Hope in Ohio

As I travel and speak, it is clear to me that many Americans “get it.” They are far more sophisticated about issues than the liberal media give them credit for.

This weekend, I’ve spent time with some good people in Ohio, who come from Scottish Presbyterian stock. In my talks and in private conversations, I’ve discussed my experiences in Israel, and in pro-Israel work. I see enormous potential for educational opportunities.

A discussion with a recent law-school graduate illustrates this. He told me about four separate acts of anti-Semitism on the campus of the major university he attended, last year, and that led to a conversation about my friends at the America-Israel Friendship League. This is becoming a more and more popular subject in my travels, because it is so obvious that long-held biases and misunderstandings can give way to new and better understanding.

For example, when I explain how safe I feel in traveling to Israel, eyebrows raise and then people become excited and animated. The study tours to Israel that I’m helping coordinate for the AIFL are testament to that reality.

When the truth about Jews comes out, it’s like sunlight breaking into a forest clearing. All of a sudden, reality makes sense.

I discussed this weekend the efforts of people like Elaine Goldberg, who helps with the curriculum of the AIFL’s Youth Ambassador Student Exchange (YASE) program. This particular program introduces youth of different cultures to each other and serves to open the eyes of those who have been biased against Israel and Jews in general. Goldberg is excited about the opportunities before her, which began to coalesce in the late 1970s.

“I had been to Israel ten years earlier, when I was 16, and had a phenomenal time in that very special place. I knew helping others have a similar experience would be extraordinarily rewarding,” she said recently.

She retired in 2009, leaving her position as CEO of the New York City school system. The YASE program (you can read about it at www.aifl.org) has been “immensely gratifying” for Goldberg.

 “It was amazing watching American-Muslim students sitting on the bus with Jewish Israelis. They did homework together, and, after a session of heavy debating, the Muslim kids learned Israeli folkdances. They were all so happy and excited,” she says.

The kind of work these programs produce comes from a genuineness—I can tell you personally—on the part of Jews to not only give back to their communities, but to see an end to strife and misunderstandings, that can offer foster hate. Goldberg is fond of telling a story about a Muslim student from Tucson who traveled to Israel and stayed with a host family in Hakfar Hayarak, located on the coast, about three hours from Jerusalem. The young man had wanted to visit the Dome of the Rock, and was almost astonished when the family got in their car and drove him to the site.

The experience showed this young man that Israelis and Jews are very different from their frequent portrayals in media.

“The boy was so grateful. I am certain he will never forget that experience, and, more to the point, it will forever be hard for him to hate Israelis. Even if he may not agree with certain policies, he will not hate. The one-on-one relationships established by the YASE participants will last a lifetime,” said Mrs. Goldberg.

I can tell you that the same kinds of barriers are being torn-down between Jews and Christians. As a long-time supporter of Israel, I’m aware of long-standing stereotypes of Jews that Christians have held onto. But I am seeing real progress being made, whether through the work of AIFL, or through my aforementioned travels.

I discussed my experiences with the AIFL—in particular through my good friend (and AIFL director) Alex Grobman. And Kenneth Bialkin, chairman of AIFL, sees firsthand the effect of goodwill trips and interaction:

“We have learned that the exchange program has a transformational effect on the American and Israeli students which follows them for life. Besides the lasting friendships that are formed, the students return to their schools and later to universities where the seeds of knowledge and awareness flourish and influence those whom they encounter through life. Many of our program alumni recognize the profound impact the program has had in shaping their lives and continue to carry their experience with them in their professional careers. In doing so, they have remained connected and continue to play integral roles in the subsequent growth of the program,” he says.

My conversations this weekend with Christians in Ohio, who had not always heard positive things about Jews and Israel, convince me that the time is right to accelerate one-on-one conversations, church presentations, and study trips.

My new friend in Ohio, who identified himself as a liberal Democrat (not always a real supporter of Israel, or even with a real grasp of the issues surrounding the Arab-Israeli conflict), now says he sees things differently.

“This gives me much to think about,” he said as we parted.

I expect to see him again, and many more of you down the American highway.

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