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StandWithUs taps four for programs

StandWithUs has announced its Internship trains juniors and seniors,
2021-22 Kenneth Leventhal High who identify their school’s education-
School Interns and Emerson Fellows, al needs when it comes to Israel and
which include three high school and anti-Semitism and receive the tools to
one college student in Oregon. meet those needs.
The local Leventhal Interns are Benja- Mazzi says she joined the internship
min Rosenfeld, a junior at Catlin Gabel; to “strengthen my abilities and have the
Mazzi Katzen, a senior at Lakeridge proper knowledge and resources to ed-
High School; and Suretta Plawner, a ucate and help guide my community on
senior at St. Mary’s Academy. Israel and to address anti-Semitism.”
University of Oregon sophomore Through the internship, Suretta aims
Rayna Davis is the Emerson Fellow. to “develop a more articulate under-
This year, 150 students were select- standing of Israel and its relationships
ed in each program from 150 schools with surrounding countries.” At its
throughout North America. In August, conclusion, she “hopes to feel more
both programs completed their respec- prepared to face certain challenges on
tive virtual conferences, and students a college campus.”
Before school began this week, Portland Jewish walked away energized to begin edu- When Benjamin first visited Israel with
Academy third- and fourth-grade teaching teams met cating about Israel and combating an- his family, he came away with a deep
to “pass the baton.” ti-Semitism at their schools. appreciation for its culture. “I learned a
At the conference, students learned great deal about Judaism and the history
Day schools bring how to identify and combat anti-Israel of Israel,” he says. “Back in Portland, I
students back campaigns. They explored the history became more aware of the anti-Israel
of Israel and reviewed the complex-
and anti-Semitic rhetoric. I knew the
into classrooms ities of the Israeli-Palestinian con- internship would be perfect, because
flict. They also met with their regional it would help me improve my Israel
coordinators. Aviv Attia continues knowledge, teach others in my commu-
as the StandWithUs Northwest high nity and combat anti-Semitism.”
Portland’s three Jewish day schools began class- school speaker and Matthew Levin Founded in 2007, the StandWithUs
es this week. At Portland Jewish Academy, early stays on as the Northwest senior cam- Emerson Fellowship is a prestigious
childhood began on Monday and the day school on pus coordinator. one-year program that trains, educates
Tuesday. Preschoolers also began the year on Mon- “I am thrilled that we’ve grown to and empowers pro-Israel student lead-
day at Maayan Torah Day School with the rest of having three Leventhal Interns in Port- ers on campuses.
the students arriving Tuesday. All students began the land,” says SWU Northwest Executive After transferring to a public school
year on Tuesday at Maimonides Jewish Day School. Director Randy Kessler. “Students from a Jewish day school, Rayna ex-
With each week in September having at least were drawn to join the programs be- perienced much anti-Semitism. “I
one holiday, starting at the end of August gave the cause they wanted to learn more about hated the feeling of being isolated or
schools a few days to get students settled. Israel; but now, the rise of anti-Semi- attacked for being proud of who I was
All three schools will close in September for the tism in their schools and communities and for sticking up for my homeland,”
following holidays: Sept. 6 Labor Day, Sept. 7-8 has become a motivating factor. Ben, she says. Rayna joined the fellowship,
Rosh Hashanah, Sept. 16 Yom Kippur, Sept. 21-22 Mazzi and Suretta, together with Ray- “with the hope of educating others
Sukkot (first two days), and Sept. 28-29 Shmini na, are exceptional young leaders. I about Israel and anti-Semitism, there-
Atzeret/Simchat Torah, with Maayan also closed can’t wait to see what kind of creative by making a difference in the way
Sept. 27. programs they bring to their schools, people feel about Israel and the Jewish
All three schools plan full in-person learning this synagogues and the broader Portland people. This has always been a huge
year. and Eugene communities.” passion for me, and I felt the fellow-
“But we have technology set up for students if they Created in 2012, the StandWithUs ship was a perfect opportunity to grow,
had to be out for an extended period of time or if Kenneth Leventhal High School learn and make a difference.”
we needed to go remote,” says Maayan Principal
Rabbi Yerachmiel Kalter.
“We are of course concerned for the health and
well-being of our students,” says Maimonides Prin-
cipal Karen DeNardo. “During these uncertain times
when most of them are not able to get vaccinated, we
will do all that we can to keep them at school and
learning.”
Rabbi Kalter adds, “As the Delta variant surges and
seems to keep on gaining steam, we are concerned.
Additionally, it does seem to be affecting children
at a greater level than last year. The good news is
we are a fairly small cohort of families dedicated to
making this work. Additionally, all our staff has been
vaccinated and have put in place many safety pre-
cautions. We are monitoring all developments and Clockwise from top left: Mazzi Katzen, Suretta Plawner, Rayna Davis, Ben Ros-
are cautiously optimistic at this time.” enfeld and SWU Northwest high school speaker Aviv Attia.
Jewish Review Sept. 1, 2021 9