The participants in this year's AIPAC National Policy Conference in Washington were duly impressed by the extensive student involvement in the conference. With more than 850 students in attendance, organizers of the conference were pleased with the student turnout, save in one area. How could it be, wondered conference officials - among them one member of Yeshiva's Board of Trustees - that among 850 students, only 12 traveled from Yeshiva University to participate? In fact, during the course of his remarks delivered at a student breakfast, AIPAC Executive Director Howard Kohr specifically noted the surprisingly "few yarmulkes and long skirts" at the conference.
While the twelve members of this year's Yeshiva contingent represent a twelve-fold increase from last year's paltry turnout, that number would have been significantly larger - and could have possibly matched the delegations from other comparable schools - had the University chosen not to formally deny the much-needed financial support to subsidize this worthy cause. The AIPAC conference was and will continue to be an opportunity for the administration to recognize both the importance of pro-Israel activism and the need for Yeshiva representation at a conference of over 2,300 concerned Jews from across the nation. The scenario that took place this year, in which attendees of the AIPAC conference found themselves questioning the dedication of the religious community towards our homeland, was a disgraceful occurrence that should not be repeated. This time it's your turn to pay. We'll meet you in the lobby.