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Dear Friends & Family, Colleagues, and Hasbara Fellowships Alumni,
The Second Intifada began during my sophomore year at university and the anti-Israel movement was gaining traction on college campuses throughout North America. Many Jewish students, myself included, found themselves not only unprepared to respond to the demonization of Israel, but also greatly undereducated about a place that most had never visited.
In the summer of 2002, I decided to take my second trip to Israel to participate in the recently launched Hasbara Fellowships program in Jerusalem. This amazing experience provided me with the opportunity to meet with leading experts and educators, government officials and the everyday citizen. We visited strategic borders to better understand Israel\'s military strategy and see, first-hand, the very real concerns for national security. Perhaps, the most meaningful part of the program for me was learning with the most passionate and dedicated group of Jewish student leaders that I had ever met. The lessons I learned on this trip are still with me today.
Over the past ten years, Hasbara Fellowships has led the way in providing North American college students with the tools and skillset to build a strong, thriving pro-Israel movement on their respective campuses. Their dedicated team of campus professionals provide on-the-ground mentoring and follow-up support, and the Hasbara Fellowships program alumni carry on their dedication and passion for Israel into adulthood. What Hasbara\'s team accomplishes each year in building the next generation of Israel activists is nothing short of inspiring.
When I was asked to be an Honoree in celebration of Hasbara Fellowships\' tenth anniversary, I was flattered. More importantly, I was excited to be given the opportunity to share this story with you and to do my part in raising awareness about the vital work of this amazing organization.
Please join me in supporting the work of Hasbara Fellowships by making a tax-deductible contribution today. No amount is too small, and each gift will make an impact! Doing so will ensure the next generation of amazing and talented pro-Israel student leaders have the tools to continue \"fighting the good fight\" on their campuses.
Thank you for your consideration,
Jay S. Feldman
Hasbara Fellowships, Summer 2002
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