Political involvement on campus: Lila Greenberg
Published May 15, 2015
Meet Lila Greenberg, an extraordinary and inspirational Jewish teen from St. Louis who is making a significant difference in Jewish affairs and awareness in college. While a senior at Ladue Horton Watkins High School, Greenberg became active in several Israel-centered activities and organizations such as AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. According to its website, AIPAC’s mission is to “strengthen, protect and promote the U.S.-Israel relationship in ways that enhance the security of Israel and the United States.”
As an AIPAC activist, Greenberg tries to get lawmakers to support Israel through foreign aid, government partnerships and joint anti-terrorism efforts. Greenberg, currently a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, serves as the AIPAC liaison for her campus. In this capacity, she educates Madison students and campus leaders on the benefits of a strong relationship between Israel and the United States.
“I use the training that AIPAC has provided me to facilitate pro-Israel advocacy within Badgers for Israel, a student organization on campus,” Greenberg said.
Through her involvement with Badgers for Israel, Greenberg works to maintain and strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationships through political activity and citizen education. As a liaison for AIPAC, Greenberg offers U-Wisconsin undergraduate and graduate students a plethora of opportunities to learn about and discuss issues involving Israel and the Middle East.
Greenberg’s deep interest in issues affecting Jewish students on college campuses extends beyond her work with AIPAC. The University of Wisconsin-Madison Hillel has offered Greenberg myriad opportunities for involvement in Jewish life.
“I am very involved with the Hillel Foundation on campus and get to work at the front desk, which allows me to interact with a lot of the Jewish community. I also attend events at Chabad and the Jewish Experience of Madison,” she said.
In reminiscing about her meaningful high school experiences, Greenberg focused on the importance of engaging students from a wide variety of backgrounds in important Jewish issues. She stressed the need for interfaith dialogue and the importance of listening to individuals with differing viewpoints.
“I was very involved in several JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Council) programs involving Student-to-Student and Jews and Muslims (JAM) Dialogue group. I loved these because it enabled me to see many different schools and students across St. Louis and talk to them about Judaism,” Greenberg said.
Instilling in others her passion for political activism and education, Greenberg mentors younger students as they try to educate decision makers on how it is in America’s best interest to ensure that the Jewish State is safe, strong and secure.
“I really enjoy my role as a mentor in Badgers for Israel, and I currently mentor a freshman who has also received AIPAC training,” Greenberg said.
Her mentee, Ariela Rivkin, expressed the great admiration she has for Greenberg. Rivkin recounted the immeasurable personal growth she and others in Badgers for Israel have experienced under Greenberg’s tutelage.
“She has taught me by example how to engage people on the subject of U.S.-Israel relations both through acquiring knowledge and exhibiting passion, “ Rivkin said. “In Badgers for Israel, Lila empowers us to reach out to our friends, our network, and to start dialogues about all things Israel – drip irrigation, human rights, humanitarian aid, and more. She goes to dinner, or to Starbuck’s, or for a manicure, and by the time we leave, the waiter, barista, or nail technician is ready to go to lobby Congress to build a strong U.S.-Israel relationship.”
While in high school, Greenberg began a flourishing career of activism as a congregant at B’nai Amoona. Greenberg’s passion for Israel advocacy bloomed at a young age after accompanying her family and B’nai Amoona’s Rabbi Carnie Rose on a trip to Israel. Rose remarked on Greenberg’s mature ability to synthesize the critical importance of Israel as an ally to the United States and other countries, with a realistic understanding that Israel’s actions are not immune from constructive criticism.
“Lila became an informed, passionate and dedicated voice without having a Pollyanna notion of Israel,” Rose said.
In expressing his admiration for Lila’s unwavering commitment to promoting Israel and the need for Americans to stay connected, Rose remarked on her uncanny ability to garner the attention and interest of young and old alike.
“Her passion and fervor for Israel are contagious. She is a heroine who not only has the charisma needed to be an effective leader, but also the information and knowledge necessary for substantive leadership,” Rose said. “Teenagers and adults are captivated by her warmth and love for Israel.”
Greenberg also played an integral role in bringing the Senator John Danforth Israel Scholars Program to St. Louis. She saw the need for increased education, leadership training, and understanding among teenagers that the world is a better place with Israel, not only for Jewish people.
“She is a rock star. Lila is an articulate, knowledgeable leader who embodies what we dream of in a high school or college student in Israel education and advocacy,” said Rabbi Mike Rovinsky, Founder and Director of the Jewish Student Union of St. Louis.
Rovinsky marveled at Greenberg’s keen ability to serve as an unfailing resource for Jewish college students struggling with how to respond to the tremendous anti-Israel sentiment they experience on their campuses.
“She can be on the opposite side of an argument, make you feel heard and intently listen to you, and then passionately persuade you to her well-reasoned view,” he said.
He spoke admiringly of Greenberg’s ability to infuse students with inner strength, conviction, and the self-confidence to believe that they are capable of advocacy. Rovinsky commended Greenberg’s skill in approaching Jewish and non-Jewish college students in a friendly, engaging way that cultivates their interest in U.S.-Israel relations.
“She draws people into the the Danforth Program; into AIPAC; into Badgers for Israel. She is a magnet,” Rovinsky said.
For teens who are looking to learn more about involvement in Jewish advocacy and education in the St. Louis area or for more information, email [email protected].
