Millburn High School senior Danielle Flaum created
No Nukes For Iran with the hopes of convincing a local company to cease business operations in Iran. In just six months her initiative has reached the international stage as Jewish community leaders across the U.S., Latin America and Europe are hanging No Nukes banners in synagogues and community centers.
Flaum, along with fellow NNFI member and MHS classmate Michelle Brauer, presented information on the organization at the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America in New Orleans the second weekend of November. The pair passed out buttons and told "a lot of people" about NNFI, said Flaum, but it wasn't until Isreali Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren weighed in did Flaum realized how many people were hearing the message.
Oren thanked NNFI during a speech, asking Flaum and Bauer to stand before more than 1,000 leaders of the Jewish community to be recognized for their work.
"It was pretty exciting to hear someone talking about me," says Flaum. "He's a pretty important person and I'm just an 18-year-old girl. It was exciting to get the recognition, because it helps people who had seen our booth take us seriously."
Still excited by Oren's recognition, Flaum was astounded by what happened next. Hours later Oren introduced the girls to Isreali Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"We somehow got to meet him and got to give him a button, which was very, very exciting and cool," recounted Flaum, amazement still clear in her voice. It was a brief encounter, but one Flaum will likely never forget.
"We weren't expecting it. I don't think I could've ever expected that in all my life," she said.
After a busy fall preparing for the general assembly, Flaum and fellow NNFI members are now ready to turn their attention back to Honeywell. With the help of New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez, Flaum is hoping to convince the company to cease all relations in Iran.
"Sen. Menendez went to the U.S. Senate and brought up the issue of Honeywell, and they said Honeywell is currently winding down involvement [in Iran]," said Flaum. "We're currently working on what to do with that statement, how to get them to not just wind down but stop completely."
On Jan. 11, the group will host a viewing of the documentary "Iranium." Guest are welcome to join the group at the AMC Loews in East Hanover where speakers will offer information on the situation in Iran.
