Floridian students, who enjoy strong pro-Israel support from their community, attended CAMERA’s sixth annual Student Leadership and Advocacy Training Conference in August from five schools (Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University, University of Miami, University of Central Florida, and Florida State University). Campus Coordinator Tatiana Becker is looking forward to following up with these students as she embarks on her Florida campus tour this month!
Students from as far away as England, Scotland, Canada, and Israel traveled to the four-day event, where they equipped themselves with the necessary skills to respond effectively to anti-Israel activity and antisemitism on campus. Sadly, as referenced in this JNS.org piece covering our conference, campus antisemitism is at an all-time high, which drove up student demand for CAMERA’s student conference. Additional pieces on our conference include this piece from JNS.org, and two articles in The Jerusalem Post, which can be read here and here.
We were especially pleased with the overwhelmingly high level of positive feedback we received from students, both at the conference and in our follow-up survey.
A few highlights of the survey responses are below.
The conference attendees and staff all in one photo!
Left photo: International Campus Director Aviva Slomich with her UK students from Glasgow University, University College London, and King’s College London. Right photo: Campus Coordinator Hali Haber with her California students from UC Berkeley, UCLA, and California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo.
Student Impressions of the Conference
“In addition to learning how to combat flawed arguments and learning about the power of truth, the CAMERA on Campus conference connected me with likeminded students doing amazing things on their campuses. Thanks to CAMERA, I have a powerful network around the country– I look forward to planning a New York-wide event!” – Adela Cojab, Realize Israel at NYU
“The CAMERA training was engaging and very constructive. Every session and activity helped build up the skills I need to advocate for Israel on my college campus.” – Fellow Emily Firestone, BUSI at Boston University
“The conference was incredible. I loved meeting so many committed students who became family to me you while learning a tremendous amount about Israel and Zionism!” – Fellow Leora Eisenberg, Princeton University
“My time at the CAMERA conference was impactful, influential, and loads of fun. Culminating with the countless hours of Israel advocacy training I did throughout the summer in Israel, this conference helped fine tune how to advocate and learn about other organizations that can aid me in my pro-Israel journey. While there were numerous hours in sessions, the CAMERA conference also gave us the opportunity to see Boston and make friends both national and international.” – Jesse Slomowitz, Knights for Israel at the University of Central Florida
