TO RESERVE A SEAT, PLEASE EMAIL ZOE JICK at zoej @ wzo.org.il
Space is limited.
ViZionYLD Discusses Media Portrayal of Israel
How do the media portray Israel? On February 7, ViZion YLD, the Young Leadership of the American Zionist Movement, set to find out. At an intimate dinner sponsored by AZM, Aryeh Green, Director of MediaCentral, led a provocative discussion about the challenges the region faces today and what we can to do improve Israel’s image. Green is a frequent speaker on Israel, media issues, human rights in the Middle East and current affairs.
Sometimes, Green said, it’s not about advocacy but simply about honest and accurate reporting. He went on to add that it’s our responsibility to demand honest journalism from our main news sources and that we have the power to influence production. At the Q&A session, attendees explored the most credible news sources, why the media inaccurately reports, and the repercussions of those inaccuracies.
Of course, everyone left wanting more discussion…and more falafel!
To get more involved in ViZionYLD, please follow us on facebook: www.facebook.com/vizionyld
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- Sarah Oren and Michael Brasly listen to a question during the Q&A.
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- Allison Drieves takes notes.
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- Aryeh Green leads the discussion about the challenges Israel faces in the media.
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- ViZionYLD attendees discuss how Israel is portrayed in the media.
Top Chef Chanukah: Chicago Sizzles
On December 10, ViZion Chicago, the American Zionist Movement’s Young Leadership division in Chicago, partnered with Temple Sholom’s 20’s and 30’s group to present Top Chef Chanukah. Two teams, the McAbees and the Oilers, competed to cook the most delicious latke this side of the Atlantic. Well known for their expertise in food and Jewish holidays, Rabbi Shoshana Conover, Temple Sholom’s assistant rabbi; Bryan Gryka; chef at Milt’s BBQ for the Perplexed; and Guy Hollingsworth, President of AZM Chicago, judged the latke entries.
Teams were provided with the secret ingredients zucchini, sugar, and cayenne pepper, and they wasted no time being creative in their recipes. Though the McAbees impressed everyone with their latkes topped with crème fraiche, sautéed onions, and balsamic vinegar, the Oilers won over the judges with their Shnitke, a combination of schnitzel and latke, and their menorah-shaped latkes. Winners received a gift certificate to new, local kosher restaurant Milt’s BBQ for the Perplexed and the runners-up received free entry to the December 14 Shabbaton in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago.
Next month, ViZion Chicago hosts stand-up comedian Joel Chasnoff as he discusses the many sides of Zionism. And keep an eye out for an upcoming film series! Click here for more information.
AZM Shabbat Dinner on Long Island
On October 19, 2012, ViZionYLD, the young leadership division of the American Zionist Movement, sponsored a unique Shabbat dinner for 18 young professionals at a private home. The meal, hosted by the Associate Director of Young Leadership, was located on Long Island to provide new opportunities to local Jewish young professionals who live outside Manhattan. Attendees came from all over the Tri-State area, attracted by the intimate setting and the learning opportunities. Annie, a native Long Islander, was glad she could attend a Shabbat meal near her home and not worry about traveling to Manhattan.
The dinner featured Shabbat traditions as well as networking and a structured discussion about Zionism. Participants exchanged views on what Zionism means to a young generation as well as related recent events in the Israeli news to the perception of Zionism. “Zionism gives my generation the opportunity to be the future dreamers and achievers of Israel,” said Alli, a ViZionYLD board member.
We thank all our guests for joining us and look forward to seeing you soon!
To get more involved with ViZion, please “like” us on facebook at www.facebook.com/ViZionYLD
Seeds of a State: A Staged Reading of Zionist Texts
Seeds of a State: A Staged Reading of Zionist Texts
Since you probably missed it the first time….
Join AZM Chicago for a Zionist Congress redux
Sunday, August 19 | Temple Emanuel*
6:30 PM| $12 in advance/$15 at the door
*Temple Emanuel, 5959 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, Illinois
Parking Available at the Temple Parking Lot
ViZionYLD’s First Intimate Shabbat Dinner a Success!
On Friday, May 18th, ViZionYLD (AZM’s Young Leadership Division) co-sponsored a very successful, intimate Zionist Shabbat dinner with B’nai B’rith International. The 18 young professionals who attended agreed that the ability to have a meaningful Shabbat discussion about social justice and Zionism in such a small group made the evening a truly unique one.
“I truly believe that even after we possess our land, the land of Israel, Zionism will not cease to be an ideal. For Zionism as I understand it includes not only the yearning for a plot of promised land according to law for our weary people, but also the yearning for ethical and spiritual fulfillment.” –Theodore Herzl
After conversing about this quote, guests recognized what it means for young leaders to be the modern version of the “chalutzim”; nurturing advocating, dreaming, and achieving.
We thank all our guests for joining us for such a lovely evening, and look forward to our next Shabbat dinner.
“Israel in the Write Light” Leaves Audience Wanting More!
On May 21st, AZM sponsored a program targeted to young professionals interested in advocacy and communications in New York City. Entitled Israel in the Write Light, it featured some of the field’s outstanding younger practitioners who spoke about their craft and the Zionist context of their writing, blogging and tweeting. The program was moderated by David Bryfman who kept the audience as well as the speakers on their toes with his provocative questions and challenges.
The guest blogger was “ElderofZiyon,” well-known by his nom de plume in the blogosphere but rarely seen in public. “Elder” is perhaps the most quoted blogger in the area of Middle East politics, and he used his time well to help the hopefuls in the audience think about how to be most effective in their work on behalf of Israel. Joining him were Bari Weiss, a senior editor at Tablet Magazine and Noah Pollak , a young political activist with an enviable Twitter following.
The event was truly remarkable and memorable for all who attended!
AZM Returns From TribeFest With Over 1500 Attendees!
AZM RETURNS FROM TRIBEFEST!
This year, AZM was fortunate to have the opportunity to be a partner organization of TribeFest, Jewish Federation of North America’s gathering of over 1,500 Jewish young adults from around the US. Taking place in Las Vegas, Sunday, March 25- Tuesday, March 27, participants came together to explore and celebrate Judaism through the lens of politics, entertainment, art, music, and of course, Zionism.
AZM led two exciting breakout sessions at TribeFest!
On Sunday, over 100 attendees participated in our first session, QUIZrael, a panoply style event requiring members of teams to work both together and individually to come out on top and win great prizes! Obviously, the most important part for the participants was, of course, the chance to snack on Bissli, Bamba, and assorted Israeli chocolates! But, the content of the quiz was focused on Israel and Zionism. From an Israeli logo challenge, to Sudoku, teamwork was put to the test! Did you know the first Zionist Congress took place in a casino? Well, our participants do now!
Co-sponsored by JTA Archives, and prizes were provided by Jdeal LA.
Tzedek Hevrati! Israel’s Social Protests in the Global Context was a powerful session taking place Monday afternoon. Following the morning’s community service project organized by TribeFest, the 40 session participants were eager to investigate and discuss the parallels in the global protests movements — Israel’s Social Protest, the Arab Spring, and the Occupy Movement — and explore the unique aspects of Judaism and Zionism that encourages and supports social justice. Stav Shaffir, one of the leaders of Israel’s J14 social protest movement, spoke about her personal experiences. Stav’s introduction was followed by facilitated roundtable discussions addressing the major issues contributing to the various protest movements, as well as their global impacts.
Co-sponsored by Jewish Federations of North America and New Israel Fund.
Two Outstanding Young People Win Reich Scholarships
The American Zionist Movement announced the winners of the Spring 2012 Helyn B Reich Memorial Scholarship Fund Awards at the end of January. Both winners were outstanding candidates, who exemplify the kind of drive and passion the committee looks for in its scholarship recipients.
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.
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.
What Are Your “ViZions of Zionism”? Join the Conversation!
Expressing views of Zionism and feelings about Israel through writing is a way for us to convey our diverse opinions about Zionism to a broad audience. ViZions of Zionism is exemplary of both the breadth and the depth of Zionism, with contributors from all points on the spectrum of Zionist thought. You can expect to see posts that espouse seemingly divergent opinions about Zionism. This is not a contradiction, but rather another example of the wide range of Zionist opinions and beliefs.
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.
Ohad Knoller, Karmit Arbel
