It was a delight to attend the program by the JCRB|AJC, which featured Seffi Kogen, the global director of youth leadership for the AJC. He spoke about the challenges and opportunities for Jewish students and Jewish advocacy on campuses around the country. Although there were quite a few parents and teens at the event, we only wish that every family with college-age students attended.
What struck us as most important is that he did not just preach doom and gloom, rather he also focused on the positive events happening on college campuses for Jewish students. Not to say there is no anti-Semitism, but we were impressed at the work being done to bring about change in the messages that are currently being heard.
As he outlined the anti-Semitism of both the far right and the far left, he also stressed that it is an incredible time to be a Jewish student on college campuses today. Besides these anti-Semitic fringe groups, there are many more right- and left- wing groups, as well as others, that are pro-Israel.
Yes, students need to be prepared for what they might encounter. And they must understand that criticism of Israel is not wrong. What crosses the line is the chant to disenfranchise Israel as a state.
We are glad to know that our local AJC is soon to be part of the Global LFT program (Leaders for Tomorrow) that helps to empower our teens for global and national advocacy for Israel and the Jewish people.
Kol hakavod to the local AJC for bringing Seffi Kogen to Kansas.
Ellen and Jay Portnoy,
Overland Park, Kansas
