Israeli Soldiers to Share Experience at USC Hillel
"I think this is a great event. A lot of people don't know what's going on in the Middle East. These people were actually there and experienced it everyday," said Sabrina Aziz, a senior at USC.
StandWithUs lauched its fifth annual "Israeli Soldiers Stories" (ISS) in February, featuring 12 Israeli college students of reserve duty. They will give speeches thoughout U.S. from February 17 to March 2.
"I think it's a great learning experience for all different types of people," said Aziz.
SC Students for Israel is putting on the event at USC Hillel.
"We want to represent what the IDF is all about, because usually in the media it isn't portrayed as it should be. It's a very humane army. That's not really represented in the mediaa as it should be," said Jessica Shomof, the President of SC Students for Israel.
Each soldier has a personal story of conflict in the military, such as facing an enemy that hides behind its civilians. Participants also have experience in Gaza or Lebanon.
"I think we should have more events like this. It's a great thing for the school to put on," explained Aziz.
"We're bringing these soldiers to really bring their hand on hand experience, what they've done to help humanity," explaiend Shomof.
"These soldiers had to confront an enemy that violates international laws by putting its own civilians in jeopardy by placing fighters in civilian areas," explained Roz Rothstein, co-founder and CEO of StandWithUs.
They want to share their stories to educate, inform, and delve into conversation about the Israeli-Arab conflict.
"For a lot of people they will get to hear first hand what goes on from people that not just live in the country but experience it. They are fighting for their country and see the behind the scenes. This will really impact people to let them learn what it feels like to live in the Middle East.
"We are so disconnected in America. A lot of students don't even have this on their radar. It's always good to know more about the world," said Aziz.
"I just hope everyone will get a better understanding of what Israel is, what it stands for and what the IDF is," said Shomof. "I want people to open their eyes, learn a little more about the situation and what's really happening, not just listening to what anybody says."
Adam and Kinneret are the two soldiers who will speak tonight.
Adam is an alumnus of the StandWithUs Israel Fellowship. He was drafted in 2000 and was an officer in the IDF. Adam dealt directly with Palestinian-Arab and international representatives in Disputed Territories. He currently serves as the head of the International Organizations and Diplomatic Missions Department in the military.
Kinneret also graduate from the StandWithUs Israel Fellowship. She served in the IDF duiring the second Lebanon war in 2006. When the war broke out she rushed to Zfat a northern city under constant rocket attack at that time. She is currently finishing her B.A. in Political Communications in Tel Aviv Academic College.
Adam and Kinneret are booked at many other universities, churches, synagogues, and high schools.
