Michael Berkowitz states the facts about Israel very clearly and articulately and he is correct in thinking that day school students should know these facts as well. Most students probably posses excellent passive knowledge of those Israel facts and will nod in agreement when hearing someone else state them. The question is however, how clear thinking and articulate are students when accosted by hostile and adversarial positions? The fact that so many students react like dear in headlights when they find themselves confronted with pro-Palestinian advocates tells us that they are not prepared to transfer the passive knowledge into active useful knowledge. For that reason it would seem beneficial to introduce classes on how to defend Israel when others tell lies. Just as Tanach is taught repeatedly throughout the school years at deeper levels as is appropriate with age, so too should Israel Advocacy be taught during the 4 years of high school, with deeper levels of understanding and increased practice for discussion. Students want to feel more prepared to defend Israel on campus. They should be offered the tools to do so.
Tani Foger
