{"id":526864,"date":"2010-04-13T21:13:16","date_gmt":"2010-04-14T01:13:16","guid":{"rendered":"tag:blogs.rj.org,2010:\/rac\/\/2.2664"},"modified":"2010-04-13T21:56:33","modified_gmt":"2010-04-14T01:56:33","slug":"no-nukes-for-iran-visits-washington","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/526864","title":{"rendered":"“No Nukes for Iran” Visits Washington"},"content":{"rendered":"

Danielle Bari Flaum, of Short Hills, N.J., is founder and chair of the No Nukes for Iran Teen Advocacy Program.
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

\"magnet.jpg\"<\/span>I looked around the room and it really hit me. I was sitting with Israeli Ambassador Michel Oren in his private study at the Israeli Embassy, Washington D.C.
\nNow, the gift of memory allows me to fully realize the truly amazing day I had along with other members of the No Nukes for Iran Teen Advocacy Program. <\/p>\n

Meeting with Ambassador Oren in his study, we discussed the successes and struggles of our No Nukes for Iran campaign. He thanked us for our passionate efforts and congratulated us on
\ncreating excitement in bringing together many Jewish and non-Jewish groups around the issue. He stressed that a nuclear Iran poses a monumental security threat, sharing memories
\nof growing up after the Holocaust and recalling the promises that his generation made to “never again” let a Holocaust happen. The thought of Iran gaining nuclear weapons, he said, causes him to have sleepless nights.
\nWe presented the Ambassador with a “No Nukes for Iran” banner and lapel pin – which, he told us, he loved.<\/p>\n

Ambassador Oren informed us that members of the Israeli Consulate were meeting with Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center, downstairs at the Israeli Embassy. Next thing we knew, we were downstairs speaking to the members of the Israeli consulate and Rabbi Saperstein, informing them about our project. Ambassador Oren passed out our No Nukes for Iran car magnets, urging the members of the Consulates to take this project back to their communities.
\nWe were deeply grateful to Ambassador Oren and Benjamin Sack, Director of National Initiatives and State Government Relations, for an incredible morning.<\/p>\n

Next we headed to the Rayburn Building on Capitol Hill to meet with
\nRobert Marcus, staff member for the House of Representatives Committee
\non Foreign Affairs, who gave us a crash course in government and
\npolitics. We also met with Jonathan Moore, legislative assistant to
\nRepresentative Steven R Rothman (D-NJ09), and told them about our
\nmissionincluding what we have been doing and what we wanted from them:
\nto learn about the Iran Petroleum Sanctions Act and if – and when – the
\nlegislation would become law. At first I did not think they would
\nreally take us seriously, considering that we were only teenagers, but
\nthey kindly informed us that we knew more about politics and the
\nlegislative system than many lobbyists and adults they had meet with
\nbefore. We left the meeting feeling good.<\/p>\n

Next stop was AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, where
\n we met with Leadership Development Director Jonathan Kessler and National Field Organizer Suzy Goldenkranz and learned firsthand from
\nsome of the experts about strategies on foreign
\npolicy lobbying. AIPAC’s staff reminded us that it’s not what we have already accomplished that is so imperative but rather our next course
\nof action that will keep people interested in the project. It was an
\ninspiring and challenging meeting.<\/p>\n

In our meeting with Rachel Hillman, program associate at the B’nai
\nB’rith Youth Organization, we discussed how to tap into BBYO’s energy
\nand encourage its members to join our mission of a nuclear weapons-free Iran. Joining
\nwith an international youth movement was another highlight of our day.<\/p>\n

Finally, we joined the RAC’s L’Taken<\/i> Social Justice Seminar, a gathering of more than 300
\nteens, for a lively Shabbat service where I had the honor of delivering our
\nmessage to the gathering. I loved looking out at my peers and
\nchallenging them to stand up, speak out, and declare that this
\ngeneration of youth wants to live in a world free of terrorists
\nthreatening Israel and our safety.
\nI hope I inspired them to lobby their elected officials not only
\nabout the importance of Iran remaining free of nuclear weapons but on any
\nissue that speaks to them. As I addressed the teens, I realized the
\nmeaning of the saying “Everybody can make a difference;” before this
\nmoment, I had not realized that I really did how the power to enact change. .<\/p>\n

Ambassador Oren, AIPAC, staff members on Capitol Hill. They all asked us the
\nsame question: “What is your next step?”
\nThe answer is that No Nukes for Iran has just launched a national petition<\/a> with a goal of 100,000 signatures, thus creating a powerful
\nlobbying tool.<\/p>\n

There are several things you can do right now to stand up and speak
\nout on this issue!<\/p>\n