Through the generosity of Marcy and Rick Cornfeld, the Jewish Student Union (JSU), in conjunction with the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, has established an endowment fund to provide scholarship dollars for teens to participate in the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) national conference.
“We wanted to help educate and inspire young people by sending them to the annual AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, D.C.,” said Rick Cornfeld, when asked why they felt it was important to establish this fund. “There is no better place to show them the importance of our country’s relationship with Israel. They see democracy in action as advocates for the Jewish state.”
JSU lay leader Michael Rauchman added, “The gift from the Cornfelds will ensure that JSU can continue to support a variety of educational activities about Israel for teens and the larger Jewish community.”
Israel engagement is proven to help teens cement their identity as Jews and their role as responsible American citizens. Through JSU, Rabbi Rovinsky and his staff guide the students in understanding the importance of Judaism in their lives and the centrality of Israel to Jewish identity. This unites them with the Jewish people here, in Israel and throughout the world.
The Cornfelds chose to establish the fund with JSU because of their longstanding relationship with the organization and its students. “We have seen their effectiveness as advocates for Israel firsthand when JSU students have joined us in meetings with our elected representatives. We knew this would be a great investment in the future of the Jewish people,” said Marcy Cornfeld.
Students who have been to AIPAC shared how meaningful the conference has become. “Not only did I learn how defend Israel on college campuses and about new Israeli innovations, but it (AIPAC) was a life changing experience that will stay with me forever,” said Dylan Vermeire, Holt High School.
“Seeing so many people come together for one cause….made me feel like I can make a difference. It inspired me to become more proactive in the Israeli cause,” said Elan Koshner, Yeshivat Kadimah High School.
If you would like to contribute to this fund, please contact Lori Wishne, Director of Planned Giving, at LWishne@JFedSTL.org or 314-442-3830.
