The Center for Israel Education and more than a dozen partners invite high school juniors and seniors to attend a free, in-person program Sunday, Aug. 30, to prepare them for the college application process and campus life as Jewish students at a time of rising anti-Israel and anti-Jewish pressures.
A separate discussion for parents will be held during the final hour of the three-hour event.
“Starting College with Confidence: Practical Prep for Academic and Jewish Success and Israel on Campus” will feature admissions experts, campus professionals, professors, community leaders and college students offering their perspectives and advice on choosing the right college, being proudly Jewish away from home, handling classroom encounters, managing controversies and embracing Israel conversations. The goal is to help each student get the most out of the college years.
“Teaching, advising and mentoring for 47 years in college has taught me how complicated and important these four years are for students,” says Ken Stein, CIE’s founding president and chief content officer and an emeritus Emory University professor. “Sharing our thoughts and insights could make a difference.”
Besides Stein, scheduled speakers include college students Emma Davis of Kennesaw State and Elie Rice and Masha Sukhomlinova of Emory; regional leaders Todd Young of the Anti-Defamation League and Dov Wilker of the American Jewish Committee; professor Eric Castater of Kennesaw State; and retired Emory professors Marshall Duke and Harvey Klehr. Students should expect to leave with tools, knowledge and connections to enhance their college experience.
CIE, ADL, AJC, the Atlanta Rabbinical Association, Hillels of Georgia and others held a similar program last August. With more sponsoring organizations, including half a dozen synagogues, this version is being expanded to three hours, from 4 to 7 p.m., and providing a pizza dinner.
The separate, on-site session for parents from 6 to 7 p.m. will address their questions about college choices and campus life, including Jewish resources, support and safety.
In addition to the ADL, AJC, ARA and Hillel, program partners include Chabad Intown, Congregations B’nai Torah, Etz Chaim, Or Hadash and Shearith Israel, Jewish Community Relations Council of Atlanta, Jewish Educational Loan Fund, Mothers Against Campus Antisemitism, SHIELD, The Temple, Temples Emanu-El, Kol Emeth and Sinai, and The Weber School.
Students and parents can register on the same form at israeled.org/precollege-program. The location in Sandy Springs will be provided to those who sign up.
