During the month of January, we are highlighting new youth professionals that are new in their roles. Meet Adam, the Midwest high school coordinator for StandWithUS. 

Adam grew up in the north Chicago suburbs, and graduated from Indiana University with his B.A. in History and Jewish Studies. He is excited to share his passion for Israel with students and the community in his region. 

 His love of Israel started at home, but developed through involvement in USY, at Camp Ramah, and during the Nativ College Leadership Program - Gap Year in Israel, where he volunteered outside Haifa.  Motivated by his experiences, Adam returned to college and instantly got involved with Indiana's pro-Israel community.

 As the President of Hillel at Indiana University, a legislative intern with the Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council, a youth advisor in Chicago, or as an Assistant Director of BBYO Passport, Adam has repeatedly exhibited his personal commitment to experiential education, community engagement, and teen leadership development over the past decade. 

 Through StandWithUs, Adam is educating and empowering students to enhance their personal connections to Israel and speak out against antisemitism and extremism.  More than ever, we need our students to ask more questions, engage in complicated discussions, and commit themselves to fact-based education.

 One such opportunity is to join StandWithUs’ Teen Leadership Council (TLC) for students 9^th-12^th grades. In key cities around the Midwest, SWU is setting up TLC’s to provide students the opportunity to further their Israel knowledge, plan innovative programming with their peers, and ensure that their community is connected to Israel. 

 The four-month long program includes: mentorship in leadership skills and community building, access to StandWithUs speakers and materials, and connection to teens in the region with similar goals and aspirations.

 Whether students are seeking their first leadership position, or are already involved, TLC is a professional leadership experience that will surely enhance their Israel programming capabilities.  In addition, TLC prepares them for the challenges they may face at university and in their community regarding Israel.

Program Requirements:

-Attend a total of four mandatory monthly meetings (January - April) with Adam and the other TLC members (via Google Hangout)

-Attend bi-monthly one-on-one meetings with Adam to receive individual professional mentorship (via Google Hangout or in person)

-Collaborate with other members of the TLC to plan and execute a region-wide teen event focused on Israel education

-Plan a minimum of one Israel event in their community

-Stay in regular contact with the TLC and with Adam 

 Are you a high school student or know a student who is interested in working with StandWithUs and educating about Israel? Reach out to Adam today via adamb@standwithus.com . 

 Applications for the spring session of the Teen Leadership Council are currently open, and nominations for the StandWithUs High School Internship  will open on Monday, January 14, 2019.