Washington — The mood was electrifying as Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) addressed more than 2,000 Jewish men and women, including four Milwaukeeans, at the start of the 13th biennial United Jewish Communities National Young Leadership Conference held in Washington, D.C., Feb. 10-12.
Young men and women gathered under their state signs, which gave the ballroom of the Washington Hilton & Towers the feeling of a political convention. It was a comparison not lost on Lieberman, who said, “I don’t think I felt this much energy and passion in a room since I accepted the vice presidential nomination at the convention in Los Angeles.”
“Energy and passion” best sum up the conference for the Milwaukeeans — Jacob Brennan, Phillip Katz and Susan Angell Miller — who with me attended under the auspices of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. We came away energized about our ability to make a difference, confident in the power of our words and actions, and enthusiastic about our connection to Judaism and democracy.
“It was amazing being with more than 2,000 Jewish women and men who all actively care about their Jewish communities and seem to enjoy making a difference,” said Miller.
Added Katz, “These were 2,000 national young leaders who were concerned with the vital issues facing our community during a very interesting time in world history.”
The conference offered young leaders, ages 25-45, the opportunity to learn from an array of distinguished American, Israeli and Jewish political, media and community figures, with a goal of strengthening their commitment to and involvement in the Jewish community.
The opening plenary event, which featured Lieberman, comedian/actor Richard Lewis and Rabbi/author M. Gary Neuman, set the tone for the inspiration to come.
Lieberman compelled the attendees to embrace leadership and service. “The most powerful force in our society,” he said, “is the electromagnetic pull of individual example. The strength of human example is so powerful because it encourages others to do what deep inside their souls they know is right, but may not have had the courage to act on. That’s leadership, that’s what you are doing today, and what you are capable of tomorrow.”
Lobbying the Hill
The impact of the violence in the Middle East and the Sept. 11 tragedies was a powerful theme during the conference, and one U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) addressed before the attendees left to spend a morning lobbying elected officials on Capitol Hill.
“America has always used times of challenge to strengthen our democracy,” said Daschle. “On Sept. 11, we learned the full extent of the danger terrorists pose. That is why Congress and the President have been united as never before to protect our nation, and prosecute the war on terror…. And make no mistake — we will win.
“And we will win with the support of a nation [Israel] who knows all too well the challenges we are facing. This has been a harrowing time … [b]ut in some ways it has strengthened the special relationship between our two nations. Just as Israel has stood with us in this war on terrorism, we need to stand with Israel.”
Of the Hill visits, which were arranged by the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, Miller said: “I especially enjoyed meeting with representatives from Senators’ Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold and Rep. Tom Barrett’s offices. We advocated for continued support of Israel, continuation of funds for social service programs and a guarantee of religious freedom around the world. I saw first-hand how our opinions were respected and taken into consideration, and it makes me want to encourage everyone to call or write their congressmen to express their own opinions.”
“It was a highlight partaking in the formal and informal learning that went on at the conference about Jewish life, about Israel and about other important current topics,” said Brennan. “And to then have the ability to turn some of that knowledge into influencing our legislative process by going to the Hill was very powerful.
“Everyone should have an organized lobbying experience at least once in their life. It helps de-mystify the process of how we can communicate with our leaders.”
The Capitol Hill visit illustrated how every call, e-mail and letter to an elected official’s office voicing an opinion is tabulated on a computer and the results presented daily to the legislator. Here was first-hand proof that every voice truly makes a difference.
The conference was perhaps best summed up by Lieberman, who said that a precondition to service and leadership is “the capacity to have dreams.”
“Judaism is all about dreams,” he said. “It is about a vision of a future that is more perfect than the present.
“Remember the words from Pirke Avot [Ethics of the Fathers] … which … seem to be particularly relevant — that ‘the day is short and there is much work to be done, and even though we may not be able to complete the task, that is not justification for withdrawing ourselves from it.’”
Susan Heymann is a public relations professional who volunteers with the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and other organizations.
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