"Inspiring Jewish Greatness" by Andi Heffez

we welcome the first speaker who is any offense from me or George Washington University and she's actually one of our official all of the ambassadors hi everyone good evening last semester the unthinkable happen BDS came to GW a campus in which 30 percent of the student body is Jewish despite that a victorious BDS campaign anti BDS campaign happened but through it all I did not have a clear reason as Hawaii it meant so much to me and why I was pouring so much time and effort into the fight also last semester my mine your campus rabbi recruited me to go in the hall on me when you were Israel Israeli trip funded by Morocco on that trip I gave meaningful knowledge that gave me a better sense to understand my Judaism but more than that and gave me invaluable experiences to own my Jewish story more specifically I was in Israel last summer onyomi racial ID and that day changed my life forever I finally realized what Jerusalem and Israel meant for us the Jewish people I danced in the streets with fellow Jews young and old I thing at the top of my lungs I think took their Israeli flag off their back and wrapped it around mine I was boosted up onto bus size by young Israelis to dance with them I saw that this was the one place that protects and invigorate our Jewish customs and traditions I've never felt more connected to the Jewish people than I felt that day my Maori Israel experience gave me a reunited connection to Israel that rien spired me to go back on campus and advocate her half but more than that because of the deep connection I felt the Jewish people on the streets of your Salina I came home with the intention and promise to keep Shabbat now I believe Jewish greatness means that I'm able to experience my own Judaism and share it with others in hopes of inspiring someone else to own their Jewish story - and that is exactly what I have the honor of doing as an alum II campus ambassador this year at GW now something soon I hope to give back dancing on the streets of your shrine with each and every one of you and each of the students I have the honor of engaging back on campus every day thank you [Applause]