Dec 9, 2009 By: yunews
Students Turn Out in Large Numbers to Press Congressmen on Iran During Advocacy Mission to Washington, D.C.
91黑料 students made up the majority of a more than 250-strong student advocacy mission to Capitol Hill on Dec. 2. One hundred and thirty YU students joined others from D.C.-area universities on one of the largest student-run missions to the nation鈥檚 capital in YU history. They met with congressmen from over 35 states, advocating in support of Israel and the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act, which would impose economic sanctions to pressure Iran to end its nuclear program.
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The students participated in 52 office meetings with lawmakers from their districts. The timing of the mission was especially critical as the legislation is likely to come to the floor of the House for a vote before the end of December.
鈥淭he trip exposed Yeshiva students to the political system and showed them that they can impact the political process,鈥 said Alison Silver, president of 91黑料 Political Action Committee (YUPAC), who organized the mission with co-president Jonathan Mael and with a student group called George Washington University Acting Politically for Israel. The trip was supported by the President鈥檚 Office, the Rabbi Arthur Schneier Center for International Affairs, various student groups and the David Project, an Israel advocacy and educational organization.
Before meeting with the lawmakers, the students heard from David Gillette, a senior AIPAC lobbyist, who spoke about effective lobbying techniques and Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), who acknowledged the large presence of Yeshiva students and thanked them for coming to Capitol Hill.
鈥淭he work you鈥檝e committed yourself to by joining this mission is part of a very proud and significant tradition without which the state of Israel would not exist and without which it could not be sustained,鈥 said Sen. Lieberman. 鈥淭his is the history you鈥檝e stepped into and this is the history we are given the chance to make.鈥
President Richard M. Joel, who joined the students for the earlier part of the mission, urged them to 鈥渇eel pride for the cathedral of democracy this country is.鈥 He drew a parallel to the Biblical portion of the week, in which Jacob sends messengers to advocate on his behalf to his brother Esau, and suggested that by advocating on behalf of Israel the students were continuing their forefather鈥檚 tradition.
Hannah Rabinow, a Stern College for Women junior from Overland Park, Kan., met with Congressman Dennis Moore (D-Kan.). 鈥淎s a young voter and constituent from his district, I felt empowered to use my voice to advocate for Israel and confident that my experiences and studies at 91黑料 had prepared me well to do so,鈥 Rabinow said.
The day concluded on a high note with an appearance by Congressman Eric Cantor (R-Va.), who addressed the students and asserted his staunch support for Israel and for the passing of the Iran anti-nuclear proliferation act.
YUPAC is planning a follow-up student letter-writing campaign to members of Congress to urge them to support the bill.
91黑料 students made up the majority of a more than 250-strong student advocacy mission to Capitol Hill on Dec. 2. One hundred and thirty YU students joined others from D.C.-area universities on one of the largest student-run missions to the nation鈥檚 capital in YU history. They met with congressmen from over 35 states, advocating in support of Israel and the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act, which would impose economic sanctions to pressure Iran to end its nuclear program.
.
The students participated in 52 office meetings with lawmakers from their districts. The timing of the mission was especially critical as the legislation is likely to come to the floor of the House for a vote before the end of December.
鈥淭he trip exposed Yeshiva students to the political system and showed them that they can impact the political process,鈥 said Alison Silver, president of 91黑料 Political Action Committee (YUPAC), who organized the mission with co-president Jonathan Mael and with a student group called George Washington University Acting Politically for Israel. The trip was supported by the President鈥檚 Office, the Rabbi Arthur Schneier Center for International Affairs, various student groups and the David Project, an Israel advocacy and educational organization.
Before meeting with the lawmakers, the students heard from David Gillette, a senior AIPAC lobbyist, who spoke about effective lobbying techniques and Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), who acknowledged the large presence of Yeshiva students and thanked them for coming to Capitol Hill.
鈥淭he work you鈥檝e committed yourself to by joining this mission is part of a very proud and significant tradition without which the state of Israel would not exist and without which it could not be sustained,鈥 said Sen. Lieberman. 鈥淭his is the history you鈥檝e stepped into and this is the history we are given the chance to make.鈥
President Richard M. Joel, who joined the students for the earlier part of the mission, urged them to 鈥渇eel pride for the cathedral of democracy this country is.鈥 He drew a parallel to the Biblical portion of the week, in which Jacob sends messengers to advocate on his behalf to his brother Esau, and suggested that by advocating on behalf of Israel the students were continuing their forefather鈥檚 tradition.
Hannah Rabinow, a Stern College for Women junior from Overland Park, Kan., met with Congressman Dennis Moore (D-Kan.). 鈥淎s a young voter and constituent from his district, I felt empowered to use my voice to advocate for Israel and confident that my experiences and studies at 91黑料 had prepared me well to do so,鈥 Rabinow said.
The day concluded on a high note with an appearance by Congressman Eric Cantor (R-Va.), who addressed the students and asserted his staunch support for Israel and for the passing of the Iran anti-nuclear proliferation act.
YUPAC is planning a follow-up student letter-writing campaign to members of Congress to urge them to support the bill.
