Micah Halpern, syndicated columnist and acclaimed expert on terror in the Middle East, addressed the Las Vegas community on March 13 as part of Jewish National Fund’s (JNF) Caravan for Democracy (CFD) program. Halpern spoke to students and parents at the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G Adelson Educational Campus, and students of the Gesher Group at Congregation Ner Tamid.
Caravan for Democracy is an initiative of Jewish National Fund and Media Watch International that empowers high school students to respond to anti-Israel acts and rhetoric in an intelligent and informed manner during their time attending college. This is done by bringing different speakers to discuss the issues affecting Israel, how it is covered in the media, and its unique role as the only democracy in the Middle East.
"My purpose was to help give young adults several tools as well as empower and encourage them,” Halpern said. “They will be the first line of defense for Israel on campus. These young adults are our future leaders. I wanted them to feel proud of loving Israel and supporting her. The JNF enables to begin to take their positions as Jewish leaders and lovers of Israel.”
The event was funded this year by JNF Sapphire Society member Lara Stone; last year’s program was funded by Shelley Dubin. Members of the Las Vegas region of the Sapphire Society, JNF’s women’s major donor division, take turns funding events like Caravan for Democracy.
Micah Halpern, a syndicated columnist, is also a well-known social and political commentator, educator, and historian. In 1997, Micah Halpern was appointed Israel columnist for America Online and continues to write a weekly, now syndicated, column on foreign affairs, the Middle East and terror. An expert on terrorism, Halpern has been invited for consultations in the White House with terror analysts and has addressed conferences sponsored by the Justice Department. He has also contributed religious commentary for CNN and ABC television.
Halpern also writes a column and is an expert on kosher wines. His evening session with parents at the Adelson Educational Campus included a wine tasting session. |
