CIE Hosts Teen Leadership Institute
CIE senior researcher Scott Abramson answered teens’ questions about the ongoing war in Israel.
Thirty-two Atlanta-area high-schoolers devoted a Sunday afternoon to building community and learning about issues from Israel’s history to the college campus situation through the Center for Israel Education’s Teen Israel Leadership Institute on Nov. 10.
The nonprofit CIE holds the in-person, one-day TILI program in Atlanta and other cities to enhance understanding of Jewish peoplehood, awareness of the crucial role of Israel in Jewish identity, and resilience amid rising antisemitism and anti-Israel demonstrations.
“The students left more confident in their Jewish identity and knowledge of Israel and better equipped to combat misinformation and hate,” said Debbie Sasson, CIE’s teen program manager.
Similar to an upcoming three-part CIE discussion series for adults in December, the teen program unfolded the story of the Jewish people and Israel by examining the past, the present and the future.
CIE President Ken Stein laid the foundations for the afternoon by exploring when to begin Israel’s story and the potential biases involved in starting in 1967, 1948, 1939, 1917 or even 1882 rather than ancient times.
Stein and CIE senior researcher Scott Abramson answered teens’ questions about the current war, and Abramson helped the students explore problematic terms such as apartheid and genocide and phrases such as “free Palestine” and “from the river to the sea.”
Half the teens engaged in a discussion with Sasson about the antisemitism underlying anti-Zionism, while the others talked with CIE communications consultant Michael Jacobs about news coverage of Israel.
The program culminated with a panel of college students addressing the problems and opportunities they experience on campus, along with advice about choosing a university and making the most of the college years.
Showing their awareness and concern about the latest Jewish news, participants spoke throughout the afternoon about the pogrom three days earlier in Amsterdam.
Comments from participants after the program included:
• “My experience today reinforced my commitment to learning about and gaining more tools to fight for Israel.”
• “I now have a better understanding of how to navigate the current situation and what I can do to advocate for Israel and Jewish people.”
• “I think this was a very special experience, and, although I feel I am knowledgeable and educated on some of these topics, the program really cemented the ideas and values that I associate with my Jewish identity.”
• “It was amazing seeing all these people who came here dedicated to teach, help and support teenagers like me about everything Jews and Israelis are facing. … I am glad this is how I spent my Sunday.”
• “I plan on using this knowledge to become more active in trying to learn and understand Israel especially in the context of war and other subjects.”
Although factors such as illness affected the number of teens able to attend, more than 40 teens representing 20 high schools, including homeschool, at least 10 synagogues, seven youth groups, and seven summer camps registered for the program at CIE’s offices. A significant number of the participants came from the Tzofim (Israel Scouts).
The teens’ reasons for attending included learning about the war, understanding and combatting the rise of antisemitism, and engaging with like-minded Jewish peers.
“According to student feedback, the diversity in the room was a highlight,” Sasson said, “and meeting other Jewish teens made the experience even more exciting.”
Founded in 2008 and based in Atlanta, CIE has held in-person and online teen programs since 2018. Programs early in 2025 are planned for Raleigh, N.C., and Charleston, S.C., in cooperation with local Jewish organizations. To bring TILI to your town, visit israeled.org/teens to learn more, and contact Sasson at debbie.sasson@israeled.org.
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