Volume 67, Issue 7

MacPAC Aims To Politicize Yeshiva
AIPAC’s Political Leadership Director Successfully Motivates Students
by Jonathan Richton

Pro-Israel activists on Yeshiva’s campus recently had the opportunity to hear from Jonathan Kessler, the Director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (AIPAC) Political Leadership Program and perhaps the premier man in America affecting the perception of the U.S.-Israel relationship on college campuses nationwide. 

Kessler spoke to approximately fifty-five members of the Israel Club and other leaders of Israel activism from both campuses on Tuesday, December 10. He believes that Yeshiva students do not fully realize the ability they possess to influence policy decisions made in Washington on a daily basis. “The road to Palestine runs through Washington, and the road to Washington runs through college campuses,” Kessler said emphatically.

Kessler’s presentation focused on trying to impart a sense of urgency to the attendees with regard to the “volatile” US-Israel relationship.  He pointed out that although rallies and other similar events are important, U.S.-Israel relations will collapse if students on campuses don’t start getting involved in the political process. “He reminded me that even on a campus such as YU’s, where everyone is pro-Israel, it is still important to get involved,” said one Yeshiva College sophomore. 

Kessler’s visit was coordinated by YC junior Kevin Cyrulnik, AIPAC’s on-campus liaison and a former summer intern in their Washington office.  Cyrulnik organized the event under the auspices of MacPAC, Yeshiva’s official Political Action Committee.  The objective of MacPAC is to get students on campus more politically active in supporting the U.S.-Israel relationship. “We hope that this will be YU’s initiation into the political realm,” said Cyrulnik, who is the president of MacPAC in 2003. “This program is going to make history and change YU forever.”  It is in this capacity that MacPAC brings something unique to campus, taking the ideals of the Israel Club with a political spin.  

To that end, MacPAC has currently initiated two goals on campus.  The first of which is a petition that is being circulated throughout both campuses, asking for students to sign and declare their “unconditional support for the State of Israel.” There are similar petitions on sixty college campuses across the nation, and, to date, more than 40,000 students have signed on. The ultimate goal is for the various university AIPAC liaisons to present their petitions to congressmen and senators from their respective states.  It is estimated that in a few months, when the petition campaign concludes, 140,000 college students will have actively affirmed their support for the state of Israel and its relationship with the U.S. 

In addition, Cyrulnik hopes to raise close to $20,000, amounting to ten dollars per student, to give to congressmen from states with small Jewish populations. “Money buys access to the table,” says Kessler.  Together, Kessler and Cyrulnik have developed a long-term plan for divvying out the collected money, ensuring the presence of Yeshiva’s voice, and consequently, the modern orthodox voice, in Congress.  “This money will allow us to convey to various congressmen just how important Israel is to the U.S.,” concluded Cyrulnik.

Throughout the speech, students asked Kessler to advise them on how to educate Congress, if ultimately presented with the opportunity to lobby.  Kessler purports that the main goal when dealing with Congress is to discuss issues concerning ties between the two nations (Israel and America). In the fiscal year 2002, Israel is expected to receive 2.76 billion from the U.S. (2.04 billion in military assistance and 720 million in economic aid).  “If we weren’t politically active, would U.S. aid to Israel eventually stop?  wondered Kessler.  “I don’t know, and I hope I never find out.” 

Kessler’s interactive discussion, which was geared toward a specific group of students, was well received by most in attendance. “His speech was well delivered,” said YC Sophomore Shaya Lerner. “He got the message across that the relationship between Israel and America is very good, and it is up to us to maintain it, or even help improve it.”

Others took the message a step further, attempting to convey just how crucial our involvement is.  “I think Kessler articulated very well the point that if you claim to care about Israel, you have to do more than simply yell at people more left-wing than you. Political activity within the United States government is sorely needed, and I hope that Kessler's talk inspires more of such activity on our campus."

Cyrulnik plans on commencing the donation campaign immediately after Yeshiva returns in the spring semester.  As for now, he has said that the petition has already proven to be a success, gaining upwards of 1,000 signatures. 

For more information about MacPAC, and to help with either campaign, contact Kevin Cyrulnik at Kac23@aol.com. ♦

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