By Itzhak Rabihiya
President Rivlin hosted on Thursday 2 January representatives of the World Union of Jewish Students, the umbrella organization for Jewish students in some 55 countries around the world so that Jewish students in the world are connected, represented, and empowered to create strong and dynamic national and regional unions. The representatives are in Israel for the WUJS Congress.
During the meeting, two student representatives – Anders and Kayla – spoke about their activity with WUJS:
* Anders was born in Chile and said that from a young age he was very involved in the Jewish community and Jewish youth movements. A few years ago, he came to Israel to volunteer in the IDF and served as a commander in the Nachal infantry brigade during Operation Protective Edge. After he was released, he returned to Chile and helped establish FeJJLA, the youth federation, in response to threats and legal action against the Jewish community from Palestinians. Currently he serves as founder and president of the Latin American Union of Jewish Students.
* Kayla was born in South Africa in a religious family. She serves as the National Treasurer of SAUJS, the South African Union of Jewish Students. Kayla said that this was the only body in Africa that represents and empowers Jewish young people and whose mission is to protect Jewish life and Israel on campus. “Over the last year, we have been forced to protect our students from BDS activists on campus and to lead many campaigns against antisemitism and on behalf of Israel,” she said.
"Friends, it is a pleasure to welcome you to Jerusalem and to the President’s House, which is a home for the entire Jewish People. Thank you for 95 years of working to support Jewish student life. I deeply appreciate your dedication to strengthening Jewish identity,” said the president at the beginning of his remarks, welcoming the students to Israel. “Next month, I will host a gathering of world leaders at Yad Vashem, on the occasion of the seventy-fifth (75th) anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. This gathering will serve as an important opportunity to discuss the need to preserve the memory of the Holocaust, and to combat rising antisemitism. As the number of Holocaust survivors declines, we must find new ways to pass on the lessons of the Holocaust to the next generation.”
The president noted the need to be be absolutely clear on the question opposition to all forms of racism and antisemitism. Including those that claim to support Israel. “One cannot hate Jews and love Israel, just as one cannot hate Israel and love Jews,” he said. “There can be no compromise on this position. As young leaders you are on the frontline in facing antisemitism, and I know that it is not always easy to express your identity or support Israel on campus. Even wearing Kippah, or a Magen David can be dangerous sometimes. And you are on the frontline in fighting BDS campaigns on campus, which seek to harm Israel, and to distance young Jews from Israel. Thank for all that you do for us.”
“As we face the challenges from without, we must also meet the challenges from within,” he continued. “I know that there is also an urgent need to strengthen the relationship between Israel and the global Jewish community. We must engage in an open dialogue on all of the issues between us, while always remembering that we are not just partners, but family. One family. That is why I am supporting initiatives which send young Israeli opinion-makers to learn about Diaspora communities, as well as initiatives in the field of Tikkun Olam, where Jewish leaders from Israel and around the world, work in developing countries, for the benefit of all.” At the end of his remarks, the president wished the participants a successful congress, saying, “Thank you again for all that you do, to empower young Jewish leaders, and strengthen the bonds between us. God Bless You.”
Attached photo credit: Mark Neyman (GPO)
