rose report

Leadership Advocacy Education Dialogue

2 I Rose Report I Winter 2011

The Rose Report is published by Jewish Federation & Family Services, Orange County, California. The views expressed in the Rose Report do not necessarily represent those of JFFS or its Community Partners. We welcome your suggestions and comments.

Rose ProjectLeadership Council

Co-ChairsJeffrey H. MargolisDr. James Weiss

MembersSteven L. EdwardsShalom C. ElcottJay S. FeldmanDouglas K. FreemanPhilip N. KaplanJay MossDr. Eugene SpiritusGerald SolomonPhilip Waldman

Mission• Enhance Jewish experience on OC college campuses• Empower Jewish student leadership and self-sufficiency• Engage the broader OC community

StrategyProvide significant philanthropic support to a wide range of proactive endeavors

Core Values• Respectful dialogue• Bridge-building• An informed community

Jewish Federation & Family Services is grateful to our partners: the investors who made possible the development and impact of the Rose Project, and the publication of this report.

Ernest & Irma Rose Foundation

Paul Goldenberg

Jewish Funders Network

Margolis Family Foundatrion

Adam & Gila MilsteinFamily Foundation

Michael & Amy Morhaime

Richard z’’l & Joyce Rodnick

Samueli Foundation

Tom & Joyce Tucker

Robert & Linda Yellin


Dear Friends,

We have learned from the generations before us what can happen when a small problem

is ignored. So the range of worldwide reactions to the issues of non-civil, anti-Israel and even

anti-Semitic discourse on the UC Irvine campus is to be expected. We have also observed that

criticism of such activities in a free-speech environment accomplishes little change, while positive

programming and trustful dialogue among leaders can accomplish much. As concerned members of our local Orange County Jewish community, we readily

agreed to serve as Co-Chairs of Jewish Federation & Family Services’ Rose Project, precisely

because it provides a strategic framework and comprehensive response to these challenges

and opportunities. The Rose Project Leadership Council speaks with a strong, unified local

voice that consolidates a heretofore underfunded and fragmented approach into a dynamic and

multi-lateral dialogue among students, university leadership and administrators, and community

stakeholders. Established in 2008, the top priorities of the Rose Project are to support and advance

the Jewish experience on university campuses in Orange County; instill self-sufficiency in Jewish

student leaders; educate and train students about the facts and myths of Israel; and maintain

open communication with the broader Orange County community. The underlying principles

to be applied in accomplishing these objectives are based on engaging students in positive

advocacy, through bridge-building and respectful dialogue. Among the many programs funded by the Rose Project, Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren’s

February visit to UCI became a major tipping point for civility on campus when eleven disruptive

students associated with the Muslim Student Union (MSU) were removed from the auditorium,

arrested and subjected to disciplinary actions within the University’s code of conduct. Because the activities of the Rose Project had established and maintained open lines of

communication with UCI, the Jewish Federation was able to set up timely meetings with UC

Regents; UC President Mark Yudof; UCI administration; and faculty, staff and students. Actions of

the campus administration were closely monitored, and the community received regular updates

and reports. When emails surfaced proving the MSU had, indeed, conspired to serially disrupt

Ambassador Oren and prevent his right to free speech in an academically-sponsored program,

the MSU was suspended in a precedent-setting move by the university. While we hope and

expect that the campus climate at UCI will continue to improve, we remain vigilant in the event that

it does not. We firmly and unequivocally hold the position that Israel has the right to exist, and that the

Jewish people have the right to self-determination. With these convictions in mind, and working

collaboratively with a multitude of partners, Rose Project initiatives for 2011 include: expanding

Israel education and advocacy training to the broader community; combating anticipated efforts

to delegitimize Israel; and investing further in the development and recruitment of Jewish

students at UCI—while continuing to support our ongoing initiatives described in this report. We thank the community for its continued support!

Jeffrey H. Margolis James M. Weiss, MD Co-Chair,

Co-Chair, Rose Project

Rose Project

Winter 2011 I Rose Report I 3


• A history of a strong anti-Semitic and anti-Israel rhetoric and hate speech at UCI

• An unsatisfactory and passive response from university administrators

• Insufficient advocacy training, leadership development and Israel education

opportunities for students

• Negative media coverage of anti-Israel activity misrepresenting the everyday Jewish student experience

• An overall lack of communal investment in Israel programming

• A void of opportunities for positive and constructive dialogue among students

The Opportunity

Time Line

In 2005, Jewish Federation & Family Services became increasingly involved with the community’s growing concern about anti-Israel rhetoric at UC Irvine.

The challenges included:

Prior to the Rose Project, Jewish students on campus lacked sufficient financial and program

support. The Rose Project was developed in 2008 to reset the agenda

• Dr. Michael V. Drake begins his term as Chancellor of UCI

2004• Jewish Federation Orange County (JFOC) awards an “Israel on Campus” grant to OC Hillel• UCI receives national media coverage when 11 Muslim students wear graduation stoles with Arabic

phrases that allegedly imply approval of terrorism and suicide bombings• US Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) launches investigation into allegations of anti-Semitism at UCI filed by the ZOA

• Muslim students at UCI protest a College Republicans event about Danish political cartoons• JFOC establishes task force to monitor anti-Israel activity at UCI• Muslim Student Union at UCI (MSU) sponsors week-long anti-Israel

program “Holocaust in the Holy Land”• JFOC, OC Hillel, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) & American Jewish Committee (AJC) release-joint statement condemning the MSU’s “Holocaust in the Holy Land”

20062005

• The 2nd Intifada begins in Israel2002

• Anteaters for Israel at UCI (AFI) is established2003

4 I Rose Report I Winter 2011 Winter 2011 I Rose Report I 5

Support and advance Jewish student experience on OC college campuses

• Advocacy training• Leadership development• Israel education • Jewish identity-building• First-hand Israel experiences• Bridge-building and dialogue • Dynamic student initiatives

Build and foster community relationships and education

• Distinguished Lecture Series and visiting scholars• Programming with multicultural and religious communities• Education and awareness about

the movement to delegitimize Israel on U.S. campuses

Ensure coordinated communication and messaging from the OC Jewish community

• Open and constructive dialogue with UCI administrators, UCI Chancellor and Office of UC President

• Briefings for national Jewish organizations and Israeli representatives

• Regular discussions with elected officials and community leaders

The Strategic Objectives

• JFOC hosts community-wide Israel solidarity rally during Operation Cast Lead• ADL provides counter-terrorism training to UCI Police Department• Rose Project brings Ruti Lande, Foreign Affairs & Jewish World Affairs Advisor to the President of Israel, to UCI to meet with Chancellor Drake, faculty and students• AFI presents 2nd annual iFest • MSU sponsors a week-long series entitled “Israel: The Politics of Genocide”• MSU sponsors an unsanctioned on-campus fundraiser for Viva Palestina, aanti-Israel organization alleged to provide

material support to Hamas; JFOCleadership and the ZOA demand an investigation• Second OTI delegation travels to Israel and the West Bank• Rose Project partners with the UCI Jewish Studies program to present “Judaism and the American Constitution” with UCI Law School Dean Erwin Chemerinsky• AJC’s OC chapter establishes community advisory task force on Israel• OC Hillel opens its new campus center located across the street from UCI

2009

2008

• Former US President Jimmy Carter speaks at UCI about his book, Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid• MSU sponsors “Israel: Apartheid Resurrected” and “Holocaust Memorial Week”• JFOC organizes community town hall meeting with Chancellor Michael Drake • The Schusterman Family Foundation funds a visiting Israeli professor at UCI

• Adam & Gila Milstein Family Foundation brings the Israel Fellow program to UCI• JFOC and campus groups sponsor “An Evening with Alan Dershowitz: The Case for Peace in the Middle East” at UCI • OCR investigation clears UCI administration of any wrong doing

2007

• JFOC Board of Directors approves establishment of Rose Project with pacesetting grant from the Ernest & Irma Rose Foundation• Chancellor Drake speaks at Int’l Hillel University Summit• Alpha Epsilon Pi, the international Jewish fraternity establishes a chapter at CSU Fullerton• MSU sponsors “From Auschwitz to

Gaza: The Politics of Genocide”• MSU sponsors “Never Again? Palestinian Holocaust”• AFI presents 1st annual iFest• Panhellenic Council at UCI invites Alpha Epsilon Phi, a national Jewish sorority, to establish a chapter • AJC’s Project Interchange brings Chancellor Drake to Israel. Newly appointed UC President Mark Yudof

co-leads the trip• OC Hillel hires new Executive Director• After a year in development, the Olive Tree Initiative (OTI) embarks on its first trip to Israel and the West Bank• Chabad on Campus and the Rohr Family Foundation establish first OC campus-based Chabad House at UCI


2010

• i-Fest at UCI (2008, 2009 & 2010): Week-long festival brings together hundreds of students and community members to celebrate and learn about Israel.

• Israel Fellow program (2008, 2009 & 2010): Campus shaliach from Israel works with student leaders to develop Israel programming at UCI and Chapman.

• ISREALITY (2009 & 2010): Israel educational seminar features visiting scholars and experts.

• AIPAC Policy Conference (2009 & 2010): Scholarships for dozens of UCI students to meet with and learn from leaders of the American pro-Israel movement.

• Anteaters for Israel leadership training (2009 & 2010): Biannual Israel education and advocacy training retreats for students.

• OC Hillel Jewish Student Leadership Initiative (2009 & 2010): Skill set develpment for emerging student leaders.

GRANT HIGHLIGHTS:

174 program grants and student scholarships

$303,000 in grants

$91,000 in studentscholarships

363student opportunities in Israel education, leadership and advocacy programs

16 campus and community bridge-building programs

160additional Taglit-Birthright Israel participants from OC universities and colleges

Time Line• Rose Project hosts Israel education program for Christians United for Israel (CUFI) and 60 Christian ministers• UC President Mark Yudof and UC Regents publish public letter stating that the University of California will not divest from Israel

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

• Rose Project Council members travel to Oakland to meet with UC President Mark Yudof• In an open letter to UCI students, Ambassador Oren offers to return to campus to engage in open dialogue • Women’s Council of Hillel is established

• President and CEO of JFOC, Shalom Elcott, meets with the national executive leadership of the ADL, AJC and Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations to coordinate efforts in responding to anti-Israel activity at UCI• JFOC and Rose Project staff meet with

Rep. John Campbell to discuss concerns• JFOC and Rose Project staff meet with Rep. Brad Sherman to discuss concerns• Anonymous packages containing proof of MSU “game plan” to disrupt Ambassador Oren are delivered to UCI and JFOC

• MSU formulate “game plan” to disrupt Ambassador Michael Oren’s speech• Rose Project Distinguished Guest Lecture Series and campus groups sponsor Israeli Ambassador Michael B. Oren’s

visit to UCI; MSU members disrupt Oren’s speech over a dozen times; eleven Muslim students are arrested • Chancellor Michael Drake announces that UCI will host discussions on civility and values

BY THE NUMBERS:

THE RESULTS


• Professor Alan Dershowitz• Khaled Abu Toameh, Arab-Israeli

journalist known for his moderate position• Gil Hoffman, political correspondent for

The Jerusalem Post• Mark G. Yudof, President of the

University of California• U.S. Representative Ed Royce and

Hon. Jacob Dayan, Consul General of Israel in L.A., at Chapman University

• Dr. Ra’anan Gissin, Senior advisor to former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon

• Hon. Yuli Edelstein, Israel’s Minister of Public Affairs and the Diaspora

• Hon. Michael B. Oren, Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S.

• Ruti Lande, Foreign Affairs & Jewish World Affairs Advisor to the President of Israel

• Interfaith Israel education presentations to UCI and Chapman

University interfaith centers • Collaborative programs with Christians

United for Israel (CUFI) and the Israel/Christian Nexus.

• Israel Amplified (2009 & 2010): UCI and CSU Fullerton delegations attend annual Israel leadership conference for Jewish fraternity and sorority members.

• Olive Tree Initiative (2008, 2009 & 2010): Scholarships for Jewish students to participate in multi-cultural student trip to Israel and the West Bank.

• Hasbara Fellowships (2008, 2009 & 2010): Scholarships for UCI students to attend leading Israel activism training program in Jerusalem.

• UCI Jewish Studies (2009 & 2010): Lecture program and Holocaust symposium sponsorships.

• Schusterman Visiting Israeli Scholar (2010): Partnership with UCI Department of Political Science for a full-time visiting professor from the Hebrew Univeristy.

• Chabad at UCI Chanukkah Festival (2010): Historic Chanukkah celebration with 10ft tall menorah brings students and community members together on campus.

SPONSORED PROGRAMS:

2010

MAY

• Jewish Federation Orange County and Jewish Family Service of Orange County enters into a strategic alliance, changing their name to Jewish Federation & Family Services, Orange County (JFFS)• After filing Freedom of Information Act request with UCI, JFFS receives

confirmation that UCI will suspend the MSU for one year• Rose Project works with Taglit-Birthright Israel trip organizers to provide OC Hillel its own bus to take UCI and Chapman University students to Israel• MSU appeals suspension

JUNE-JULY

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER

• Rose Project launches “Israel Matters” education series for adults in Orange County• OCR announces that it will enforce Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to protect Jewish students from harassment and intimidation on campus• Rose Project Distinguished Guest Lecture Series presents UC President Mark Yudof at Temple Bat Yahm in Newport Beach

• UCI administration announces that it will uphold the decision to suspend MSU; suspension is amended from one year to one semester, followed by two years of probation• Third OTI delegation travels to Israel and the West Bank• Rose Project awards a grant to UCI to reinstitute the Schusterman visiting Israeli professor program at UCI for the school year

• Over 70 UCI faculty members sign open letter expressing concern about hate speech and intimidation by MSU• MSU sponsors “Israeli Apartheid Week: A Call to Divest, Boycott and Sanction”

• Newly formed UCI student organization Movement for Peace in the Middle East (MPME), hosts “Obstacles for Peace - What They Won’t Tell You,” raising awareness about human rights violations in Muslim countries


For years, universities in Orange County

rarely came to mind as the destination of choice for incoming college freshmen seeking a well-developed Jewish campus life experience. Although small Hillel chapters had been established at UCI, CSU Fullerton and Chapman University over the years, Jewish student attendance at these schools remained small. Over time, Jewish student enrollment steadily grew, as did the academic excellence of these schools. Eventually, Alpha Epsilon Pi, the Jewish fraternity, opened

a chapter at UCI, and was later joined by the Jewish sorority Alpha Epsilon Phi and the pro-Israel club, Anteaters for Israel. Yet, significant financial support from the local Jewish community remained absent.

A major paradigm shift was needed, and the Rose Project was created in the spring of 2008. Positive change was brewing, and the top priority was to provide Jewish college students with a strong support system of campus professionals and the financial resources to realize their innovative program ideas.

Orange County Hillel was in a significant period of transition, and Jewish campus life in Orange County was at a crossroads. Hillel was rebuilt and revitalized. Its budget has more than doubled since then, and its operation is stronger than ever.

During this time, with the suppport of the Rohr Family Foundation, Chabad on Campus decided the time was ripe to establish a Chabad House at UCI. Today, Chabad provides many opportunities to enjoy Jewish life on Campus and enjoy weekly Shabbat dinners.

Supporting & Advancing the Jewish Experience on Campus


Partners

On Campus

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

• Recruit seasoned lay leaders to establish a vision and measurable outcomes for Jewish campus life.

• Invest in a cadre of dynamic program officers on OC college campuses.

• Identify, cultivate and sustain the next generation of Jewish student leadership.

• Offer mentorship opportunities for Jewish students.

STRATEGIC RESULTS

• Lay leaders and professional staff who are equipped to empower Jewish students.

• Jewish student leaders trained and ready to become our leaders of tomorrow.

• Students are offered coordinated training through all stages of their college careers, ensuring a steady flow of strong leadership.

• Enhanced visibility and strengthening of Jewish student groups on campus.



• Train college students to be effective and proactive advocates for Israel and the Jewish people.

• Increase scholarships and subsidies available for Israel education, leadership and advocacy programs.

• Bring top-notch Israel education to campus and the community.

• Foster opportunities for open dialogue on issues related to the Middle East.

STRATEGIC RESULTS

• The leading cadre of pro-Israel student activists in North America.

• Israel Fellow program: A full-time, Israeli shaliach (emissary) on campus, working with students to advance the position of Israel on campus.

• Creative and informative student-led advocacy campaigns.

• An enlightened, educated and engaged community.

The delegitimization of Israel on North American

college campuses is a growing movement that continues to pick up speed. When the Second Intifada in Israel began ten years ago, the Jewish community received a startling wake-up call: Jewish students on campus were ill-prepared to advocate on behalf of Israel. For some time, there had already been growing concern among North American Jewish leadership about the increasing divide between young Jewish

adults’ identity, a connection to the land of Israel and the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Furthermore, anti-Israel bias in the classroom had become a reality.

Overnight, organizations like Hillel and AIPAC quadrupled their efforts. Israel advocacy organizations, such as the Israel on Campus Coalition, StandWithUs, Hasbara Fellowships and The Israel Project, were established. Soon, the scales began to tip in a new direction. Collectively, the pro-Israel voice on the university campus was being heard. However, not every community was equipped to respond. The anti-Israel movement at UCI had gained significant ground, and was receiving international media attention.

Jewish Federation & Family Services developed the Rose Project to radically change the campus dynamics in Orange County. In partnership with Hillel and several national Israel advocacy organizations, the Rose Project set out to provide the very best Israel education and advocacy training opportunities available.

Israel Education & Advocacy Training


OC students with JFFS Chair Philip N. Kaplan


Earlier this year, thanks to several scholarships and subsidies from AIPAC

and significant additional underwriting from our Federation’s Rose Project, 27 students travelled with over 50 Orange County community members to the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference. Each Spring, more than 5,000 people travel to Washington D.C. in support of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship.

Conference attendees hear from leading experts on the key issues facing Israel, such as Iran’s nuclear arms race, the continued threat from Hamas and Hezbollah, U.S. government foreign policy, and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Special guest speakers this year included Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Alan Dershowitz and Israeli Ambassador Michael B. Oren.

Jewish Federation and Family Services President and CEO Shalom Elcott said, “This year is a record for UCI student attendance. Each year, there are always a handful of UCI students at the conference, but this year the increase is truly amazing!”The UCI delegation included Jewish students from Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority, Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, Anteaters for Israel, Chabad on Campus and Hillel.

Several more students of other faiths, including UCI’s student body president, also participated.

“There is a growing interest amongst students at UCI to become better educated and better equipped to advocate on behalf of Israel at UCI,” said Matan Lurey, a Computer Science major and leader in several Jewish student groups.

Jay Feldman, Director of the Rose Project, added, “Our community is committed to identifying and investing in the best leadership development and advocacy training opportunities for our students.”

Record number of OC students attend AIPAC Policy ConferenceBy Joshua Berookhim, 2009-10 AIPAC Campus Liaison

Our community is committed to identifying and investing in the best leadership development and advocacy training opportunities for our students

Students with Congressman Brad Sherman

Students at Congressman John Campbell’s office

Tony Blair addresses AIPAC delegates

Students with Professor Alan Dershowitz


Israel On Campus

Spotlight On

UCI Visiting Israeli ProfessorNoted Israeli Scholar joins the faculty at UCI for 2010-11

Israel education also takes place in the classroom. In early 2010, the Rose Project was asked to assist in bringing a full-time Israeli professor to UCI. This brings a unique and first-hand perspective to the students and faculty

of UCI, as well as the members of the greater Orange County Jewish community.

Professor Menachem Hofnung, an expert in political science, is the 2010-2011 Schusterman Visiting Israeli Professor at the University of California, Irvine. His appointment at UCI is part of the Israel Scholar Development Program

that is coordinated by the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise (AICE) and funded by grants from The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation and the Rose Project of Jewish Federation & Family Services, Orange County.

Professor Hofnung is the Herbert Samuels Chair of Political Science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His research covers national security and civil liberties, constitutional politics and comparative political finance. From 2007 to 2010, he was President of the Israeli Law and Society Association, and served as Chair of the International Political Science Association Research Committee on Political Finance from 2006 to 2009. He has served in the Israeli Defense Forces as a combat officer.

Courses at UCI include “Israeli

Democracy: Politics,

Institutions & Society” and

“Israeli Law in Comparative Perspectives”

For the 2010-11 academic year, Professor Hofnung is one of 22 Visiting Israeli Professors on campuses across the U.S.

The Israel Fellow program is a collaboration of Hillel and the Jewish Agency for Israel. The program places outstanding young Israelis on key North American campuses to serve as peer ambassadors to the campus community. The Fellows focus on Israel education and advocacy programming on campus, work with Taglit-Birthright Israel trip participants and returnees, and help students explore options for long-term experiential and study programs in Israel. In 2007, through the vision of philanthropists Adam & Gila Milstein and Liz Merage, the Israel Fellow program was brought to UCI. Since 2008, the Rose Project has partnered with the Adam & Gila Milstein Family Foundation to ensure that the Israel Fellow remain an annual component of OC Hillel’s Israel education and advocacy work. A presentation about Sderot

Meet the UCI 2010-11 Israel Fellow. Itzik Yarkoni was born and raised in Bat-Yam. Itzik received his Bachelor of Arts in Communication at Sapir College in Sderot. During this time, Yarkoni joined the Ayalim Association and undertook the establishment of the first student village in

the Western Negev. He is currently working towards a Masters degree in International Conflict Resolution at Bar Ilan University, while writing for “Time Out Magazine” in Jerusalem. He has been a research assistant for NGO Monitor, as well as Director for Advertising at the Sderot Media Center.

Spotlight On

Israel Fellow Program

In May of 2008, UCI’s Ring Mall was transformed into a week-long, colorful

street festival called iFest. The campus’s pro-Israel club, Anteaters for Israel, wanted to celebrate Israel’s 60th birthday in a big way and the rest is history.

Each year, a team of thirty students recreate Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem, complete with vendors, food, live music, and street performers. Educational exhibits include Israel’s technology, agriculture, diversity and environment. The iFest iPod challenge quizzes participants on facts about Israel for a chance to win an iPod. The nightlife of Israel comes to the student community through a Tel Aviv - style discotheque party attracting over 1,000 students.

iFest culminates with a large Israeli-style Shabbat dinner, bringing in more than 200 students, many of whom are not Jewish. iFest co-chair Maya Rozov said, “It was

amazing to see students come together because they were excited to promote Israel and be part of something bigger than themselves.”

iFest has become the largest annual program put on by students at UC Irvine and is now replicated on many other university campuses around the country.

“We wanted to create a good feeling about Israel on campus and one of our major goals was to reach out to students of other faiths at UCI,” added iFest creator Isaac Yerushalmi. “So much of how Israel is portrayed on campus is inaccurate.”

iFest was thefirst programto receive a

grant from the Rose Project

Spotlight On

iFest

The Rose Project provides students with grants

to attend Israel education, leadership and advocacy

programs.

AIPAC AdvancedAdvocacy Mission

AIPAC Policy Conference

Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority leadership conferences

Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity leadership conferences

Anteaters for Israelretreats and workshops

Hasbara Fellowships in Israel

ISREALITY Seminar

Olive Tree Initiative

StandWithUs Israel in Focus The David Project


For the last ten years, Jewish Federation & Family Services has been a funding

partner of the Taglit-Birthright Israel program, and through the Rose Project is dramatically increasing its financial investment. When Taglit-Birthright Israel began in 2000, 9,500 Jewish young adults age 18-26 were the first to experience the gift of a ten-day immersive peer-experience in Israel. Ten years later, more than 260,000 people from 52 countries have participated, including 2,000 from Orange County.

These unprecedented figures explain why many recognize Taglit-Birthright Israel as one of the most successful and effective educational endeavors in the global Jewish community. Studies conducted by the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University estimate that 70% of Taglit-Birthright Israel alumni are college students, and no less than half of these students actually become more active in Israel advocacy and in Jewish campus life upon their return.


• Transform Taglit-Birthright Israel from a one-time event into a catalyst for energized student alumni to be more active on campus and committed to community-building.

• Strengthen the base of student leaders on campus by increasing participation of freshman and sophomore students.

STRATEGIC RESULTS

• Expanded capacity for trip applicants, doubling student participation over the next five years

• Provided uninvolved students with the opportunity to establish a personal relationship with Israel, leading to a higher participation in Israel activism on campus.

More than 260,000

people from 52 countries have participated—

including 2,000 from Orange

County

Taglit-Birthright Israel


With several years of media coverage of anti-Israel activity at UCI, the campus

gained a reputation as an unfriendly and unsafe place for Jewish students. After speaking with campus professionals, faculty, university administration and many students, we have learned the following:

• Students groups like the MSU were indeed hosting anti-Israel, and in some cases, anti-Semitic programs.

• While legitimate concern exists, many of the anti-Jewish incidences were somewhat outdated and negative perspectives were not entirely accurate.

• The local Jewish community and greater public had no idea that the Jewish student community on the Irvine campus was thriving and robust. Indeed, only a part of the story was being told.

Without a coordinated voice to represent the local community, outside individuals and organizations were telling only parts of the story. To address this concern, the Rose Project developed a multi-level communication strategy aimed at providing timely information to the public and briefings to community organizations, congregations, elected officials and the media.

160,000+ global email updates

22,000+ blog page views

12,000+ YouTube views

20,000+ re-Tweets

Community Relations & Media Advocacy


Students withCongressman John Campbell

Media advocacy

has resulted in

wide-spread coverage


• Provide media and the greater community with accurate stories of programs, initiatives and community action on a regular basis.

• Improve methods for communication within the local and broader community.

• Establish strong relationships with key media personnel covering higher education and religious issues.

STRATEGIC RESULTS • Created a strong cadre of local

spokespeople consisting of community leaders and students who speak on behalf of community and campus issues.

• Developed a communication and messaging infrastructure through the launch of a community blog, YouTube Channel, Twitter profile and Facebook components.

• Coordinated and aligned messaging from the local Jewish communal leadership to the university, local and national organizations, congregations and government officials.

• Provided ongoing community updates to local and national organizations, congregations and government officials.

Rabbi Marc Dworkin, Executive Director of AJC and Craig Barbarosh, Rose Project Leadership Council member

Past JFOC President, Jodi Greenbaum with Chancellor Drakeand Alan Dershowitz

Rose Project Co-Chair Dr. James Weiss

with Randy Neal of Christians United

for Israel

Winter 2011 I Rose Report I 1918 I Rose Report I Winter 2011

In an effort to promote and improve campus climate and civility at UCI and other OC universities, the Rose Project has worked toward building common ground and coordinating action with local and national strategic partners. To that end, the Rose Project leadership council has sought to identify and foster opportunities for unity—and against fragmentation—that advance relations with other religious and ethnic groups on the campus and in the community. Relationships of trust and transparency have positioned Jewish Federation & Family Services to effectively respond to the allegations of anti-Semitism on campus, and to promote the administration’s responsibility to improve the environment on campus and in the community.


• Advocate that hate speech is a worldwide universal concern, and not just a Jewish issue.

• Support and encourage efforts by OC university administrations to strengthen their relationship with and support of their respective Jewish student bodies.

• Provide a forum for Jewish professors to better connect with one another in order to foster stronger relationships and connections between Jewish faculty, staff and students.

• Create joint ventures with strategic partners to bridge the gap between community members and the university.

• Engage elected officials, clergy, community leaders and organizations to promote an environment of respect and civility on campus.

STRATEGIC RESULTS

• Created communal partnerships that promote human relations and respect between and among students of many backgrounds.

• Raised visibility of Jewish and Israel studies by sponsoring visiting scholars and educators on the campus and in the community.

• Integrated and coordinated advocacy and leadership training offered by strategic partners for student and community leaders.

• Established the Rose Project Guest Lecture Series, bringing timely and relevant issues of the day to OC community.

• Initiated dialogue of moderate community lay leaders, encouraging them to act as role models and mentors for students.

Sukhee Kang, Mayor of IrvinePhil Waldman, JFFS Chair

Jacob Dayan, Consul General of Israel in L.A.

addresses Chapman University

Rose Council leadership with UC President Mark Yudof and

UCI Chancellor Michael Drake

Bridge-Building & Strategic Collaborations


LOCALAnteaters for Israel

Chabad at UCI

Hillel Foundation of Orange County

Jewish Federation & Family Services

REGIONAL / NATIONALAIPAC

Alpha Epsilon Phi

Alpha Epsilon Pi

American-IsraeliCooperative Enterprise

American Jewish Committee

Anti-Defamation League

Christians United for Israel

Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations

Consulate General of Israelin Los Angeles

Embassy of IsraelWashington D.C.

Hasbara Fellowships

Hillel: Foundation forJewish Campus Life

Israel/Christian Nexus

Israel on Campus Coalition

Jewish Council of Public Affairs

Jewish Federationsof North America

Simon Wiesenthal Center

StandWithUs

The David Project

ZOA

We are most appreciative to the Rose Project leadership and its investors; and to the Board and staff of Jewish Federation & Family Services. All of these individuals have immersed themselves in countless challenges in our community, investing tremendous time and talent. We all owe them a heartfelt ‘Todah Rabah’ for improving the quality of Jewish student life on our Orange County campuses, and in our community!

While the impact of our community’s collaborative efforts can be measured by tracking the number of pro-Israel students trained, positive Jewish programs launched, growing relationships developed and constructive dialogue exchanged, there is still much work to be done.

With each graduating class, a cadre of well-trained leaders takes the learning forward into the community. Within the continuing student body, we support programs that identify and cultivate emerging student leaders who show great promise. We provide these students, and our community members, with high-level Israel education and leadership development opportunities.

The Rose Project’s early success, as a locally-coordinated effort, has implications for communities across the country, wherever anti-Israel activity has emerged or grown, on campus or in the community. Jewish Federation & Family Services is proud to be a leader in this arena. We lead by working with many key partners in the local and national conversation. We know that, by working collectively, we will inspire and empower the next generation of Jewish leadership.

There is no single or simple solution to the multitude of challenges we face. We will always stand up to any challenge to our heritage, our religion and our nation. We will always stand up to fight anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism and any effort to harm Israel, including the reprehensible BDS movement. At the same time, we will always stand up for civil discourse and respect. As we foster greater awareness, and allow for difficult conversations to take place in an environment of mutual respect, we will be doing our part to protect and defend the right of all people to speak with civility on our college campuses and across our community.

As I write this letter a monumental change is taking place in the Middle East that will affect many of us and the work that we do. I would be remiss if I did not thank a multitude of people and organizations of other faiths and ethnicities, who also realize that this is not a Jewish problem alone, but one that ultimately affects all of us in America and around the world. To each of you, we are extremely grateful for your partnership.

Shalom C. ElcottPresident and CEOJewish Federation & Family Services, Orange County

Rose Project:

The Future


“Free Speech Issues on College Campuses” BY KEVIN S. O’GRADY, Ed.D.

Regional Director of Orange County/Long Beach Anti-Defamation League

When I joined ADL six years ago, the Muslim Student Union controversy at

UCI was in its infancy. Anti-Semitic speakers had been invited to campus for the first time the previous year, and the media was just beginning to sense something unusual was happening at UCI. Over the years, the controversy has grown, the MSU campaign has become more sophisticated, and the Jewish community has become divided.

At the heart of the division lies a misunderstanding of the 1st Amendment issues at play. Many have demanded the university silence the MSU. I have lost count of the number of people who have asked, “I support the First Amendment, but can’t you stop them (the MSU) from speaking?” Even if our goal was to silence the MSU, and it is not, free speech rights protect the group and their speakers. Hate speech is protected speech. Anti-Semitic speech is protected speech.

Speech crosses the constitutional divide only when the speaker calls for “imminent, unlawful action.” MSU speakers have never done this. When the MSU students were arrested for interrupting Ambassador Oren’s speech, they were arrested for their actions (disrupting the speech) not for what they said.

Courts have further ruled that when a school group brings an invited speaker to campus, the school has a constitutional responsibility not to interfere. In a line of cases dating to the Vietnam War, federal courts have ruled speakers have a right to be heard regardless of how distasteful or offensive their views. Calling for the university to stop the MSU, or demanding

that Jewish leaders pressure the university to stop the MSU from speaking is to call for a strategy that would fail.

Does this mean the university or its leadership must remain silent?

It does not. First, the university can place Time, Place and Manner restrictions on campus speech, requiring speakers to stay within certain demarcated areas, and speak only during specific hours. UCI has put these view-point neutral restrictions in place. Much more significantly, the school and its leadership share the same speech rights as the MSU. The Chancellor of the University is well within his rights to condemn a speech, the speaker by name and the content of the speech. He can label Malik Ali an anti-Semite and condemn his speech in the strongest terms. Condemnation of a speech already given is not prior restraint of speech. In fact, Chancellor Drake could stand in front of Malik Ali holding a sign labeling Ali an anti-Semite and bigot; if he did so, the Chancellor would be acting in a manner consistent with the Constitution.

In conversations with our leadership, the Chancellor has said he does not have these rights. The ADL disagrees with him and has told him so. The Dean of his law school disagrees and has told him so. His boss disagrees and has told him so. We should all continue to disagree with him and tell him so.


“The Power of Pro-Semitism” BY JORDAN FRUCHTMAN, Executive Director of Hillel Foundation of Orange County

At UC Irvine, a campus

propelled into the national spotlight by a small but p r o v o c a t i v e group of radicaI Muslim

students, the local and extended Jewish communities have tried a gamut of approaches to counter anti-Israel activity. As events like the Muslim Student Union’s anti-Israel week continue and some students persist in their efforts to bring the Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) campaign to campus, many of our partners in the pro-Israel community think we could do much better.

But how? On a campus like UC Irvine, what does effective Israel advocacy look like?

The first step of an effective Israel advocacy strategy is to define the goal. At Hillel, our goal is to build a strong and enduring Jewish community on campus that fosters involvement and education. Our experience shows that the best way to fight anti-Semitism and anti-Israel activity is by outflanking the Israel detractors with vibrant students who love Israel and Judaism and

are proud of their heritage, are knowledgeable about Israel’s history and the strategies of Israel advocacy, and are confident in their ability to lead. This approach is instrumental, not only to creating a safe and supportive Jewish campus environment, but also to promoting the next generation of Jewish community leaders.

With anti-Israel activity at UC Irvine often taking a confrontational tone, it is tempting to seek to directly challenge Israel’s antagonists and to silence their rhetoric. We believe that if these defensive measures become our primary goal, we will ultimately lose our way. That is not to say that Hillel students do not stand up to their peers who use unacceptable tactics to demonize and delegitimize Israel. They have and will continue to fight the lies with truth and to lobby university administrators to extinguish uncivil discourse on campus, all the while remaining mindful of the parameters of free speech guaranteed under the First Amendment. However, our ultimate strength lies in our ability to grow the number of students who are deeply involved in Jewish life and who strongly identify with Israel and will share their knowledge with others. We believe that aggressive responses to anti-Israel activities alienate Jewish and non-Jewish students alike—a losing strategy for winning friends for Israel.

Today at UC Irvine, our students are passionately and productively pro-Israel. Interest cards show that pro-Israel initiatives are tops on the minds of our students, ahead

of all other campus Jewish life activities. We send fifty or more students each year to Israel through Taglit-Birthright Israel and other programs. An even greater number of students participate in advocacy trainings led by the nation’s top experts, and greater still are the number of students who have been involved with student-run advocacy meetings. We have a full-time Jewish Agency for Israel Fellow who is on the cutting edge of fighting against the delegitimization of Israel through student empowerment. The Israel Fellow, an Israeli who recently graduated from an Israeli university, has employed a Social Media Team of students that is using online tools to advocate for Israel and sending out student-created content in order to refocus the dialogue about UC Irvine.

UC Irvine may have captured headlines due to the radical tactics of a few hotheads, but they are not representative of this generation of students. Today’s students are more interested in celebrating pluralism than in exacerbating tensions. By focusing our efforts on building strong Jewish identities and fostering lively and passionate communities on campus, we will best support Israel and create a bright future for the Jewish people.


In today’s world, anti-Israel propaganda can be instantly

transmitted from a small college campus in California to millions of viewers throughout the world via YouTube and Facebook. It has become commonplace to see anti-Israel tactics such as the disruption of pro-Israel speakers, displaying “apartheid walls” in the middle of the campus quad, and students dressed up as Israeli soldiers patrolling mock “checkpoints” as students make their way to class. Accusations of “occupation,” “racism” and “apartheid” echo the hallways and classrooms of universities, and are broadcast online for anyone to watch.

What is the best way to counter this mounting anti-Israel propaganda? How can the pro-Israel community effectively combat the calls to delegitimize Israel on the university campus?

While it is undoubtedly important to host pro-Israel programs such as speakers, films and discussions, it is essential to keep two crucial concepts in focus.

First, we must meet the students where they are. This holds true in the most physical sense. Bringing an educational speaker about Israel to campus usually results in a small audience of students who already either agree or disagree with the topic of the speech. When attempting to engage unaffiliated or “middle-of-the-road” students,

we can’t expect them to come find a classroom on campus to hear about a topic they’re not so interested in. We have to go to them.

We must place the issues at the intersection of students’ interests and viewpoints. This means setting up attractive displays on the campus’s major walkways with clear, simple messages. This means distributing nicely made materials that give simple facts and messages about Israel. This means writing editorials about Israel’s repeated attempts to compromise for peace, and Israel’s values for human rights, freedoms and democracy, in widely-read campus newspapers.

Second, we must encourage pro-Israel activism “in between” the programming.

Many in the Jewish community measure the success of on-campus Israel activism by the number of pro-Israel programs that take place. But, this is not the best litmus test. True progress must be defined by what happens before and after the programs. Are the pro-Israel students building effective coalitions and partnerships with

other student groups who are not traditionally pro-Israel? Are they regularly inviting campus media to cover their events and initiatives? Are they identifying and educating the younger students who will take their place once they graduate and leave the campus?

These are the “everyday activism” litmus tests of a strong pro-Israel presence on a campus, which is much more important than the number of events or programs taking place.

Because of these two factors, we at Hasbara Fellowships believe that the investment in building an effective student activist for Israel is worth more than any single outside speaker or program can achieve. With this in mind, we bring hundreds of students, from more than sixty campuses across North America, to Israel each year for an in-depth and comprehensive training program, and provide our participants with crucial information, strategy, tools and motivation to return to campuses as effective Israel activists.

“Beyond the Choir” BY ELLIOT MATHIAS, Founder and Executive Director of Hasbara Fellowships


“A Seat at the Table” BY BETH KROM, Irvine City Councilmember

As a former Mayor and current Irvine City Councilmember, I’ve observed

the multitude of ways in which complicated issues are addressed throughout our community. Irvine is a city of great diversity — an “international crossroads” city — with virtually every culture and faith having a presence here. The University of California, Irvine is a cornerstone of our community. Established a few years before Irvine’s incorporation as a city, UCI has grown to become a nationally recognized academic institution. As a result, the impact of what takes place on the UCI campus is felt well beyond its borders.

It has been disconcerting to see the reputation of UCI so greatly affected within the Jewish community as result of events which have taken place there in recent years. From the time the first “Holocaust in the Holy Land” week was staged at UCI, I have engaged directly with the University administration as well as representatives of both the Jewish and Muslim communities to counter the negative influence of those who have used the campus as a platform to demonize Israel and disrespect the Jewish community. I witnessed first hand how those who engaged in an organized disruption of Ambassador Michael Oren’s presentation at the University employed chaos and conflict to advance their interests. They

wanted to ensure the Ambassador’s voice would not be heard.

Wherever ignorance exists, there will be those who would rather agitate than educate. Even where there may be agreement on interests, there may be disagreement on tactics. I applaud those who have maintained their commitment to advancing positive initiatives. A unified community is a stronger community.

I commend all efforts to create an environment at the University which allows Jewish students — and indeed all students — to see that tolerance, respect and dialogue are valued and protected on campus. It has been inspiring to see enhanced support for Hillel and the Jewish students on campus. I also want to acknowledge the ongoing efforts of Jewish Federation & Family Services to support the Olive Tree Initiative and other programs that broaden the platform for discourse at UCI around Israel and other issues of significance to the Jewish community.

Our challenges can either unite or divide us. There is always risk in trusting that our interests can successfully be advanced by direct engagement with other institutions, organizations and communities. That said, we cannot afford to abandon the conversation when issues relevant to our community are being addressed.

Thank you to Jewish Federation & Family Services and all the organizations within our local Jewish community who work every day to ensure that we have a seat at the table.

SAMUELI JEWISH CAMPUS1 FEDERATION WAY, SUITE 210

IRVINE, CA 92603(949) [email protected]

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rose report - winter 2011

Documents

jewish student leadership

jewish experience

community partners

university leadership

community stakeholders

train students

disruptive students