Students Supporting Israel: A Strong Voice on Campus
Students Supporting Israel (SSI) is a pro-Israel, Zionist grassroots advocacy organization operating on college and university campuses across North America and internationally. Founded in 2012, SSI aims to create a supportive environment for students who support Israel and to counter anti-Israel sentiment on campuses. Through proactive and reactive initiatives, SSI empowers students to express their views in support of Israel, familiarizes the university community with current events in the Middle East, shares Israeli culture, and responds to anti-Israel propaganda.
Mission and Goals
SSI's primary mission is to be a clear and confident pro-Israel voice on college campuses and to support students in grassroots pro-Israel advocacy.
The organization's goals include:
- Providing a platform for students to support Israel's position in the Middle East.
- Reassuring students who oppose the demonization of Israel that they are not alone.
- Changing the anti-Israel climate on campuses.
- Empowering students to express their views in support of Israel.
- Familiarizing students and the university community with current events in the Middle East.
- Sharing Israeli culture on campus.
- Responding to anti-Israel propaganda.
History and Growth
Students Supporting Israel was founded in 2012 at the University of Minnesota by Ilan Sinelnikov, Valeria Chazin, and Naor Bitton. Since then, it has expanded into an international movement, with chapters established on numerous campuses. In March 2014, chapters were registered at Indiana University and DePaul University, followed by Toronto Metropolitan University in April. By October of the same year, SSI gained recognition as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and was active on 27 campuses.
SSI is structured as a network of university-recognized student organizations, each formally registered as a campus club. Between 2014 and 2023, SSI and its campus chapters supported students who advanced more than 30 resolutions in student governments in the United States, Canada, and elsewhere.
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Activities and Programs
SSI engages in a variety of activities and programs to achieve its goals, including:
- Educational and Advocacy Programming: SSI chapters organize diverse programs, ranging from interfaith initiatives to public awareness campaigns.
- "Palestinian Apartheid Week" Counter-Initiative: During campus events commonly known as "Israel Apartheid Week," SSI student leaders present informational displays and public discussions highlighting discrimination and human-rights issues under the Palestinian Authority and Hamas rule in Gaza, under the title "Palestinian Apartheid Week".
- Breaking Bread Series: Launched in partnership with faith-based and inter-community organizations, this series brings Jewish and Christian students together for dialogue and shared meals to foster understanding and cooperation around shared Zionist values.
- Triggered: From Combat to Campus Speaker Tour: This tour features current or former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers who visit universities to share personal experiences of military service, moral decision-making, and transition to civilian and academic life.
- Student Government Initiatives: SSI supports students in advancing pro-Israel resolutions in student governments.
- High School Programs: SSI operates in high schools, where students can form Israel culture clubs to discuss Israeli food, music, art, diversity, religions, and other topics of interest.
SSI's activities are both proactive and reactive, initiated either by the group or as a response to anti-Israel propaganda on campuses.
Recognition and Honors
SSI and its student leaders have received recognition from various organizations and individuals for their campus activism, including:
- Acknowledgment by elected officials and commentators for their campus advocacy.
- Honors from Jewish and pro-Israel organizations.
Membership and Benefits
Joining SSI as a member provides several benefits, including:
- General scholarship raffle each semester (5 students x $200) - 5 member IDs randomly selected!
- Access to fully paid or heavily subsidized tickets to pro-Israel community conferences, events, or trips to Israel.
- Unique discount codes to leading Zionist / pro-Israel / Jewish merchandise.
- Membership gives you access to the spaces where things actually happen.
SSI covers or heavily subsidizes tickets to major pro-Israel community conferences and events across the country, such as the JNF-USA's Global Conference or Alternative Break trip to Israel, or events of other major partner organizations.
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As an SSI member, students unlock exclusive codes that give them discounted access to merch from Zionist clothing or swag brands directly affiliated with the movement.
SSI members are always first in line for the biggest opportunities. From the National SSI Conference to regional seminars, leadership trips and other limited-space programs, members receive early registration notice before it opens to the public.
SSI membership is completely free and is only for current college and university students.
National Conference
SSI hosts a National Conference, bringing together students from across chapters to network, listen, share, and be inspired. The conference includes engaging sessions, hands-on activities, and exciting programming.
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