LOS ANGELES (Press Release) — StandWithUs (SWU), an international, non-partisan education organization that supports Israel and fights antisemitism, has announced the 2022-23 students participating in its high school and campus programs.
The StandWithUs 2022-23 Kenneth Leventhal High School Interns from San Diego are: Yonatan Libman, Canyon Crest Academy; Daniela Ben Joseph and Eduardo Pupko, San Diego Jewish Academy; Natalie Dean, Westview High School; Ethan Markowitz, Sunset High School and Noa Rosenbaum, Urban Discovery High School.
Sophomore Shani Menna of UC San Diego and senior Tali Adri of San Diego State University are the 2022-23 Emerson Fellows.
Yonatan Libman and his parents Vicki and Rabbi Avi Libman attended San Diego Jewish World’s inaugural event on July 31 held at a magnificent home in La Jolla. Vicki is a member of the StandWithUs San Diego board. The event honored StandWithUs CEO Roz Rothstein and editor Jacob Kamaras presented her with its “Jewish Community Leadership Award.” Editor Emeritus Don Harrison, who sold the venerable site to Jacob for $1, was also honored. Jacob presented Don with a plaque containing a $1 bill, officially marking its transition to a new era. Yael Steinberg, StandWithUs San Diego Director introduced Roz and Liora Berkstein, High School Regional Manager for Southern California also spoke.
StandWithUs staff, Leventhal Interns and Emerson Fellows put on many educational events throughout the year. In one program, Berkstein and high school students including Leventhal Interns Daniela Ben Joseph and Eduardo Pupko, collaborated with the Butterfly Project on a Holocaust education program. It was held at House of Israel in Balboa Park, which receives thousands of visitors each weekend. This unique event made educational content from both the Butterfly Project and the StandWithUs Holocaust Education Center accessible to visitors from around the world. Afterwards, participants visited through the House of Israel, where they learned more about Israeli history and culture.
Berkstein reminisced about her unforgettable week with the Maccabiah Games delegation in Israel. Then, she and Yael Steinberg greeted people and handed out information at the San Diego booth at the Maccabiah Games.
Similar to previous years, the local student leaders join 150 students who were selected for each of the two programs throughout North America.
Created in 2012, the StandWithUs Kenneth Leventhal High School Internship selects and trains student leaders from high schools throughout the United States and Canada to educate about Israel at their schools and to combat antisemitism. During the two-semester program, the Leventhal Interns, who are juniors and seniors, identify the educational needs at their schools as they pertain to Israel and to antisemitism, whether they are rooted in misinformation, ignorance or outright hatred. Then, working with their StandWithUs regional high school managers, they develop a strategy to meet those needs through relevant and practical educational programming.
Founded in 2007, the year-long Emerson Fellowship is a prestigious program that trains, educates, and empowers student leaders on college campuses around the world. Chosen from key campuses, Emerson Fellows lead their campus communities, engage and inspire their peers through impactful educational events, campaigns, and discussions about Israel. These fellows are also trained extensively on how to navigate antisemitic activity on campus, and how to mobilize and confront these issues strategically and effectively. Throughout their experience, Emerson Fellows are plugged into a global community of student leaders where they can exchange ideas, share best practices, and support each other.
Students in both programs attended their respective conferences in August, preparing them for the school year. They learned how to identify and combat anti-Israel campaigns including utilizing the StandWithUs Saidoff Legal Department and Center for Combating Antisemitism. They explored the history of Israel and reviewed the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict while learning how to have rich conversations about Israel. Students gained leadership skills and had regional breakouts with their managers. They left energized and confident, with ideas for programming. Many reported having experienced antisemitic incidents and now feel better prepared to effectively respond to them.
They will also participate in a second StandWithUs conference, “Israel in Focus” from March 2-5, 2023. To be held in Los Angeles, the conference is open to both student leaders and community members. Students have their own track, there are breakout sessions and everyone joins the plenaries to hear from renowned experts from all over the world.
San Diego native Liora Berkstein started her position as StandWithUs High School Regional manager for the Southern California region in June 2021. Prior to starting at San Diego State University, she attended the Nativ College Leadership Program in Israel and studied at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, spending time teaching dance and English on an immigrant youth farm village near Haifa. She was the Vice President of the Jewish Student Union, the Engagement Associate Intern for Hillel of San Diego, and a Hasbara Fellow. She graduated with a degree in Child and Family Development and took part in many teaching internships. Liora was the Program Director at the Friendship Circle of San Diego. In this role, Liora contributed towards the ongoing efforts of inclusion within the community of special needs children and adults, and served as the director of the Teen Leadership Board for high school students across San Diego County
UCLA 2022 graduate Chloe Levian, who received summa cum laude honors and her bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Israel Studies, started as the StandWithUs Southwest Campus Regional Manager in July 2022. Chloe was the President of Bruins for Israel at UCLA and is a proud alum of the StandWithUs Emerson Fellowship. Chloe is excited to empower college students to be the best leaders they can be, the same way StandWithUs empowered her as a student. She is also active on social media through the account: @thatperisanjew.
“Each year, I remain impressed with the enthusiasm and creativity of our awesome San Diego high school and college student leaders. They learn from previous participants in our programs and nominate candidates for the coming year,” stated Yael Steinberg. “As antisemitism continues to rise, including in San Diego, these students – already leaders in their schools and communities – are fully prepared to confront these challenges while also organizing programming that shares the beauty, accomplishments and experience of Israel.”
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Preceding provided by StandWithUs