A few years ago, Liad, 27, from Mazkeret Batya, a small town in central Israel, served as a Jewish Agency Summer Camp Shlichah (Israeli emissary) at a Jewish camp in North America. She loved the experience so much that she knew she wanted to go live abroad and contribute in a similar way when she graduated from college in Israel, leading her to become a Campus Israel Fellow beginning in the fall of 2023.
Every year, The Jewish Agency, in partnership with Hillel, brings Israeli young adults who have completed their IDF army service and university to college campuses worldwide to serve as Israel Fellows. These Fellows help substitute education for ignorance when it comes to student opinions about Israel, creating safe spaces for tolerance and diversity, and give students a chance to develop lasting connections with an Israeli. They also help support student efforts to counter antisemitism on campus.
Now in her second year as an Israel Fellow at a university in Pennsylvania, Liad is busy helping to educate and engage students about Israel, assisting students in learning Hebrew informally, planning events and more. Especially after October 7, when Jewish students faced increased antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment, Liad has worked with Hillel staff to ensure Jewish students can safely express themselves, participate in Jewish life, and engage in Israel-related activities without fear.
“Israel Fellows play a crucial role in connecting students to Israel, especially in times of crisis like after October 7. We create a strong sense of community and belonging, ensuring students feel they have someone who truly understands and supports them,” explained Liad. “By fostering these relationships, we provide a home away from home, where students can express their concerns, explore their identity, and feel connected to Israel on a personal and emotional level. We create meaningful bonds so students know they are not alone, and they feel empowered to be active and proud of their Jewish identity, even in the face of adversity.”
For Liad, being away from Israel in the wake of the devastating October 7 attacks was incredibly challenging. But she found an amazing sense of community on campus school that helped her cope and strengthened her commitment to advocating for Israel and making sure every student felt they had a place where they were understood and could find comfort.
“After October 7th, I took on a role almost like a big sister to many Jewish students, offering a listening ear and support during an incredibly tough time as many were dealing with anxiety, fear and confusion about what was happening in Israel,” Liad shared. “But beyond emotional support, I also encouraged them to take action and advocate for Israel. Whether it was through organizing tabling events on campus or encouraging them to speak up and share their stories, I wanted them to feel empowered to be loud and proud in their support of Israel and to channel their emotions into something positive, creating a strong, united presence on campus.”
Liad specifically has been engaging with non-Jewish students on campus, earning her the Israel Fellow of the Year award from the Maccabee Task Force for her efforts. Part of that work included organizing a transformative trip to Israel, where brave non-Jewish and Jewish students alike were willing to come and explore the complexities of Israel and the conflict firsthand.
“The trip was incredibly impactful. These students, many of whom had only known Israel through media or academic discussions, boldly immersed themselves in the reality on the ground. They visited historical sites, met with local leaders and heard stories from individuals directly affected by the conflict,” reflected Liad. “This allowed them to gain a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the situation, seeing Israel beyond the headlines and breaking down misconceptions. These direct connections are helping create informed, engaged leaders on campus who are now able to speak about Israel from a place of personal experience and understanding.”
