Israel Matters Display
The 80% Synagogue and Campus Campaign
Problem: The topic of Israel can be a political "hot potato," even among Jews. Consequently, many synagogues are choosing to avoid the topic. Unfortunately, this means that young people are not making a connection to Israel through their synagogue, which represents a missed opportunity.
Too many people do not have the facts about Israel, including Israel's history, accurate information about the conflict, or the largely unknown facts about Israel beyond the conflict.
The unfortunate cost is that the current generation of Jews is losing the opportunity to form a clear connection to Israel, accumulate knowledge, and develop love for Israel, which could erode even more among future generations. And when a synagogue member's child goes to college, he or she is usually unprepared to deal with anti-Israel or anti-Semitic rhetoric that may arise. You can't support or defend something you don't know anything about. And many young people may not even feel connected to Israel, so they may not even feel motivated to become engaged if the challenges arise about Israel on their campuses.
Solution: One way to combat the growing void is to start a movement around the country so that rabbis and synagogues can feel comfortable speaking to their congregations about Israel. We want to partner with synagogues of all denominations to educate their members about Israel's history and accomplishments. We will tailor the content to fit each synagogue's "climate" and positions where possible while being sensitive to the politically hot issues. StandWithUs feels that time is of the essence because we have already lost a tremendous amount of supporters of Israel over the years and continue to lose people every year.
In the words of Professor Alan Dershowitz, who believes we should work together on the 80% that unites us vs. the 20% which divides us:
"Virtually all Israelis and supporters of Israel agree with what I call 'the 80 percent case for Israel.'
This includes:
- Israel's right to exist and be recognized as the nation-state of the Jewish People.
- Israel's actions must be judged by a single standard that acknowledges the threats it faces.
- Israel has the right to defend its citizens by reasonable and proportional means.
- The world owes Israel a large debt of gratitude for the enormous contributions it has made to all people by its medical, scientific and environmental innovations and exports.
- No country in the world faced with comparable threats has had a better record of human rights and concern for the lives of civilians.
- Israelis would like nothing more than to live in peace with its neighbors.
As with all countries, there is room for disagreement about some of its policies and actions. This 20 percent area of disagreement has, unfortunately, been much of the focus of the world on Israel. We aim to focus the world's attention on the 80 percent areas of substantial agreement."
- Innovation
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Innovation
People from all over the world use Israel's innovations, many without even knowing where the technology came from. Such innovations have pushed the world into the 21st century and have provided cures or treatments for some of the world's worst diseases.
- Green Technology
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Green Technology
Israel's advancements, such as drip irrigation and desalination techniques, have benefited societies around the globe and paved the way to a greener earth.
- The People
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The People
Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has been a safe haven for persecuted Jews from Europe, Yemen, Morocco, Libya, South America, and other regions worldwide; but Israel has also been a refuge for those of other religious, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
- Humanitarian Aid
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Humanitarian Aid
Israel is at the forefront of providing humanitarian aid around the world. Not only does Israel provide low-income communities in Africa with technology to better utilize their land and water supply, but it is also first on the scene when disaster strikes anywhere in the world.
- West Bank
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West Bank
The West Bank, known as Judea and Samaria for thousands of years, is part of the ancient Jewish homeland.
- United Nations
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United Nations
The world had high hopes that the UN, founded in 1945, would promote its worthy goals: maintaining international peace, developing friendly relations between nations, and promoting human rights worldwide. Unfortunately, the UN hasn't advanced these goals.
- Jerusalem
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Jerusalem
The Jewish presence in the land spans over 3,000 years, and Jerusalem has been the center and focus of Jewish life since the beginning.
- Israeli Arabs
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Israeli Arabs
Making up nearly 20 percent of Israel's population, Israeli Arabs comprise the largest minority in Israel. As citizens of Israel, they have the same rights as Jewish citizens, and in large cities such as Tel Aviv and Haifa, they live side by side with Jews.
- Regional Map/Facts
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Regional Map/Facts
Israel's land mass is about 1/625 (1/6 of 1 percent) the size of the Arab World.
- Jewish Refugees
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Jewish Refugees
Jews are indigenous to the Middle East. For over 3,000 years, they lived in Israel and in every country in the region. But during the three decades after the Holocaust, Arab countries expelled or forced their Jewish citizens to flee.
- Zionism
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Zionism
For 2,000 years the Jewish people yearned to restore their independence in Zion, their age-old name for Jerusalem and the land of Israel, their ancient homeland.
- Tel Aviv
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Tel Aviv
No nation ever replaced the ancient Jewish state. 
- Hamas Charter
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Hamas Charter
Hamas Covenant: "Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it."
- Palestinians
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Palestinians
Palestinians deserve better from their leadership. Until Palestinian leadership takes responsibility for their people, they will continue to suffer from the corruption and destructive behavior that has plagued them for decades and robbed their children of a decent life and future.
- Terrorism
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Terrorism
The plague of terrorism has been a constant for Israelis from pre-state days to the present. Almost every Israeli has been personally affected by the loss or injury of a family member, relative, or friend. Terrorists target civilians.
- Teach Peace
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Teach Peace
For peace to emerge, peace must be taught. Children especially must be educated to respect human life and the rights of their neighbors. Unfortunately, Palestinian society is saturated with propaganda that demonizes Israel and Jews, denies Jewish history, and rejects Israel's right to exist.
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