Alumni Perspective: Talia Lepson

Published on May 1, 2013 in the Temple Israel Bulletin, when Talia was in her first year at Brandeis University.

Why I Attended the First-Ever J Street U Student Leadership Summit

By Talia Lepson, Brandeis Class of 2016, 5772 RYFTI Co-President

Talia, speaking from the bimah at her RYFTI Graduation in 2012

On March 16, 2013, I was among hundreds of students from various colleges and universities across the United States who gathered in Washington, D.C. to attend the first ever J Street U Student Leadership Summit.  We were all moved to attend because we care about peace in the Middle East.  The Summit brought us together for three days of strategizing, workshops, and discussions on the most pressing issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  J Street U is the student organizing arm of J Street, the political home for pro-Israel, pro-Palestinian, pro-peace Americans.  J Street U strives to increase support among college students for a two-state solution with the Palestinian people.  Israel’s Jewish and democratic character depends on the creation of a two-state solution, resulting in a Palestinian state living alongside Israel in peace.

I’m currently a first year student at Brandeis University.  I’m not Israeli, nor do I have any family currently living in Israel or in the occupied territories.  Growing up, my parents encouraged me to develop a connection to the state of Israel.  They also warned me that the policies currently being put forth by the Israeli government are unjust, and proceeded to teach me about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  I understood intellectually from a young age that the country I was supposed to love and cherish was terribly messed up.  But until I went to Israel and saw the injustice with my own eyes, I wasn’t emotionally invested in the fight for peace.

I became so invested on my “NFTY in Israel” trip in the summer of 2010.  One beautiful summer morning, my group members and I visited a mosque in Abu Gosh, a village outside of Jerusalem.  The imam of the mosque spoke to us about Islam and life as an Arab-Israeli citizen.  He spoke about being treated as a second-class citizen, constantly facing discrimination and hatred from Jewish Israelis.  In the middle of his remarks, several Israeli counselors interrupted to yell at him for deliberately trying to deceive us.  I was confused. What exactly was going on in Israel?  After conducting some independent research back home, I was horrified at what I saw.  Israel’s current policies of settlement expansion, occupation of the West Bank, and maltreatment of the Palestinian people are both unsustainable and unjust.  J Street U Brandeis has provided me with a space to vocalize my concerns about these issues, discuss the conflict, and mobilize for change on campus.

Prior to participating in the Student Leadership Summit, I had never attended a J Street U national event.  I was originally a bit apprehensive about missing an exciting weekend on campus with my friends to spend a weekend discussing a depressing and seemingly irresolvable conflict.  However, the various Israeli, Palestinian, and American academics, elected officials, and non-profit heads that spoke to us that weekend had a genuine desire for peace—and peace right now.  It was amazing to be able to discuss and debate their ideas with hundreds of other students across the nation.  The students’ enthusiasm was contagious and inspirational.  I left the weekend feeling optimistic and inspired, ready to continue the fight for peace.