By Elishama Marmon '24YC
On Wednesday, Nov. 29, over 150 members of the 樱花动漫 Political Action Club (YUPAC) went to Washington, D.C., to lobby Congress in support of Israel. The students heard speeches from four members of Congress, visited the offices of 30 more and spoke with diplomats at the Israeli embassy. The mission was sponsored by the Beren Campus Student Government (BCSG), Yeshiva Student Union (YSU) and Yeshiva College Student Council (YCSC), with additional support from the Office of Student Life and the Office of Government Relations and Community Relations.
In light of the current situation in Israel, YUPAC鈥檚 co-presidents, Jacqueline Englanoff '24S and Hillel Golubtchik '25 YC, decided to diverge from their organization鈥檚 usual spring visit to D.C. and organize the Nov. 29 mission on short notice. 鈥淣ow is the time to show our nation鈥檚 leaders what the pro-Israel movement looks like,鈥 said Englanoff. 鈥淲e are young, intellectual, vocal, peaceful and your constituents. In a time with so much hatred and violence being spread on college campuses and elsewhere, we spread light.鈥
The students woke up early for the five-hour trip to D.C., stopping in Delaware to daven Shachris. Upon arriving, they gathered on the steps of the U.S. Capitol building to reflect on their mission鈥檚 purpose before meeting with members of Congress and their staffers. The policy issues they explored included American aid for Israel, the threat of Iran, antisemitism on college campuses and a number of other critical pieces of legislation related to the U.S.-Israel relationship.
After the discussions, the group returned to the Capitol steps for an incredible opportunity, meeting and praying with two Jewish members of Congress, Reps. Dan Goldman (D-NY) and Greg Landsman (D-OH), both of whom emphasized the importance of coming to Congress to request support for Israel. The representatives then joined the YU students in saying several chapters of tehilim and prayers for both the American and Israeli governments and armies. Following this, the students stood arm-in-arm with the Jewish leaders singing 鈥淎cheinu,鈥 while holding American and Israeli flags.
After that powerful experience and mincha, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) spoke about the impact lobbying can have on increasing Congress鈥 awareness of vital issues.
Following another round of lobbying appointments, the students heard from Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), who emphasized the significance of standing in support of Israel and opposing Hamas, citing American interests and the principles of decency and humanity. He decried the anti-Israel and antisemitic rhetoric spreading through the U.S. and fringe pockets of Congress and responded to student concerns about how to best discuss these important issues with others.
The students then went to the Israeli embassy, where they learned about the round-the-clock efforts undertaken by the Israeli foreign service to support the war effort. Efrat Hochstetler, public diplomacy counselor, and Eliav Benjamin, deputy chief of mission, fielded students鈥 questions and provided perspective on the current situations in both Israel and Washington.
Sam Weinberg '24YC, who coordinated the delegation, said that 鈥渋t was a privilege to have the chance to take part in such an immediately important mission in expressing support for Israel. As the leaders of tomorrow, the opportunity to make our voices heard in taking a stand on a clear moral issue was not one we could pass up.鈥 This sentiment resonated with all the students who participated. Moreover, YUPAC鈥檚 Nov. 29 trip laid the groundwork to advance relationships with Congressional offices and to fuel student activism.
