AUJS leaders visit US to strengthen global ties
AUJS student leaders met diplomats, policymakers and Jewish organisations in New York and Washington.
A delegation of student leaders from the Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) recently travelled to New York City and Washington, DC, as part of an engagement mission to connect with and learn from the American Jewish community.
The delegation participated in a series of high-level meetings aimed at strengthening relationships between Australian Jewish students and key stakeholders shaping Jewish communal and public life. Across both cities, students met and discussed issues impacting Jewish students globally, including rising antisemitism and the future of Jewish communal life.
Meetings were held with Australian ambassador to the United Nations James Larsen, Jeff Bartos of the United States of America Mission to the United Nations, Jewish community leaders and organisations, other policymakers and student representatives from around the world.
AUJS federal president Jeremy Suss had the opportunity to meet the office of the United States Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism as part of a group of 10 Jewish student union presidents from across the world, thanks to the World Union of Jewish Students.
A highlight was attendance at the American Jewish Committee (AJC) Global Forum, one of the premier gatherings of Jewish leaders from around the world. The forum provided AUJS delegates with the opportunity to hear from senior government officials, ambassadors, business leaders and communal leaders while contributing the perspectives of Australian Jewish students to global conversations.
The delegation also participated in a student Shabbaton, bringing together student leaders from across North America, Europe, Latin America, Israel, South Africa and Australia.
The weekend fostered meaningful discussions around Jewish identity, community building, advocacy and leadership, while strengthening the bonds between student movements from around the world.
Throughout the mission, AUJS representatives emphasised the strength and resilience of the Australian Jewish student community and shared insights from campuses across Australia. Delegates gained valuable perspectives from peers and partners facing similar challenges and opportunities in their own communities.
Suss said, “The group has returned to Australia and New Zealand energised by the experience and excited to implement some of the learnings and takeaways in our effort to make Jewish student life more vibrant.”
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