On April 1, SAR High School hosted the ‘Am V’Ometz: Building Jewish Confidence’ Conference, presented by Machon Siach and the American Jewish Committee (AJC). Designed to empower students and reinforce confidence in their Jewish identity through education, skill-building and meaningful dialogue, the conference brought together experts from AJC’s Center for Education Advocacy, community leaders and SAR alumni activists. Students participated in sessions and hands-on workshops, diving into Jewish history and identity, and developing advocacy skills including public speaking, editorial-writing and alliance-building.
The keynote conversation between Rabbi Tully Harcsztark, SAR High School founding principal and dean of Machon Siach, and AJC CEO, former Congressman Ted Deutch, explored challenges and opportunities facing Jewish students today. Jewish students from Ethical Culture Fieldston, Horace Mann and Riverdale Country Day Schools also participated.
Deutch described his youth in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. There were three Jews among 2,000 students in his high school. “I was the authority on all things Jewish: the rabbi, the pro-Israel community and the person they reached out to for questions around a holiday. There was a lot of responsibility; something I’ve taken with me throughout my whole career. I was proud to be that person.”
Explaining how his Jewish values helped his decision to enter public service, Deutch said: “It’s absolutely about Jewish pride. The Jewish experiences I didn’t get at school, I got in my home and my summer camp. It was always being proud about who I was as a Jew that mattered then, that matters just as much now, that will matter in all the ways that you are and will become as leaders in the broader community, even beyond the Jewish community.”
Recalling late Senator Joseph Lieberman’s stay at Deutch’s house during Lieberman’s presidential campaign, Deutch shared: “In the morning, the senator walked out of the guest room carrying a shofar. How incredible this was for me. This Jewish United States senator, running for president of the United States, standing at my kitchen table, giving my kids a lesson. In Elul, he carried a shofar with him to blow every day in advance of Rosh Hashanah. That was the moment I really thought how it’s possible to be in politics and public life, let who you are as a Jew guide you and lead in every part of what you do.”
In Congress, Deutch co-chaired the bipartisan taskforce to combat antisemitism. Harcsztark noted: “When you think about our history, antisemitism leads to persecution. I can imagine a range of reactions if a teenager sees these things on feeds; being afraid to walk around as a Jew.”
Deutch responded: “It’s most important to remember, social media is not the real world. What’s real is what’s happening every day; hostages who haven’t returned, and the modern state of Israel, which is a miracle.” Deutch continued: “Knowledge that all of you bring to conversations, facts you have at your fingertips, the way you feel about these issues, that’s what really matters.
“Young people can lead right now, your ability to move the debate, make sure people better understand what’s happening, why this is personal to you. As proud Jews, you’re in the best position to help others understand this.”
Deutch suggested students show members of Congress, such as Ritchie Torres, that they appreciate their support. “He is such a powerful leader, speaking up in support of Israel and the Jewish community, willing to take on anyone peddling lies and misstatements we see over and over. It’s not to be taken for granted. Make sure Ritchie understands you’re there with him, appreciate what he does, and offer to be his supporters in carrying out this battle.”
Other suggestions included, “Your own social media feeds, working with local elected officials, the AJC and other advocacy organizations to make sure everyone understands why it’s so important to speak in support of Israel in the local Jewish community.”
SAR senior Ethan Vorchheimer said: “I developed a sharper understanding of my Jewish identity by examining the inherent nuances and paradoxical nature of what it means to be Jewish. Through attendance at Muslim-Jewish and Black-Jewish relations sessions, I was able to discuss the challenges and importance of bridge-building between communities and strategize how to do so on campus. I feel a strengthened ownership over my identity, which will hopefully enable me to help cultivate that in others.”
Harcsztark shared: “This conference was a crucial opportunity for our students to strengthen their Jewish identity and learn how to actively engage in advocacy. Partnering with AJC allowed us to provide them with tools and confidence to proudly represent and support the Jewish community.”
