December 25, 2003
30 Kislev, 5764
Jerusalem

1,000 Jewish Student Leaders from All Over the World to Meet in Jerusalem for Solidarity Summit with Israel

The students will be trained to combat anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment, which have increased on campuses during the past year

Almost 1,000 Jewish student leaders from all over the world will meet in Jerusalem for a Solidarity Summit with Israel from Monday until Wednesday (29-31 December) at the Teddy Hall of the Jerusalem International Convention Center.

The summit is organized by the Jewish Agency for Israel, Minister Natan Sharansky's Office for Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs, World Union of Jewish Students, Hillel-The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life and The Israel on Campus Coalition in cooperation with the Israeli Foreign Ministry and an array of organizations.

The opening ceremony will take place on Monday, December 29th, at 3:00PM at the amphitheatre on Givat Ram, Jerusalem, in the presence of Natan Sharansky, the Minister for Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs and Sallai Meridor, the Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel. The summit, which will last for 3 days, will concentrate on training students to combat anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment, which have increased on campuses during the past year. The summit will also highlight and recognize activities of Jewish students on behalf of Israel during the last few years.

The purpose of the summit is for student activists to discuss ways of strengthening their connection and involvement with Israel and the Jewish people and their responsibilities for the future. Prominent Israeli and Jewish leaders and educators will address the students. The students will participate in workshops and fieldtrips on the following subjects: the challenges facing the Jewish people, the struggle against anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment, strengthening Jewish identity, students and their community involvement, Israel advocacy, aliyah, relations with the non-Jewish world, marketing new programs for visiting Israel, educating about Israel on campus and more.

Monday, December 29^th 3:00PM: In solidarity with Israel the summit will open with a festive march (weather permitting) from the Givat Ram amphitheatre to the Jerusalem International Convention Center.

Tuesday, December 30^th 11:30AM: Students will visit 6 Jerusalem high schools where they will meet and talk with high school pupils on issues relating to Jewish unity. 
At 3:00PM: Students will visit the "seam line".

Wednesday, December 31^st 11:30AM: A major workshop will be held on the issue of the struggle against anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment where a mock anti-Israel demonstration on campus will be staged and ways to handle such situations will be played out and discussed. 
At 5:30PM: The summit will close with an address by the President of the State of Israel, Mr. Moshe Katsav.

During the summit the Jewish Agency will announce a worldwide competition among Jewish students that will deal with the subject "The Vision for Israel and The Jewish People". This will take place in the framework of activities to mark the 100^th anniversary of the passing of the visionary of the Jewish State Theodor Herzl. The participants in the competition will be invited to deal with the subject in the creative fields of writing, art, photography, theatre, film, music, dancing and others through a special website: www.jafi.org.il/education/. The winners will be invited to Israel this summer to present their works.

For further information contact:
Michael Jankelowitz
Liaison to Foreign Press
The Jewish Agency for Israel
Cell: 051-601706
e-mail: michaelj@jazo.org.il