Rutgers Hillel Center for Israel Engagement Supporting Student Leaders

As a student leader from the pro-Israel community at Rutgers, working with the Rutgers Hillel Center for Israel Engagement (RHCIE) has made it possible for me to take my passion for Israel to the next level. The center provides students from the Rutgers community with knowledge and the tools that are essential to reaching out.

Oren second from the right

Before meeting Tzvi and Lihi at RHCIE, I did not know how to engage others in supporting the Jewish State. After returning from my Birthright trip, I struggled to recruit some of my fraternity brothers to go with Rutgers Hillel to Israel for the next session. Through the guidance of RHCIE, I learned that it was imperative to not talk about what I did on my trip to my friends, but why I am a pro-Israel student advocate and why they should take advantage of such a great program. Nonetheless, after explaining the ‘why’ and not the ‘what’ I was able to recruit two of my fraternity brothers for the upcoming summer session and they absolutely loved it. That is one of many clear examples how RHCIE has served to channel my passions for Israel into an effective advocacy to widen our base of pro-Israel students on campus.

(By Oren Auslin)