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Thousands of Students Rally for Israel
April 17, 2002Comments (0) | Add | E-mail this to a friend  From Madison, Wisc. and Bloomington, Ind. to Miami and Boston, a student delegation thousands strong traveled to Washington, D.C. April 15, 2002, to participate in the largest Israel solidarity rally in the capital's history.
Many traveled overnight on buses to attend the Israel Solidarity Rally on the U.S. Capitol grounds. Mira Kogen, a student at Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary who addressed the Rally, summed up the theme of the day: "Regardless of where we live, regardless of what we believe, wherever we stand, we stand with Israel."
Kogen, a sophomore from Los Angeles, was among such speakers as former Israel Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel Minister of Housing Natan Sharansky, author Elie Wiesel and former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
"It's amazing to be here," said Wellesley College student Daniella Kevelson. "The last time I was in D.C. was for the Rally for Soviet Jewry. This is one of the best ways to show our support for Israel."
The mobilization effort began only a week ago, and Hillels immediately took action, renting buses and airplanes, creating signs, stickers and banners, and recruiting students. Monday morning 66 buses arrived at RFK Stadium, including students from Toronto, Chicago, Providence and Ithaca.
 "What struck me most was the students I met from Wisconsin and Indiana," said NYU student Craig Cohen. "It's amazing to feel the spirit and to unite with the other Hillels. Am Yisrael (the people of Israel). I hope this bring peace to our lives."
Hillel will continue its solidarity with the State of Israel. In addition to the ongoing work of its Campus Israel Affairs Department, Hillel will bring 250 students to Israel in May on a special solidarity mission; raise money for the United Jewish communities' emergency Israel campaign and raise funds from students across the country to purchase an armored ambulance for Magen David Adom, Israel's equivalent to the Red Cross.
"This rally was an amazing success," said Eric Fish, a student at Brandeis University. "I hope this will make a difference."
See more photos and coverage of the Rally.
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