NO NUKES FOR IRAN Goes to Washington D.C.

    
by Danielle Bari Flaum, Chair and Founder of NO NUKES FOR IRAN

On Friday, March 5, 2010 members of the NO NUKES FOR IRAN teens travel to Washington D.C.
      First stop of the day was a private meeting with Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren at the Israeli Embassy.  After going through intense security checks we were welcomed by Mrs. Sally Oren, wife of the Ambassador.
      In Ambassador Oren's study we discussed our successes and our struggles.   The Ambassador thanked us for our brave and passionate efforts.  He praised our abilities to create excitement as we bring together many Jewish and non-Jewish groups.  He stressed that a nuclear Iran poses a monumental security threat to Israel.  He reflected on his memories of growing up after the Holocaust.  He recalled the promises that his generation made never to let a Holocaust happen again.  He said that the fear of Iran gaining nuclear weapons causes him to have many sleepless nights.
      We presented Oren with a NO NUKES FOR IRAN banner and a NO NUKES FOR IRAN lapel pin.
He loved them!
      We had the privilege to meet with Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center, Union of Reform Judaism and Israeli Consulates from around the country who were gathered for a policy conference at the Embassy.  After we presented our project, distributed our magnets and buttons, the Ambassador asked them to take this project back to their communities.
      Thank you Ambassador Oren and Ben Sack, Director of National Initiatives and State Government Relations for an amazing morning!!!

      We quickly left the Embassy heading for the Rayburn Building on Capital Hill to meet with Robert Marcus, Staff member for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Marcus gave us a crash course in Government and Politics!  It was very interesting. The Iran Petroleum Sanctions Act was passed by both the House and the Senate.  According to the government process the two bills must be reconciled.  Mr. Marcus stated that the reconciliation committee has not convened (despite overwhelming support for the bills in the House and Senate) because U.S. is waiting for the United Nations to vote on sanctions against Iran.  We also had the privilege to meet in the committee's meeting room - check out our photo.

      In addition, we met with Jonathan Moore, Legislative Asst. for Congressman Steven R. Rothman, New Jersey.  We informed both Mr. Marcus and Mr. Moore about our mission and our position.

      Next stop was AIPAC,  American Israel Public Affairs Committee!  We met with Jonathan Kessler, Leadership Development Director and Suzie Goldenkranz, National Field Organizer, to learn firsthand from some of the experts on strategies on foreign policy lobbying.  It truly was an inspiring and challenging meeting.

     Next, we met with Rachel Hillman, B'nai Birth Youth Organization to discuss how we can tap into BBYO's energy and influence them to join on the mission of no nuclear weapons for Iran.  It was a very energizing and productive meeting, we can't wait to work with BBYO.

     The last stop of the day was to join the L'taken seminar of the Religious Action Center of the Union of Reform Judaism gathering of 400 teens for a lively Shabbat service.   I had the honor to deliver our message!  I loved looking out at the many faces of my peers and challenging them to stand up, speak out and declare that this generation of youth wants to live in a world free of terrorists threatening Israel and our safety.

     I challenge you, the reader, to join in.  Go to www.nonukesforiran.org.  Ask your synagogue, school, youth group to join in this effort.   Download the toolkit on Iran, look at some suggestions to bring to your community and let us know how we can help you.  I challenge you, the youth of America to stand up for peace and human rights.