As a study-abroad student in Copenhagen, Leda Fisher ’19 experienced a range of European cultures and deepened her understanding of Europe. Back on campus, she’s a student manager at the Clarke Forum for Contemporary Issues, a position that requires her to research and promote special events on campus and allows her a chance to meet and interact closely with high-profile campus visitors. She's also a student leader with Hillel, JStreetU and the Dog House. Leda discusses her ideal dinner companion, why she chose an American studies major, the most important thing she's learned so far and more.
JStreeU..? What is this..? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J_Street_U
J Street U is the college and university campus organizing arm of J Street, the pro-Israel, pro-peace advocacy organization working towards United States diplomatic leadership for a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine.
“A lot of people have said that they want the (Jewish Student Union) to stay a place they feel comfortable saying they love Israel.” Shayna Howitt, J Street U’s national communications co-chair, on the other hand, noted that J Street U is not anti-Israel simply because it is critical of its government’s approaches disputed territories. “The best way to support Israel is not by refusing to talk about the politics that are often uncomfortable and scary — it’s by addressing those politics,”[5]she said. In early 2014, 129 alumni signed a letter urging Berkeley Hillel to be more open to varied views on Israel, and suggesting that the Jewish Student Union become an “Open Hillel,” rejecting some of the constraints on free speech embodied in the rules upheld by Hillel International Headquarters (see Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life).[6]