Defending Israel's Truth: My Path from Club Z to College Activism

October 2024

By Georgia Engelhardt

Growing up with immense love and support in my local community, I was never fully aware of the hostility directed toward Jewish people. I had learned about the Holocaust and antisemitism throughout history, understanding the importance of Israel as the Jewish homeland and permanent refuge. However, even after attending Jewish Day School and participating in CTeen and National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY), I didn’t realize that antisemitism had reformed into a new, seemingly acceptable form of this enduring hatred: anti-Zionism. Furthermore, I did not yet understand why combatting this newer version of Jew-hatred is so vital.

My perspective changed when I joined Club Z, a Zionist educational program for Jewish teens. Meeting twice monthly for two years, I learned about Jewish indigeneity to Israel, its modern re-establishment, and the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict. Through mock debates, scenarios, and real-world experiences, I recognized how often the truth about Israel and Jewish people is distorted, promoted as a “good and faithful cause” to mask Jewish demonization. This education revealed that knowing facts about the Jewish homeland’s history and Israel’s current position is critical for survival and defense in the diaspora.

After graduating from Club Z in June 2021, I continued attending annual retreats and conferences. At the 2023 conference in Florida, I discovered Students Supporting Israel (SSI), a student-led pro-Israel organization. Recognizing the need at my university, UNC Charlotte, I established an SSI chapter to cultivate a pro-Israel presence and support our small campus Jewish community.

Following the October 7 massacre, anti-Israel rallies occurred at UNC Charlotte, led by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and other anti-Israel campus organizations. Months later, we faced our biggest challenge: the student government proposed a Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS)-like resolution labeling Israel a “genocidal regime” and calling for divestment from organizations supporting Israel.

Drawing from my Club Z training, I spoke at the Student Government Association (SGA) meetings, challenging the resolution. Jewish and Zionist students explained how Israel aids people in Gaza during the ongoing war, emphasizing Israel’s desire for peace and safety for all civilians. We clarified that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) goal is to defeat threats while protecting innocent civilians. Thanks to our efforts, the bill was defeated twice!

This experience highlighted the impact of Zionist education for high schoolers and the power of speaking truth in the face of adversity. I’m grateful to have learned that Zionism is intrinsic to Judaism and to have found the courage to advocate for these beliefs.

We have seen Georgia grow into an incredibly knowledgeable, proud, and courageous advocate for herself, Jewish people, and Israel, and a leader both on campus and in Charlotte. Thank you, Georgia for being such a wonderful role model for teens and adults!

Marcy Goldstein, Ph.D.. Club Z Charlotte Educator