students to learn the ropes. “Nothing can replace exploring 4,000 years of our people’s history where it happened and, most importantly, seeing the realities on the ground.”
In July 2024, Stefan Oberman, JNF-USA’s director of communications, left, met with communities in Israel’s north and south to better understand the realities on the ground following the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks.
Fuel For Truth leaders educate young Jews about Israel, the Middle East and how to effectively combat misinformation surrounding the Jewish state. In addition to his work with Jewish National Fund-USA, Ellis, the former executive director of Fuel For Truth and now a volunteer leader, has led workshops for thousands of young adults throughout the United States and for the benefit of CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis), the Israeli American Council, the Jewish Agency For Israel, the Jewish Federations of North America and Zionist Organization of America.
“The challenge for many Jews since Oct. 7 is, how do I have conversations with those whose reality isn’t mine? How do I get others to listen to me and not shut me out?” he said. “People don’t easily change their beliefs overnight, but we can learn how to better reach people where they are.”
Ellis, who was interviewed in 2022 on the Jewish Broadcasting Service’s “Eye on Israel,” explained that his organization explores Israeli history on a deeper level to analyze the hot-button conflict issues. In this way, young Jews learn how to discuss those issues productively with people of different backgrounds and views.
Becca Norton, JNF-USA’s senior Israel advocacy and engagement director for the Southwest, has a presence on campuses including many throughout Texas. She works with Hillel, Chabad on Campus, panhellenic chapters and others hosting programs for Jewish and non-Jewish students.
“We are forced now, in a way unlike any other in recent times, to have really difficult conversations. The best way to do that is to be educated,” she said. “We want to encourage our high school students to spend time in Israel. Our Alexander Muss High School semester and mini-mester programs are great options. We see that those who have spent time in Israel come home with a unique confidence and are much better prepared for campus life.”
Norton stressed the importance of the Aug. 25 event. “We’ll provide the tools and the facts so they can advocate effectively,” she said.
From Nov. 14 to 17, Dallas will host JNF-USA’s annual Global Conference for Israel. Attendees from around the country will meet with Israelis affected by the Oct. 7 terror attacks and hear about work underway to repair damaged communities. Summit events for teens and college students are scheduled as part of the conference. In partnership with BBYO and the Aaron Family JCC, a teens-only party for locals and more than 200 teens expected from out of town will be held Saturday, Nov. 16.
For RSVPs and location information for the Aug. 25 “How to Talk About Israel” event, visit tinyurl.com/JNF-USA-Talk-About-Israel. For support for students on campus, visit jnf.org/campusresources. For more information on, or to register for, the Global Conference for Israel — space is already filling for the teen and college summits — visit jnf.org/global.
