Last week, JEC students were privileged to hear from Yahya Mahamed, an Israeli-Arab, self-proclaimed Zionist and StandWithUs educator. Speaking to a riveted audience, he shared his unbelievable story with students and faculty. Indoctrinated from childhood to hate Jews and deny Israel’s statehood, Mahamed began to have regular interactions with Israelis, challenging the negative views he had been encouraged to develop. After the kidnapping of Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Shaar and Naftali Fraenkel, ה’ ינקום דמם, Mahamed joined the thousands around the world, posting a selfie in the #bringbackourboys campaign. Coming under attack from his community and family, he was forced to leave his home, never to return.

“It was inspiring to hear, that though he was cut off from most of his family, he stayed strong in his beliefs to do what was right,” said Dovid Rozehzadeh, a 10th grade student from West Orange. “As high school students, we can truly take that message to heart.” Mahamed charged students to become more informed, to look for ways to connect with others and to spread his messages of hope and peace.