KDLHS launches ‘Advocates for Israel’ initiative

ANT KATZ

This, says Amber, is particularly important “when they leave school and face the inevitable anti-Semitism on university campuses”.

Ben Swartz, national chairman of the SA Zionist Federation, will be the guest speaker at the school’s special assembly.

“I originally had the idea when a teacher at the school asked me what it is I want to leave with the students when I leave the school having completed my year as head girl,” Amber told Jewish Report.

Turning an idea into reality is another thing. To make it happen, Amber was joined by head boy Shane Bassin. The pair enlisted the help of the school’s Judaica Committee, which was tasked with sourcing and compiling the material.

Because Zionism is a major pillar on which King David Schools stand, she says, the programme quickly gained support and momentum among pupils. “So many people wanted to be a part of it,” she says.

Everyone is excited and looking forward to the launch. “We are confident that all the work and time that has been devoted to this project will be appreciated by the students,” says Amber.

More important than simply advocating, says Amber, their aim is” to be able to tell Israel’s story and spread her truth – ensuring strength and protection for Jews outside of our school, our community, and our country”.

This, they intend to achieve by standing up to anti-Semitism using the most powerful weapon available to them – education and knowledge.

“We will equip the school with information about political, religious, cultural, biblical and modern Israel,” she says.

The hope of the organisers is to get the initiative successfully launched at King David Linksfield, and that “other Jewish day schools will want to link on and do the same for their schools”.