Flatbush Lobbies Washington

 On Tuesday, November 29, 2016, The Israel Activism Commission under the leadership of commissioners Ben Wade and Amanda Heskiel along with Mr. Rothbort and Senora Shterenzer, journeyed to Washington D.C. along with 45 students to lobby three congressional offices and one senate office regarding the American Israel relationship. The students were divided into four groups, each of whom were all sent to different offices, including the office of Senator Chuck Schumer, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Congressman Peter King, and Congresswoman Kathleen Rice. Upon arrival in the capitol, the Israel Activism students headed to AIPAC’s (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) headquarters in Washington to participate in a lobbying preparation session with some of AIPAC’s best lobbyists and student coordinators.

Once the session was complete, the students headed to their lobbying appointments, which were extremely successful. We were able to participate in a political process that only one percent of Americans take advantage of. Not only were our appointments successful, but the senate legislation that we lobbied in support of, the Iran Sanctions Extension Act, was passed two days later by a unanimous majority. 

The students then proceeded to the Supreme Court for an amazing and very education tour of our nation’s most powerful court, which was an amazing learning experience for the students. We then went to the steps of the capitol to take an amazing picture of the commission to conclude our day in Washington. Once we returned to the buses, we enjoyed an amazing dinner from Char Bar, one of the best kosher burger restaurant’s in Washington D.C, and headed back to Brooklyn. ~Ben Wade, Class of 2017

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