Mitchell Bard Lecture/Reception

On February 18, 2010, Dr. Mitchell Bard of the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise (AICE) came to our University to meet student leaders and give a lecture on the successes and failures of the Obama Administration's Middle East policy.

Dr. Bard first met with students, including the President of the University Democrats, the Chairwoman-elect of the College Republicans, representatives of Honor and the University Judiciary Committee, etc., with whom he spoke candidly about the top myths surrounding the Arab-Israeli conflict and what the real facts are.

Following the reception, Dr. Bard gave a lecture entitled "The Obama Mideast Policy: A Bridge to Peace or Nowhere," in which he argued that Obama's current policy has angered both the Israelis and the Arabs involved in the conflict. He also emphasized the role of United States, Israel, and the Palestinian Authority, arguing that others have no real influence over how peace is achieved.

Study Abroad in Israel Approved!

The following email was sent out by HFI President, Keenan Davis, on February 18, 2010:

As many of you already know, over the last few years, our organization has been striving persistently and unyieldingly to change UVa's policy preventing study abroad in Israel. Our leadership has held meetings with University administrators, conducted international conference calls, submitted "official inquiries," and suffered harsh reprimand. Some of us ignored UVa policy and studied in Israel anyway. We have all wanted to see this policy changed both to reflect the will of the student body and to promote the University of Virginia's standing as a globally-minded institution committed to academic freedom. At this time, I am inexpressibly pleased to announce that our efforts have not been in vain. UVa's International Studies Office and the Director of Special Academic Programs today emailed me that our university has officially recognized and sanctioned study abroad to Israel. There is indeed still progress to be made. Currently, we are only permitted to travel through non-UVa programs. Yet, I am hopeful that in the future it will be possible to establish a direct program between our university and an Israeli institution such as Hebrew University of Jerusalem. However, presently, I am more than pleased with the steps that our own fine institution has taken.

I would like to thank the University of Virginia for seriously considering our appeals and for conceding to our requests. Furthermore, Alon Confino, Asher Biemann and the Jewish Studies Program at UVa deserve hearty and genuine appreciation. Without their sincere efforts, this would have been absolutely impossible. Thanks also to the Hoos for Israel board members of the past few semesters for assuming the roles necessary to effect change properly. Finally, thanks to all who signed petitions, voiced approval or supported our efforts in any way. You all served as the true motivating factors and it was your voice that was heard.

Advocacy Training with Neil Lazarus

On February 16th, 2010, HFI board members and several others were lucky enough to have Neil Lazarus come in and run an advocacy training workshop. Mr. Lazarus is a leading expert on the Middle East conflict and is renowned for his skills in communication and advocacy.
Mr. Lazarus combined his humor, knowledge, and communication skills to relate to those in attendance important lessons in advocacy, particularly on campus. We learned tricks of rhetoric, the importance of advertising to specific audiences, and how to create appealing and effective angles for certain arguments.

Gil Siegal Lecture

On February 15th, 2010, Gil Siegal of the UVA Law Department gave a lecture concerning Jewish bioethics, particularly in the State of Israel. He spoke about the process of maintaining medical ethics laws in a state which values religious authority.
The audience learned how the Judaic value of the dignity of life resides above all when it comes to medical treatment, and heard case comparisons with the United States and other nations.
Dr. Siegal also spent some time on the issue of abortion and in-vitro fertilization in Israel, and noted that Israel has the most IVF clinics per capita in the world, and attracts medical tourists for other services as well.
The lecture shed light on some of the issues with having dual authorities of state and religion, and how they intersect.

Save A Child's Heart Chocolate Lollipop Sale

During the week of February 8-12, 2010, Members of Hoos for Israel, Sigma Delta sorority, and APO fraternity helped bake chocolate heart- shaped lollipops and other baked goods to sell as a fundraiser for Save A Child's Heart, an organization which provides free heart surgery for children under the age of eight who live in countries without good medical care. The children are flown into Israel, given the surgery they need, and given time to convalesce before being sent home--all free of cost. After tabling on the Lawn, outside the Chemistry Building, and inside Newcomb Hall, HFI successfully raised over $1000 for this organization.

(Sponsored by: Hasbara Fellowships)

Save a Child’s Heart (SACH) is an Israeli-based international humanitarian project, whose mission is to improve the quality of pediatric cardiac care for children from developing countries who suffer from heart disease and to create centers of competence in these countries. SACH is totally dedicated to the idea that every child deserves the best medical treatment available, regardless of the child's nationality, religion, color, gender or financial situation.


SACH is motivated by the age-old Jewish tradition of Tikkun Olam – repairing the world. By mending the hearts of children, regardless of their origin, SACH is contributing to a better and more peaceful future for all of our children.


The SACH mission is achieved through:
- Providing life-saving cardiac surgery and other life saving procedures for children from developing countries at the Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, Israel;
- Providing a full outreach training program for the medical personnel from these countries in Israel;
- Leading surgical and teaching missions to partner countries in the developing world;
- Holding pre-operative and follow-up cardiology clinics in Israel and abroad.

Learn more at www.saveachildsheart.org!