Student Delegation
What We Do
Delegates represent the diversity of Israeli society, travel in small groups, and answer real questions from audiences on life in Israel. In April 2002, in the midst of the Palestinian Israeli Conflict and mass Medias talk about Israelis massacre of Palestinians in Jenine, we brought three young Israelis for a speaking tour in United States. All three completed their military service, spoke English very well, and jumped at the chance to show their love for their country and to tell others about "real" life in Israel: the part you don't see on the news. The three spoke in 20 campuses around the United States. The first Israel At Heart Israeli students speaking tour began in October 2002. The group was made of 48 students divided in groups of three. They traveled across the US to speak in colleges and university campuses, high schools, synagogues, churches, media outlets, political arenas, and many other venues. In April 2003, we sent another 48 Israeli students to United States and Canada for the second speaking tour. In October 2003, for our third speaking tour, we sent 30 students to Europe, US and Canada. In April 2004, for our fourth speaking tour, we sent 33 students to the US and our first delegation to South America. In April 2005, for our fifth speaking tour, we sent 38 Israeli Students to the US and Canada. In March 2006, we sent, for the first time, two groups of three to Australia: one group to Sydney & Perth and the second group to Melbourne and its surrounding areas. The responses we received about the delegations was overwhelming! Much to our surprise, a large number of the people our students met were curious and interested to meet Israelis and to learn about the country and its people they see so much on their TV. Our students answered questions concerning all aspects of life in Israel: food, music, TV, army, politics, their hobbies, their hopes, and their dreams for the future. We were pleased that our students had the opportunity to meet people face to face and clarify for them the many misconceptions they had about Israel.
Where We've Been
Highlights of places the students visited: USA: California, Oregon, Washington State, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C. Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. In Europe: Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, England, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Holland, Belgium, France, Switzerland, and Poland. In Canada: Montreal, Toronto, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Saskatoon, etc. In Australia: Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and it surrounding area.
Why It Matters
Breaks down media-driven misconceptions and builds lasting connections through personal stories. Much to our surprise, a large number of the people our students met were curious and interested to meet Israelis and to learn about the country and its people they see so much on their TV. Our students answered questions concerning all aspects of life in Israel: food, music, TV, army, politics, their hobbies, their hopes, and their dreams for the future. We were pleased that our students had the opportunity to meet people face to face and clarify for them the many misconceptions they had about Israel.