At San Diego State, the Road to Activism Begins on a Bus

By Melissa Rauch, ICB Reporter

For many students, the path to campus activism begins with Birthright registration. That’s why members of the pro-Israel community at San Diego State University and others are so focused on filling Birthright buses next winter.

Members of the community hope to make a statement by sending even more students than it did last year on the 10-day trip to Israel.

It’s never too early to make winter plans. Students and staff at San Diego State University are already preparing to fill the Birthright bus. While winter break may seem far in the distance, the application season will open sooner than expected.

Incoming junior Zachary Hoffman is working with ‘Aztecs for Israel’ and Hillel to make sure everyone will get a chance to sign up if they haven’t yet taken the leap to Israel.

"We are planning a huge, fun event to try and get students to apply for Birthright this upcoming winter,” Hoffman said. “Last year we were able to fill an entire bus with just San Diego State students, and we hope to do the same this year."

The full bus consisted of 42 SDSU students, and Hoffman aims to match that achievement again this year. And the plans don’t stop at winter; SDSU intends to fill another Birthright bus with students next summer.

Hoffman said the trips make a huge impact on students. Many return with newfound interest in Judaism.

“There have been a few cases where students have come back, and after a few years they have gone into the Israeli Defense Force,” he explained.

That’s exactly what happened to Jason Edney, who got involved in campus Israel activism after Birthright. He participated in Hasbara Fellowships training, and is currently active in SDSU’s pro-Israel community. Last June, he joined the Lone Soldier program, and he plans to enlist in the IDF soon.

After school resumes, Hillel at SDSU will host an event on September 14 that will feature Israeli food and dancing, and will have computers that students can use to register for a spot on the SDSU Winter Birthright bus.

The Aztecs are making sure that every Jewish student has the opportunity to fulfill their rite of passage by visiting Israel.

For more information about Birthright, students should contact their local campus Hillel.