Oct 15, 2004 -- At their kick-off event Tuesday night, the Israel Clubs of Yeshiva College and Stern College for Women launched Teach for Israel, a program that trains YU students to teach Israel advocacy and awareness to high school students. Also at the 8 pm event in Weissberg Commons on the Wilf Campus, Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, spoke to students and answered questions about Israel, European anti-Semitism, the war on terrorism, and Islamic fundamentalism. Teach for Israel will train 20 YU students on such issues as religious Zionism, media bias, the State of Israel, and Israeli government and history. Hindy Poupko, president of Stern’s Israel Club, said the program developed from discussions with President Joel about the need for high school education on issues affecting Israel. “It aims to instill a deeper understanding of the Jewish people’s right to our homeland, while familiarizing the high school students with current issues facing Israel, American Jewry, and the pro-Israel student on college campuses,” she said. And President Joel told students they have a responsibility to advocate for what’s right. “Students in high school are so hungry for role models who can educate and inspire,” he said. “Your voices have to be raised strongly, articulately, and passionately for Israel.” Training sessions will run from Nov. 8 to Dec. 28. Instructors include Rabbi Ari Rockoff, director, Department of Community Initiatives of the Max Stern Division of Communal Services; Rabbi Yotav Eliach, principal, Rambam Mesivta High School; Rabbi Ellis Bloch, director, yeshiva/day schools, Board of Jewish Education; Betty Ehrenberg, director, Institute of Public Affairs, Orthodox Union of Jewish Congregations; Mitchell Bard, author and executive director, American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise; Sharon Tzur, director, Media Watch International; Johnny Krug, adjunct assistant professor, Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration; and Yaakov Green, director, Jewish Student Union. After completing training, fellows will conduct informal programs for seniors in yeshiva high schools. Applications are available until Oct. 28 in the MSDCS office on the Wilf Campus in Furst Hall, Room 413. Teach for Israel is a project of the YU Israel Club, the Association of Modern Orthodox Day Schools, the Max Stern Division of Communal Services, the Board of Jewish Education, and Yavneh Olami. It is supported by the Yeshiva University President’s Circle.