Menu of options for educational sessions aimed at reaching out to groups around the world
Los Angeles – January 14, 2021
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, everything, including education, was disrupted.
StandWithUs worked quickly to pivot to offering online sessions, interactive workshops and tours. Now, the organization is launching an online menu offering groups around the world the chance to take part in sessions that cover a myriad of topics.
StandWithUs Connect - https://www.standwithus.com/connect - lists dozens of programs, from “Israel 101” explainers on Middle East history and topics related to countering antisemitism to workshops exploring Israeli music and culture and even “Hollywood and the Holy Land”. As Israel heads to elections, groups can request a briefing on Israel’s complicated political system, sports enthusiasts can book an overview on Israelis sporting successes and other sessions include “Zionism and Feminism”, “Understanding the BDS Campaign” and “Diversity in Israel”.
The StandWithUs Connect menu offers programming to suit groups with different backgrounds and levels of knowledge. The sessions are organized within 4 age categories: Middle School, High School, Campus/Gap Year and Adults/Community. Sessions are presented by the dynamic, diverse, StandWithUs educational team members from different locations around the world.
Expert attorneys from the StandWithUs Saidoff Legal Department are available to do briefings on issues related to students’ rights on campus when faced with discrimination, Title IV and holding university administrations accountable for antisemitism, as well as issues of international law as it relates to Israel and her neighbors. Speakers from the StandWithUs Center for Combatting Antisemitism can be booked to discuss the importance of the international standard definition of antisemitism and how people can be active to combat antisemitic activity.
“We are thrilled to present this array of quality educational content via StandWithUs Connect”, said StandWithUs CEO and co-founder Roz Rothstein. “We worked quickly to move our educational seminars online, and this experience over the past year has given us both the know-how and the capability to deliver dynamic virtual programs to audiences around the world. We are very proud of our team of educators who are inspiring people about Israel, viewing and participating from home or together with their schools, camps, synagogues, churches or community organizations.”
Another interactive aspect offered on the StandWithUs Connect platform are “StandWithUs Discover” live tours to Israel. Since the beginning of the pandemic, over 3,000 people globally have already participated in these tours, broadcast in real-time and on-site from Jerusalem’s most famous sites. Tours include a walk from the Jewish Quarter to the Western Wall, an exploration of Jerusalem’s first modern neighborhood, Mishkenot Shea’nanim, a stroll through the winding alleyways of Nachlaot, and a strategic tour in Gilo (overlooking the security barrier and Bethlehem), led by expert guides including StandWithUs Tourism Director, Yoni Zierler. The Jewish Quarter tour has been, by far, the most popular, thanks in great part to a very special feature – ahead of the tour, participants are invited to send notes for the Western Wall, and then watch as they are delivered there during the live broadcast.
Reflecting on his school’s experience in London, participating in a virtual tour to Jerusalem with StandWithUs, Mr. Simon Appleman, Vice Principal, JFS School (the largest Jewish day school in Europe) commented: “Whether you are reminding yourself of old memories or creating new ones, this tour is a must. I was privileged to participate in one of the StandWithUs tours and recommend them wholeheartedly. Interesting, educational, funny, enjoyable and moving. The perfect way to connect with our home away from home”.
Michael Dickson, StandWithUs Israel Executive Director, added: “StandWithUs Connect is an exciting new addition to our broad portfolio of digital programming. There has something for everyone and the many requests we have received in the short time since its launch demonstrates that it fills a significant need during these unprecedented times. Now more than ever, we are living our StandWithUs Connect motto, ‘if you can’t come to Israel, we will bring Israel to you.’”
For more information, please visit: https://www.standwithus.com/connect
To book a session, email connect@standwithus.com
About StandWithUs
StandWithUs (SWU) is an international, non-profit and non-partisan Israel education organization that works to inspire and educate people of all ages about Israel, as well as challenge misinformation and fight against antisemitism.
Through university fellowships, high school internships, middle school curricula, conferences, materials, social media, educational films and missions to Israel, StandWithUs supports people around the world who want to educate their schools and communities about Israel.
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Los Angeles, the organization has chapters and programs on 5 continents, including the U.S., Israel, UK, Canada, South Africa and Brazil.
For the last 7 years, SWU has consistently received the highest possible ratings from Charity Navigator (4 stars) and Guidestar (Platinum).
