Nearly 200 American teens united in Dallas for Jewish National Fund-USA’s sold-out High School Summit at the organization’s Global Conference for Israel. With an engaging program and inspiring speakers, the summit taught students how to advocate for themselves and Israel while updating them on Israel’s resilience and rebuilding efforts.
Representing the Jewish community’s next generation of leaders, students heard from guest speakers, including Retired British Army Officer Col. Richard Kemp, Columbia University professor and activist Shai Davidai, and Jewish National Fund-USA CEO Russell F. Robinson, who called on the students to step up and be active in their communities.
“There is an investment that we at Jewish National Fund-USA have made in you,” said Robinson. “Because you are worth it. Because you are today and tomorrow. Because the greatest thing you can give to the Jewish community is your leadership. The world is full of followers, and you have an opportunity to lead.”
“I live somewhere where there aren’t many Jewish people,” said High School Summit board member Dahlia W. from Barrington, R.I. “So whenever I get these opportunities to be involved in places where I can meet like-minded people and share my ideas while hearing new perspectives from others makes me really excited.”
Students also heard from their peers and educators about Alexander Muss High School in Israel (Muss), Jewish National Fund-USA’s college-prep, study abroad in Israel experience. The teens learned how the program uses a unique experiential Israel-studies program to create a lasting bond between themselves and the land and people of Israel. For the many summit attendees who went on Muss, some even while Israel was at war, the stories brought back memories of their own time.
“Ever since I got back from Muss, my perspective on life has genuinely changed,” recounted Mia F., a Muss alum attending the summit. “It gave me the opportunity to make lifelong friends, many of whom are here today, and changed my aspirations. I feel more dedicated to give from myself to the Jewish world, and I want people like me to experience Muss.”
Teens also heard firsthand experiences from college campus leaders, learning how they can immediately become leaders wherever they attend university. Despite the current environment being incredibly hostile to students, the teens now feel more prepared to make a difference in the near future.
“I think it’s a really amazing experience,” said High School Summit board member Keenan S. from Kansas City, Kan. “I’ve gotten to meet people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. I love being able to put myself out there and hear other stories. It’s important for people to come to these conferences because getting to know other people’s life stories can improve you as a person, and sometimes, you can inspire them as well.”
For more information about Jewish National Fund-USA’s High School initiatives, visit: jnf.org/highschool.
