Sarah Warshawsky will be participating in the MASA Career Israel program this spring. Currently Sarah works as the Director of Political Affairs for the Consulate General of Israel to Florida and Puerto Rico. Though Sarah grew up in a Jewish household, it was difficult to live the daily life of a Zionist growing up in a Texas community with a small Jewish population. Sarah had an awakening while attending college in Oklahoma where she was fortunate enough to participate in Middle Eastern political science courses taught by a guest Israeli professor. According to Sarah, “Israel has held a special place in my soul since I can remember. I have grown up all over this country and in unusual places for most Jews. Houston, Texas to Austin, Texas to school in Oklahoma, I know what it is like to not be of the majority. My solace was learning, studying and living Israel. I felt a sense of urgency, urgency to get up and move to Israel right away. I wanted to fight for Israel; I wanted to become a part of the majority.” Sarah hopes to use this experience of working and living in Israel to not only further her connection to the country on a personal level but also her future career as a U.S. politician or diplomat working to support Israel.

Read Sarah Warshawsky’s essay

Daniel Romero has had to overcome many adversities in his life.  Thus his application was especially inspiring to the members of the Helyn B, Reich Memorial Scholarship Fund committee.  A graduate of Berkeley Law of the University of California , Daniel will hold an intern position of Foreign Law Clerk with the Supreme Court of Israel while participating in the OU IFS Career Track of the Masa Career Israel Program next year.   Daniel believes that it was during an enlightening stay in Israel where his Zionism first came alive.  In his own words, it was on a trip to Sderot that “it became clear to me that this place, among many places, needed law and justice more than any place back home.  It also needs to be understood more than any other place in America.  For American Jews, this is especially the case and others in the Diaspora, as we are so necessarily tied to this place, and have a role to play in its development, through the ballot box and the foreign policy of our governments.  We have a share in its responsibility for justice and in furthering its development.”  Inspired by Theodor Herzl, Daniel hopes to make his year in Israel another step in realizing the Zionist vision for justice and peace both in Israel and for the Jewish people.

Read Daniel Romero’s essay

Zionism. It’s a word that evokes strong emotions, passion, and for many, confusion. It can take many different forms, and for people around the world, both Jews and non-Jews, it can be interpreted to mean different things. At its core, Zionism is Jewish nationalism. It is the belief that the Jewish people have a shared history, religious heritage, and language. Zionists, those who identify with the Jewish national movement, recognize Israel as the Jewish State, as an independent, sovereign nation which allows the Jewish people the right to self-determination.

Beyond these lofty shared principles, one finds a great deal of diversity within the Zionist movement. Individuals who identify themselves as Zionists span the spectrum of political leanings, religious affiliation, and personal background. They connect with Zionism in a variety of ways, either as a political movement or a cultural one that allows people around the world to identify with the language, culture, music, and discourse of the Jewish people. Zionism manifests itself in many ways, from the physical (those who choose to make aliyah and live in Israel), to the vocal (those who speak out about Zionism, educating others about the movement), to personal and subtle ways, which include speaking Hebrew, buying Israeli-made products, and taking a personal interest in the well-being of the State of Israel and the Israeli people.

The various forms that Zionism takes when expressed in ViZions of Zionism mirror the conversation about Zionism worldwide. They differ in their approaches, and sometimes even in their conclusions, but ultimately unite under the banner of Zionism, of pride in Jewish nationalism, and of affirmation of the connection that the Jewish people have to Israel.

To read the blog or to become a contributing blogger, please visit vizionsofzionism.org.

Join AZM at TribeFest for 2 exciting sessions!

Session 1

QUIZrael: Trivia and Pub Quiz
Sunday, March 25, 5:45-7:00PM

Did you know the first Zionist Congress took place in a casino? You’re not alone! Team up with friends for a fun trivia pub night event. Prizes up for grabs. Bonus: learn a bit about the history of Israel and Zionism (and a few fun Israel/Vegas facts). Click here to register your team in advance, or go stag and meet new friends.

Co-sponsored by JTA Archives

Session 2

Tzedek Hevrati! Israel’s Social Protests in the Global Context
Monday, March 26, 3:30-5:00PM

What do the Arab Spring, Occupy Movements, and Israeli Protests all have in common? Why were Israelis chanting Ha’am Doresh Tzedek Hevrati! meaning “The people demand social justice!” throughout the summer of 2011? How do the Israeli protests compare to the global protests movements that took shape throughout the year? Join us to investigate the parallels in the global protests movements and explore the unique aspects of Judaism and Zionism that encourage and support social justice.

Co-sponsored by JFNA and New Israel Fund

For more information about or to register for TribeFest, please visit http://www.tribefest.org.

For more information about AZM, please visit www.azm.org, or email vizion@azm.org.

Participatns and staff surround Natan Sharansky at Do The Write Thing

For three days, from November 6-8, twenty-seven college students and young professionals from across North America gathered at the General Assembly of United Jewish Federations of North America to discuss journalism, Israel, Zionism, and how to communicate their passions for each in an effective manner. The students were attending the 22^nd annual Do The Write Thing (DTWT) seminar, a leadership track held during the JFNA GA, sponsored by the American Zionist Movement and the World Zionist Organization. The attendees were selected from an applicant pool that included undergraduate student activists, young Zionist leaders, and aspiring journalists. The elite group assembled represented each of these groups, all of whom came together to participate in workshops, listen to speakers, and gain professional experience while enjoying the experience of attending the GA.

The Do The Write Thing curriculum is broad and varied. Sessions that participants attended included workshops on effective uses of social media, Zionist history and identity, and the ins and outs of reporting and interviewing. There were also special opportunities and unique experiences that participants were able to enjoy as a benefit of being a part of this unique leadership track. In addition to attending the mainstream GA plenary sessions and breakout sessions, Do The Write Thing participants had exclusive sessions with noted leaders in the Zionist community, including Chair of the Jewish Agency for Israel Natan Sharansky and Col.(res) Miri Eisin, the Israeli government’s spokesperson during the Second Lebanon War. Eisin was able to share her experiences working with the press as a representative of the State of Israel, and discussed the challenges that she faced making the case for Israel to the global media. She was also able to explain some of the intricacies that go into Israel’s media image, noting that the broad scope of Israeli public opinion is mirrored in the number of different, sometimes contradictory statements coming from different members of the Israeli government. While for many this confusion might be seen as a detriment, Eisin emphasized the beauty of Israeli diversity of thought and freedom of speech, allowing for such open dialogue and discourse.

Do The Write Thing participants were able to participate in dialogues themselves, discussing topics relating to Zionism, Jewish identity, and Israeli policy. Notably, young professional attendees had the opportunity to attend a cocktail party with Aluf Benn, the new editor-in-chief of Haaretz. After hearing him speak, they had the

Three of the Young Professionals at Do The Right Thing having some fun at the Aluf Benn reception

opportunity to meet with him and have their questions about the current state of affairs in Israel answered. This, coupled with the opportunity to hear Ambassadors Michael Oren and Dan Shapiro address the GA from the front row of a plenary session, served as highlights of the experience for many of the participants.

Do The Write Thing brought together a diverse group of activists and leaders. In addition to benefiting from the high quality of speakers brought in to address them and the networking opportunities provided, participants had the opportunity to learn from their peers, with more experienced writers mentoring emerging leaders in the field and open discussion about how to appropriately and effectively combine passions for writing and Israel. This discussion will take on immediate importance as participants return to their home communities and bring the skills that they learned to the field, by writing for local and community publications, as well as the ViZions of Zionism blog. The American Zionist Movement and the World Zionist Organization provided the attendees with an amazing opportunity to attend one of the key gatherings of North American Jews, the GA, and put together educational programming and training that made the experience one whose effects will assuredly reverberate long after the closing session.

Every year, the World Zionist Organization (WZO), together with the American Zionist Movement (AZM), brings elite Jewish journalism students and young professionals in North America to the Jewish Federation of North America's General Assembly for a conference within the conference aptly titled “Do the Write Thing” (DTWT). Participants are provided with the opportunity to interview high-ranking officials, hobnob with the who’s who of the Jewish world, and learn from seasoned journalism professionals. The young journalists are provided with all the necessary tools and connections to help further their careers in both the near and distant future.

The conversation ranged from technical discussions about the proper use of hashtags and linking, to insights on the impact that one can have as a player in the social media realm. Shai Franklin pointed out that in our increasingly digitalized world, social media is a live platform for dialogue and interaction. The members of ViZionPRO had the opportunity to pick up tips from Franklin, as well as each other, and came away with a greater grasp of the various social media tools and mechanisms available to them. Some of the ideas shared included timing ones Tweets, blog posts, and status updates in a manner tailored toward ones target audience, so as to ensure optimal viewing space in various news feeds, and thinking of Twitter as a form of a press release; a means by which to inform your followers of an event, article, or idea.

It’s clear that some of the messages shared were being taken to heart, as several participants utilized social media to Tweet about the event and share the discussion with their own social networks. Participants were also able to network with one another, and many lingered afterwards to continue the conversation.

Join us for an upcoming event! The next ViZionPRO Roundtable will be held in November. ViZionPRO will also be hosting a professional development workshop on December 7. For more information, email vizion@azm.org or visit the ViZion Professionals group on Facebook.

Shabbat yoga session (credit: JCC Kehilla)

With summer drawing to a close, nearly 200 young Jews in Chicago decided to take advantage of the beautiful Lake Michigan and Lincoln Park for Shabbat on the Lake.  Shabbat activities were designed to be inclusive, creative and most of all, engaging.

As the sun set over Chicago, participants were presented with a range of options for Shabbat services and activities.  Lincoln Park provided a beautiful, peaceful setting for Conservative and Orthodox services along with Shabbat inspired yoga and drumming.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the evening were Rabbinic- and young leadership- led text studies dealing with themes of Shabbat.  Rabbis spanning Chicago’s denominational spectrum donated their time and energy to provide thought provoking facilitation for Shabbat on the Lake.  Concepts ranging from tikkun olam to what makes a Jewish community unique to the laws of Shabbat were discussed by participants learning in chevruta.

Co-sponsors included JCC Kehilla, Birthright NEXT, Hadassah, Anshe Emet, Anshe Sholom B’nei Israel Congregation, Temple Emmanuel, and Temple Sholom. Shabbat on the Lake was a far reaching collaboration to present Chicago’s young community with a truly pluralistic and exciting Shabbat experience.  Many thanks are due to all of the volunteers and staff who made this event enjoyable and memorable

Over 30 individuals of all ages, various Jewish backgrounds, and strongly connected to the Zionist movement through activism or profession, gathered on May 17 in NYC for a dynamic and thought-provoking workshop, hosted by ViZionPRO.   Founded in 2008 under the name ViZion, ViZionPRO is a professional development group which creates programming geared towards professionals working in Jewish/Israel/Zionist related non-profits, and is a project of the American Zionist Movement (AZM).

The first of two annual interactive half-day workshops, the goal for this seminar was to provide attendees the opportunity to learn more about navigating the world of foundation funding and communicating effectively on behalf of a cause.

Dr. David Bryfman, Director of the New Center for Collaborative Leadership and Teen Engagement (of The Jewish Education Project), skillfully moderated the sessions.  David elaborated on how Zionism fits within the scope of an individual’s Jewish identity through group exercises.

During the first session, Mark Charendoff offered a greater understanding of Jewish foundations, the impact they have in the world of Jewish philanthropy and beyond, and the importance of relationship-building. Charendoff shared his experiences during his tenure as President of the Jewish Funders Network and now as president of the MSC Philanthropic Services and the Maimonides Fund. He emphasized the importance of developing personal relationships, saying that people do business with those they trust. “Money is not power. Making decisions about money is power.” And, people will be more inclined to use their power to your benefit if they know and trust you.

The seminar’s second session featured Micah Halpern, who extolled the importance of understanding the message of a cause in order to communicate it effectively. Halpern, a syndicated columnist and social and political commentator, led the group in an interactive activity where participants had to list the top five aspects of a leading Jewish cause. A major part of effective communication is to know your audience. “It is important to know when and how to change the context of your message so that it will be heard by those to whom you are speaking.” Micah echoed Mark’s sentiments by saying that it is easier to communicate your message to those who trust you.

Participants lingered at the conclusion of the workshop, reviewing topics that had come up, approaching the speakers, and networking with each other. Leora Kaufman, Chair of ViZionPro, encouraged everyone to attend future events such as one of ViZionPro’s signature Roundtables scheduled for July 12th and September 20th.

For more information about ViZionPro, contact vizionpro@azm.org or visit www.azm.org.

With Israeli music in the background and their Israeli snacks – Bamba, Bisli and Pesek Zman – teams of trivia champions were formed and the competition began. Pub Quiz cards with general trivia and special multimedia questions were handed out to participants. With their eyes glued to the screens, participants viewed eleven commercials borrowed from Israeli TV. Each commercial tells an Israeli story: from shared Army experiences to coffee culture, from the LGBT community to our Jewish heritage, each clip brought New York just a little closer to Tel Aviv. “The Pub Quiz concept was conceived as a way to bring some fun (and perhaps less known) parts of Israel to the American audience. What’s important is that people had fun and also learned something. Even some native Israelis in the room found the questions challenging” said Shlomo Schwartz, WZO Educational Shaliach, who is on the team that came up with the idea.

The winning team walked off with a meal for each team member at Hummus Place, and the second place team scooped up a large serving of gelato from Screme – New York’s Best Gelato, who sponsored the event and offered a free gelato upgrade to every participant who attended.

Sponsored by Dor Chadah and by ViZion, the Young Leadership Division of the American Zionist Movement, the Israeli Bar Night and Pub Quiz was one in a series of Israeli and Zionist themed cultural events. Stay tuned for more exciting things coming up. For more information please contact: vizion@azm.org.

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Join AZM Chicago and VIZion Chicago for Building Resiliency Among Israel’s Emergency Medical Responders: Reducing Secondary Traumatic Stress.

Monday, May 23 from 12pm-1pm

Adler School of Professional Psychology (17 N. Dearborn, Chicago)

Guests will need to check in at the front desk of Adler, located on the 15th floor of the building.

The event will be held in Room 16-118.

Guest Speakers: Dr. Uri Heller, Ph.D. and Talia Kurland, Psy.D. Student (and Dor Hemshech Young Adult Board Member)

Please bring a lunch; refreshments will be provided

Suggested $5 Donation

*Please RSVP to jwainer@azm.org or 847-677-5949 by Thursday, 5/19
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The goal of this lunchtime professional development seminar is to educate the community as to the development of a systemic psychosocial intervention program for Magen David Adom (MDA) volunteers and staff. We hope to engage in discussion and gain insight from community members before we move on to the next step in our research, creating and implementing the intervention program. The following information is a brief summary of the research so far:

Emergency medicine offers a hgih variability of situations for which medical responders must be prepared. Furthermore, the nature of emergency medicine leaves the first aid responder with little closure as to the outcome of the patients seen on a daily basis.

Israel’s emergency medical responders, Magen David Adom (MDA) has over 10,000 volunteers of which 4,000 are youth between the ages of 15-18 and 6,000 adult volunteers between the ages of 21-65. MDA is a highly respected organization in israeli culture, and many young volunteers remain active in the organization for life. In addition to those emergencies seen worldwide (i.s., heart attacks, car accidents, etc.), Israel’s emergency personnel must be prepared to enter situations, which have resulted in mass casualties and serious injuries that are the results of