By Natalie Menaged, National Director of Hasbara Fellowships 
Of all the lessons I have learned from student activists over the years, probably the most important is that each campus group needs a plan that takes into account their unique potential for success, as well as their natural limitations. But there are a few basic principles that can be applied to every campus to ensure a successful Israel advocacy effort.
Ask yourself, what do I want the pro-Israel movement to achieve on my campus this year? And what do I want to achieve by the time I graduate?
A good plan requires both a goal and a strategy.
Maybe your goal is to expose a certain number of students on your campus to Israel in a positive light. Your strategy might include building coalitions with prominent groups on campus to influence their members, planning programming showing Israel in a positive light, and forming a relationship with campus media to ensure coverage of your events and maximize your audience.
If the pro-Israel group on your campus is not yet developed, focus on building an educated and motivated base of committed activists. The strategy should be different; you will want to focus more on educational programming and recruitment within the Jewish community (Hillel students, Birthright returnees, etc.).
Perhaps you want to do both, which is ideal. Just be realistic and set goals that you think are achievable.
1.
Map out your campus
It is tempting to classify your campus as ‘apathetic.’ But every student on your campus is passionate about something. Think about what interests your peers and brainstorm ways to connect them to Israel via those interests.
Be honest about challenges you might face on campus. Assess the potential size and strength of your pro-Israel movement: How big is your natural base, and what other groups can be allies?
2.
Develop a goal/message
Settle on one or two messages you want to convey to your campus community. Try to pick messages that are simple, yet powerful. For instance, this semester the Tufts University Friends of Israel (FOI) are focusing on the message “Israel: a thriving democracy pursuing peace.” Each
campaign and newspaper
article prepared by the FOI relates to this theme.
3.
Craft a strategy
Outline a list of actions that will communicate your message. Draw on the prominent organizations or movements on your campus, and brainstorm ways to form relationships with them. For instance, if you want to build a relationship with the African-American student organization, approach them about co-organizing an appearance by an African-American supporter of Israel, like
Pastor Glenn Plummer.
Other components of your strategy should include outreach to campus media, a solid presence on social media, and tabling regularly in a central location.
Remember that a winning team has both an offense and a defense. While you should focus on communicating your message about Israel, be prepared to handle obstacles that might arise. If an ‘apartheid wall’ or an anti-Israel speaker comes to campus and the event gains considerable attention, be prepared with a counter-offensive.
4.
Building a strong base
Ensure that the core members of your Israel group have opportunities for ongoing education and motivation. The “Israel Inside/Out” (
IIO) online course is a great method to educate your base on everything they need to know about Israel. Participants can receive a stipend for completing IIO. Plan some ‘closed’ events where your group can discuss complex issues.
While educating your core membership, look for future leaders. Who will carry on your legacy when you graduate? The more education and experience you provide, the stronger your pro-Israel movement will be for the long-term.
5.
Maximize resources
In addition to student government funding, many organizations can support your efforts.
Hillel is a natural support system.
Hasbara Fellowships offers advanced training in Israel for student leaders, as well as grants for campus programming. The
Israel on Campus Coalition offers grants, and
ICB has a section filled with
opportunities to apply for grants from multiple organizations.
6.
Measure success
Develop concrete ways to measure success, like numbers of people you want to engage generally or directly. Take time at the end of each semester to reflect upon how you can improve your efforts.
By developing and implementing a strategic plan, you can make a significant difference in the perception of Israel on your campus. Give it a try, and good luck!
Natalie Menaged is the National Director of Hasbara Fellowships, an organization dedicated to educating, training and inspiring students to stand up for Israel on campuses across North America.