Spring Break
Calling for a Cause
Erit Sterling
Issue date: 11/27/07 Section: Israel
- Page 1 of 1
On November 1, 2007, the Yeshiva University Public Action Committee (YUPAC) held a phone-a-thon, in which students contacted their district representatives to thank them for signing the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act. The program, which was co-sponsored by SCWSC and YSU, enabled undergraduates to show gratitude to Congress for their continuing effort in the battle against terrorism, in which the United States and the State of Israel are allies.
The Iran Sanctions Enabling Act was introduced in Congress on May 15, 2007 by Representatives Barney Frank and Tom Lantos and Senator Barack Obama. It requires the United States government to publish a list of companies investing large sums of money in the Iranian energy industry every six months. This list is intended to censor the Iranian government. The censorship prevents state and local governments from investing in companies that sponsor terrorism and develop nuclear weapons in Iran. The bill was passed in the House of Representatives on July 31, 2007.
The phone-a-thon event presented students with an easy and accessible opportunity to show state representatives their approval for the newly sanctioned bill. Without stepping foot off campus grounds, students were able to communicate their views to state representatives through the routine task of a telephone call.
"We thought it was an important way to show students that by doing something easy, such as picking up the phone, they can make an important contribution," said Yael Wolynetz (SCW '08), co-president of YUPAC.
A continuous flow of students visited the table in Levy Lobby, between classes or on the way to lunch.
The phone-a-thon drew a lot of positive feedback from students as well as representatives of Congress. "We got a really good response, and it's been really empowering and inspiring watching people actually take a moment to call," observed Liatte Tsarfati (SCW '11), a member of YUPAC who helped facilitate the phone calls. Tsarfati feels that people often verbalize support for Israel without taking action, and emphasized that, "it is very important to be active about it."
Students who participated in the phone-a-thon expressed a desire to take action in support of Israel.
"I think it is important for the Congresspeople to know that people care about Israel," said Rachel Spero (SCW '09), "and they will base decisions on that [knowledge that they have active supporters], and vote in favor of Israel so they won't jeopardize their [own] votes."
By calling individual members of Congress, students hoped to encourage future support of Israel, on a national and even global level.
"It's not just about the big gestures," commented Wolynetz. "Small things like this also make a difference. We want to empower students to show them that they have the ability [to make that difference]."
The Iran Sanctions Enabling Act was introduced in Congress on May 15, 2007 by Representatives Barney Frank and Tom Lantos and Senator Barack Obama. It requires the United States government to publish a list of companies investing large sums of money in the Iranian energy industry every six months. This list is intended to censor the Iranian government. The censorship prevents state and local governments from investing in companies that sponsor terrorism and develop nuclear weapons in Iran. The bill was passed in the House of Representatives on July 31, 2007.
The phone-a-thon event presented students with an easy and accessible opportunity to show state representatives their approval for the newly sanctioned bill. Without stepping foot off campus grounds, students were able to communicate their views to state representatives through the routine task of a telephone call.
"We thought it was an important way to show students that by doing something easy, such as picking up the phone, they can make an important contribution," said Yael Wolynetz (SCW '08), co-president of YUPAC.
A continuous flow of students visited the table in Levy Lobby, between classes or on the way to lunch.
The phone-a-thon drew a lot of positive feedback from students as well as representatives of Congress. "We got a really good response, and it's been really empowering and inspiring watching people actually take a moment to call," observed Liatte Tsarfati (SCW '11), a member of YUPAC who helped facilitate the phone calls. Tsarfati feels that people often verbalize support for Israel without taking action, and emphasized that, "it is very important to be active about it."
Students who participated in the phone-a-thon expressed a desire to take action in support of Israel.
"I think it is important for the Congresspeople to know that people care about Israel," said Rachel Spero (SCW '09), "and they will base decisions on that [knowledge that they have active supporters], and vote in favor of Israel so they won't jeopardize their [own] votes."
By calling individual members of Congress, students hoped to encourage future support of Israel, on a national and even global level.
"It's not just about the big gestures," commented Wolynetz. "Small things like this also make a difference. We want to empower students to show them that they have the ability [to make that difference]."
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