ASF Looks Ahead to Exciting Programs – Jan 2012

Jerusalem Symposium, January 22, 2012
The 2012 symposium will provide a unique opportunity for young adults spending time in Israel to learn about and debate Zionism’s enduring relevance in the very state it helped to create. During the symposium, taking place this year at Hadassah College in Jerusalem, participants will confront tough questions such as, “Is Zionism relevant in our time?” and “Why be a Zionist today?” The program will include break out sessions led by academic, professional and organizational experts. Attendants can choose from a list of sessions such as, “Contemporary expressions of Innovation: A new form of Zionism” and “Who do we include in the Zionist tent? Being Zionist and critiquing Israel.” The design of the Symposium will ultimately challenge participants on both a philosophicaland a practical level by hearing various accounts of the state of Zionism in the 21st century and explore contemporary expressions of Zionism.

Avi Shabbat – Early February 2012
This year around the time of Avi’s yarhzeit, we again ask you to join the effort begun in 2011 to mark the anniversary of Avi’s passing with programming that focuses attention on the local campus environment. For synagogues: we suggest that you invite a student or professor and student into your community to speak from the pulpit about what is going on at the local campus. Become informed and help support the efforts of the campus community to create more civil and nuanced discussions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For Hillels: This year ASF has made mini grants available through International Hillel. These grants are intended to allow Hillels observing the Avi Shabbat to invite Muslim students to discuss how one person can make a difference and explore the commonalities of being a minority on campus. Last year over 80 campuses participated and we hope to see the numbers increase this year.

Ivy League Intercollegiate Leadership Colloquium
February 17 -19, 2012 at Brown University
The Leadership Colloquium will draw from the various Ivy League institutions to create a unique group of student leaders committed to furthering a civil and nuanced discussion on their respective campuses. This colloquium will help to educate, support and empower these students to be forces for positive change in their college communities and create a model for the discussion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on North American campuses. During the course of this three day-seminar, participants will engage with leading academics and policy makers, all prominent voices in various aspects of the conflict, and work together to create action plans for making meaningful change on their respective campuses. The Colloquium will foster a safe environment for students from diverse ethnic, religious, and ideological backgrounds allowing them space to forge meaningful relationships with one another.

Avi Inspires Fellowship Pilot Program
Through a pilot study this year at Harvard and Columbia, the fellows will promote nuanced and open discussion about Israel, demonstrate effective leadership qualities, and facilitate constructive dialogue in order to be strong voices for Israel and for peace on North American college campuses. The Fund will pilot the Avi Fellowship during the current academic year (2011-2012).

ASF Board Development
ASF Board holds inaugural meeting to provide oversight and increased structure to build a stronger foundation for the future development of the Avi Schaefer Fund. Individuals with broad experience in the Jewish and general communities as well as the non-profit world join the Gross Schaefer family as members of the board. The members are Julie Kellner, Rick Barton, Deborah Naish and
Arthur’s brother Jim Schaefer.