Today’s high school students are tomorrow’s Jewish leaders. They will be key in fighting the disturbing rise of anti-Semitism in the United States and around the world, including anti-Israel initiatives on their future college campuses. Unfortunately, Jewish students also currently report confronting anti-Semitism in Kansas City, and many feel ill-equipped to handle instances of anti-Semitism or anti-Israel rhetoric.
To help ensure that young Jews in Kansas City are informed, prepared and effective advocates for the Jewish people and for themselves, JCRB|AJC launched AJC’s Leaders for Tomorrow (LFT) program in Kansas City last fall.
LFT is AJC’s award-winning leadership development opportunity that trains young Jewish leaders to advocate on behalf of the Jewish people, Israel and human rights around the world. Graduates of LFT serve as positive change agents for their peers and community and enter college with the knowledge and confidence to engage in ongoing dialogue regarding anti-Semitism and Israel. They emerge equipped to enter into meaningful dialogue with those who have alternative points of view.
One parent from Kansas City’s inaugural cohort had this to say about her daughter’s experience:
“The program has been phenomenal. High level programs, great things to think about, solid ideas of how to approach subjects. It is high praise for my daughter to come back from the meetings and consistently say that she learned so much or that she ‘never thought about something in that way.’ ”
Graduates from the Kansas City cohort will stay engaged with AJC as they become part of an elite, nationwide network and are invited to participate in special alumni programming across the country. To learn more about LFT and its national scope, you can virtually join AJC CEO David Harris at 5 p.m. Central time, Thursday, July 9, as he hosts a special program with LFT alumni. Harris will discuss the most pressing issues confronting world Jewry today and how the LFT program makes a lasting impact. You can register for the event at ajc.org/GetToKnowLFT.
Beginning in the fall of 2020 in Kansas City, the LFT cohort will attend seven high-level, participatory sessions featuring local and national experts and facilitators. Sessions are held once a month on Sundays, and kosher meals will be provided. Students will learn about and discuss a variety of topics, including past and current Israeli affairs, challenges and opportunities facing global Jewry, understanding and combating anti-Semitism, and strategic advocacy and coalition building.
With such knowledge and training, LFT students will be invited to participate in LFT Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. in the spring of 2021. They will join LFT students from around the country to advocate on behalf of the Jewish people and Israel with senior government officials and policy experts.
JCRB|AJC is currently accepting applications from outstanding rising high school sophomores, juniors or seniors who are interested in Jewish advocacy for this year’s LFT program, beginning in the fall. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; however, we urge interested students to apply quickly, as the cohort is already half full. Participants will be selected based on their application and a phone interview. There is no cost to participate.
To apply for the 2020-2021 cohort, visit: www.ajc.org/lftinfo.
For questions, contact Sarah Markowitz, JCRB|AJC’s Education and Program associate, at .