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In 2003, Alan Dershowitz, a criminal appellate lawyer, the Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, and an internationally recognized Arab-Israel conflict commentator, wrote his acclaimed, New York Times bestseller, The Case for Israel. In his book Dershowitz addresses strong accusations and myths about Israel and refutes them with what he refers to as "The Reality" and backs up his commentary with "The Proof" section, explaining why his viewpoint is correct with factual information. Dershowitz has proved to the world Israel's right to exist and has given Jews everywhere a legitimate source of information to advocate for Israel in any situation. From speaking at AIPAC Policy Conference in 2010, to protesting the Durban Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Dershowitz has clearly made his case for Israel.
Neil Lazarus, an internationally acclaimed expert in the field of the Arab-Israel conflict, Israel advocacy, and effect communication training, has trained a new generation of Israeli diplomats and army/airforce spokespeople. Acting as the lead director of Awesome Seminars, Lazarus gives presentations to all ages of people that are fun, informative, and entertaining. Some of his return clients include The Prime Minister's Office, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Israeli Defense Forces, the Israeli Air Force, The Israeli Ministry of Tourism, Jewish Federations, Keshet Television, The World Bank, Harvard University Extension Courses in Israel, Yad Vashem, Hillel, Hadassah, Birthright and The Jewish Agency of Israel, USY, and many more. Speaking to over 25,000 people a year on behalf of Israel's defense, Lazarus has made his case for Israel.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the current Prime Minister of Israel, has fought in the Israeli Defense Forces as the commander in the elite Sayeret Matkal commando unit during the Yom Kippur War and the Six Day War. Working in Israeli politics since 1988, Bibi is currently serving his second term as Israel's Prime Minister. During the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) 2010 Policy Conference, Netanyahu gave a moving speech that reached even the unwanted attention of some of his audience members. Pro-Palestinian supporters who were fake attendees and supporters of the annual AIPAC Policy Conference dinner periodically shouted in protest during Netanyahu's speech. The words of the few protesters and their repetitive phrases such as "Free Gaza" and "Down with Israel" caused minor disturbance, but turned more attention to Netanyahu's reaction. Near the end of his speech, Netanyahu denounced all current terrorist regimes, but made a clear stance as a supporter of the future Palestinian State living in harmony with the current Israeli State. Netanyahu has made his case for Israel.
As USYers and Conservative Jews we should all take the imitative to not only cherish Israel in our hearts, but to also make our own case for Israel just like the many people before us. Our forefathers, the creators and founders of Israel, fought hard to make their dream become our reality. Herzl, Ben-Gurion, Meir, and many other past leaders of Israel have made their cases and now it is our time to make ours. With daily threats from Iran, militant Palestinian nations, and terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, we don't have time to worry about "it" tomorrow. Now, more than ever we need to stand up for what we believe in. In creating our individual cases for Israel, we need to keep Israel close to ourselves and our communities in every way possible.
My most important job this year is not to just inform and educate, but to recruit and recreate. This year I'd like to take USY's Israel programming to unheard of heights, educate USY about the immediate threat Iran's nuclear program and take immediate action with the reinstating of the Block the Bomb campaign, create an International Hechalutzim Convention for everyone in USY to experience a magical weekend of fun-filled, informative Israeli culture, history, and advocacy, and increase Pilgrimage attendance. Let's start small USY. Let's take things one step at a time. Let's make an everlasting bond between Israel and each USYer. Let's make our cases for Israel.
"Jerusalem if I forget you, let my right had forget what it's supposed to do."
Matisyahu, Jerusalem
I could not have said it better myself. USY, join me this year in sending a spark of love for Israel throughout North America. Let us show people the real side of Israel and the culture that resides in our homeland. The best part about it is that because you're Jewish, you are a part of the culture. So what are you waiting for? The Country is there, the people are there, we're waiting for you.
B'ahava USY,
Louis Sacks
2009 USY Israel Affairs Vice President
(215) 421-0373 // israel@usy.org
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