The United Synagogue

JFS and King Solomon Compete For Title of Ambassador

PRESS RELEASE

London,
16th November 2007


JFS AND KING SOLOMON COMPETE FOR TITLE OF AMBASSADOR

For the first time, TRIBE’s Ambassador competition, run in partnership with BICOM and JNF, will see students from JFS compete against King Solomon for the title of ‘Ambassadors’. For the past two months, over 100 students from the two schools have been competing in tasks designed to train them in Israel advocacy and 50 successful candidates have reached the competition’s semi final.

The students of the Ambassador Programme, which was created as a response to the rise in antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment on campuses in the UK, have met with and received expert advice from some of the UK’s leading journalists, politicians and Israel activists. These have included Hugh Doherty, News Editor of the Evening Standard during a tour of the Evening Standard & Daily Mail offices, and Adam Cannon, a lawyer for the Associated Press, who advised on the importance of writing a legally correct article. Lord Janner of Braunstone gave the students a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament and provided coaching in debating skills, delivery and presentation.

The budding politicians in the competition also met with The National Union of Students Vice President for Education, Wes Streeting, and representatives of Labour Friend of Israel and Conservative Friends of Israel as part of a challenge to build alliances to help them carry out Israel-focused campaigns on campus. Other tasks included a mock debate in the House of Lords, writing responses to a pro-academic boycott article and interviewing students outside UCL’s campus to assist in devising a campaign to dispel misconceptions of Israel.

All students who successfully reach the final stage of the competition will embark on a trip to Israel where they will meet with the heads of many large advocacy organisations, government officials and religious leaders.

Charlotte Klein, Programme and Leadership Director of Tribe commented: “The programme, which runs in partnership with BICOM and the JNF, provides students with critical information and training for tackling the ever increasing anti-Israel sentiment they are confronted with, often for the first time, on UK campuses.

“It is critical that students feel they have accurate information and awareness of the issues, and this year’s Ambassador programme, with so many excellent speakers and training, has enabled students to design high quality educational campaigns and feel confident in their Israel advocacy skills.”


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EDITORS’ NOTES: -

Photo- King Solomon students with leading Israel advocator, Neil Lazarus (centre)


TRIBE is part of the United Synagogue and works with the young people in the community. TRIBE helps its members feel part of the United Synagogue family by supporting and encouraging communities to run projects for their young people and by providing real benefits directly to its members. TRIBE is split into four age groups Kids, Teens, Campus and 20s+. Tribe is open to any Jew from the moment they are born until the age of 30. For further information on TRIBE, please visit www.tribeuk.com


For further information, please contact:

Nikki Ginsberg
The PR Office
Work: 020 7383 3623
Email: nginsberg@theproffice.com