Club Z Charlotte: Empowering Teens Through Israel Education

May 2024

By Marcy Braverman Goldstein, Ph.D.

Ten years ago, a mentor's words resonated with me: "Never say anything publicly pro-Israel if you want to keep your career in academia." As a non-tenured university professor at the time, I had already noticed this predicament, but hearing it from a respected colleague made it all too real. For years, I observed the rise of anti-Zionism in academia, with viewpoint conformists delegitimizing the only Jewish state and their echo chamber reinforcing anti-Zionism.

In 2018, I discovered Club Z, a program whose mission is to cultivate the next generation of proud, Jewish Zionist leaders. I immediately thought, "We need that in Charlotte!" While helping establish the local Institute and watching it grow under the leadership of Olga Washington, former chief operating officer and educator, I never expected to teach the teens myself. However, after one session in fall 2023, I discovered the joy of educating our youth to become confident, knowledgeable advocates for Israel and themselves.

As the newly appointed Charlotte Institute educator for Club Z and director of academic affairs at the Jewish Institute for Liberal Values (JILV), I am thrilled to have the opportunity to empower teens through Israel education. With a Ph.D. in Religious Studies and extensive teaching experience in world religions, Indian traditions, and Judaism, I bring a unique perspective to my role.

Club Z's mission is to create a network of educated and articulate activists committed to Zionism who advocate for themselves, Israel, and the Jewish people. Our vision is to foster a network of leaders who embrace their Jewish identity, are proud of their heritage, and address issues of bigotry and antisemitism head-on. We encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and model productive debate and disagreement.

The Club Z curriculum for 8th-12th graders focuses on Israeli history, current events, debate, speech writing, research, and activism. Through multimedia presentations and discussions, we ground modern-day headlines in centuries-old history. Institute meets throughout the school calendar, with both once and twice per month educational tracks, at the Teen Lounge, Ohr HaTorah on Sardis Road. The fall retreat in the mountains kicks off the year with classes and adventure, while the annual National Conference allows teens to hear from expert speakers and participate in interactive workshops navigating the history and current dynamics in the Middle East.

As an educator, my goal is to spread truth, inspire teens to seek knowledge, and foster a love for our incredible people who have persisted despite adversity for millennia. I look forward to seeing teens grow in their knowledge, confidence, and verbal communication skills, and to hearing from graduates who organize pro-Israel rallies at their colleges and take leadership roles to empower other Jewish teens.

In our post 10/7 era, the need for Israel education has never been more critical. I aim to provide students with the tools to engage knowledgeably and confidently about the Jewish right to self-determination in our indigenous homeland, countering the anti-Zionist narrative prevalent in academia and beyond.

Visit clubz.org to learn more, watch a National Conference recap video, shop at the swag store, and/or make a donation. Registration for the 2024-2025 school year opens soon. Contact me at marcy@clubz.org or Charlotte Co-Directors Lena Kosinovsky and Rabbi Ya'akov Walker at charlotte@clubz.org with questions. Follow Club Z on Instagram @ZionismForTeens for excellent content about history, current affairs, and Jewish pride.