Former Kansas Citian Jason Barnett is an officer in the Israel Defense Force. While his parents, Lori and Paul Barnett, were longtime supporters of Israel, it was only when Jason made aliyah that they realized their commitment needed to be deeper.
“We pray for peace, but we know that a well equipped Israeli Army is a deterrent,” said Paul Barnett.
He and his wife are not only Synagogue Ambassadors for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) to The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, but they agreed to chair the Israel Action Forum Host Committee.
“By supporting AIPAC, we are supporting Israel and our son and all the sons and daughters who are committed to Israel’s defense,” he added.
Noted Wall Street Journal columnist Bret Stephens and Baptist minister the Rev. Dee Dee Coleman will headline the annual event from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, at B’nai Jehudah.
“We really care about the future of Israel,” Barnett added. “Our visits there gave us a feeling of belonging; each time we returned, that feeling grew stronger. My service on the Federation’s Israel and Overseas committee was born out of a desire to serve the Jewish community. But until Jason told us he was making aliyah and joining the IDF, we had no idea how much our love for Israel influenced him.”
The Barnetts attended their first AIPAC Forum in 2011. “Promoting the partnership between our native country and our ancestral homeland seemed right,” Barnett said. “AIPAC helps preserve that partnership, just as strongly as Jason is committed to protecting Israel.”
When Ari Lubowicz was asked to take on a newly created role for AIPAC here, he, too, responded: “Yes!” Lubowicz will be the new ambassador chair, overseeing volunteers who work with temples and synagogues.
“My new role fits into what has become one of my passions,” Lubowicz explained. “My wife Marlene and I had debated attending AIPAC’s policy conference in D.C. After a rewarding weekend at last year’s K.C. forum, we decided to go. More than 13,000 people with different backgrounds and experiences congregated because of their support for the U.S.-Israel relationship. I am excited (about) continuing the good work of the K.C. leadership in bringing AIPAC and its mission to more people.”
Now in its fifth year, the AIPAC Israel Action Forum has been reformatted — with two major speakers, a streamlined program and a new cadre of volunteers.
Larry Nussbaum has served as K.C. Council chair, while John Isenberg and Bonnie Siegel chaired the forum since 2009. With Siegel now heading the K.C. AIPAC Council, Nussbaum serving as advisory chair, and Isenberg taking on donor development, Debbie Graham and Carol Katzman will oversee the forum.
Their team includes political co-chairs Miriam Glueck and Steve Graham and community outreach chairs the Rev. L. Henderson Bell and Larry King. Netta Krashin chairs community liaisons; Jeff Horen, public relations; Efi Kamara, Israeli outreach; Jonas Barrish and Ariella and Roy Ben-Aharon, young adults; Nathan Lipsky, college students; Hillel Goldstein, high school students and youth groups; Stan Zeldin, community agencies; and Michal Cahlon, Hyman Brand students. Lubowicz oversees Ambassadors Vic Bergman, Howard Ellis, Barry Kaseff, Brenda Rosenthal and the Barnetts.
Chairing the Saturday night Leadership Reception are Jenny Isenberg, Ronna Nussbaum and Kathi Rosenberg; both AIPAC guest speakers will be there. (The reception is open to all AIPAC Club members; to learn more, contact AIPAC’s K.C. Area Director Brad Fahlgren in the Chicago office at 312-253-8997 or email .)
Master Sergeant Jason Barnett just completed the IDF Command Course and is a paratrooper.
“We are so proud of Jason and (yet) we are concerned,” added Barnett. “When the U.S. supports Israel with defense funding, Lori and I are less worried knowing that Jason and his compatriots are well equipped.”
For more information or to register, call Tali Jubelirer in AIPAC’s Chicago office at 312-253-8984 or email . To register online, visit www.aipac.org/KCForum2012.