BlueStar

Write On For Adults

Turn your frustration into action! BlueStar's Write On For Israel/San Francisco program for Adults

Do you wish you could do something about Israel’s PR challenges? Tired of feeling powerless against Israel’s treatment by the media? Do you wish you knew what to say or how to write to turn things around – and make a difference?

You are not alone.

Our goal is to make sure everyone who cares about Israel's future can discover their courage, learn advocacy skills, and become empowered by the support of like-minded peers.

Whether you’re interested in strengthening our community’s voice against unfair media coverage or simply looking for ways to counter an anti-Israel comment at a cocktail party, Write On For Israel/San Francisco for Adults is for you. (Quick: How would you respond to a partygoer who tells the group that Israel should never have been created?)

Held once a month on a date and time to be determined later this summer, our goal for the program is to make sure that everyone who cares about Israel’s future can discover their courage, learn advocacy skills and feel empowered by the support of like-minded peers.

Write On For Israel/San Francisco for Adults Benefits:

– Improve Your Writing, Critical Thinking and Speaking Skills
– Discover the Ideas and Events that Have Shaped Israel
– Understand Israel's Strategic Predicament
– Explore Journalism and Media Analysis
– Explore the Story of the Jewish People in Israel
– Create Friendships with Like-Minded Israel Supporters from the Bay Area

Session 1: “Defining Israel's Challenges” - (7:15pm - 9:45pm)

7:15-7:30pm Introductions and course goals
7:30-8:30pm "Challenges to Israel's Right to Exist" led by Pini Altman of BlueStar. We will look at how the Koran and the reformation process, Dhimmi laws, treatment of force and treaties, Hamas Charter, Palestinian internecine warfare, and the treatment of Jews under Islam all affect acceptance of Israel’s right to exist in the Arab world.
8:30 -9:30pm Dan Pine, Experienced Journalist for the J, will speak on : "Israel and the International Media"
9:30-9:45pm Responding to cocktail party talk exercise.
Assignment for the next session: Read Right to Exist (whole book is worthwhile, but especially focus on Chapter 11 and Eight Rules by which Journalists Operate).

Session 2: “Making the Jewish Case” - (7:15pm - 9:45pm)

7:15-7:30pm Chapter 11 from Right to Exist: Discuss and share media examples
7:30-8:30pm “Jewish Roots in Israel” led by Pini Altman. Let’s put 2000 years of Jewish experience in Israel into context with Israel’s creation.
8:30 -9:30pm Jonathan Carey, BlueStar, will speak on "How to Connect Americans With Israel." Often surprising focus group results show what really works – and what doesn’t.
9:30-9:45pm Public speaking ABC improvisational exercise for Israel.
Assignment for next session: Brainstorm and create a pro-Israel campaign idea or message that persuasively communicates the Jewish case in Israel.

Session 3: “Understanding the Chess Pieces” - (7:15pm - 9:45pm)

7:15-7:30pm Participants present their pro-Israel campaign idea or message
7:30-8:30pm “Israel's Borders: A Struggle for Sovereignty and Peace." A look at the forces that shaped Israel's borders and and lessons we can learn from this aspect of the country's history, led by Pini Altman. The events and ideas that shaped modern Israel: 1917- present. Where do we go from here?
8:30 -9:45pm "Leading Effective Grassroots Campaigns" (Public Policy Professor Larry Magid)

Session 4: “Becoming an Opinion Leader” - (7:15pm - 9:45pm)

7:15-9:45pm "Speaking up for Israel with Impact" - Public speaking tips and practice

Session 5: “Engaging the Public” - (7:15pm - 9:45pm

7:15-9:45pm Dan Pine, Experienced Journalist for the J, will present "Writing Persuasively for Israel: Tips and Exercises. " Letter to the Editor show and tell. Helpful critiques to strengthen your writer’s voice.

Optional Travel Opportunity: You are also invited to join us on a “Behind the Scenes” journalism trip to Israel to meet and interview newsmakers, politicians and journalists yourself. What better way to learn about what is really going on than from firsthand accounts from Jewish and Arab Israelis themselves?

Fill out the form below to find out when the next class will be offered.

Questions? call us at 415-543-6300 or fill out the form below:

Connect with BlueStar

Testimonials

"I give the Adult WOFI program my highest recommendation.

The in-class material was varied & terrific: group discussion, creative team-building exercises, interesting guest speakers, and (best of all) Pini's fascinating lectures. He is amazing -- fluent in Arabic & Hebrew, in addition to English, he is a true scholar of modern Israeli-Arab socio-geo-political-cultural history. Also, I found the books that he & Jonathan included in the curriculum to be super-informative & great reads.

My only regret was the class met for only five 2-hour sessions. I wish there were more and/or longer meetings, so we could explore, even further, this very dear subject -- the truth about Israel's history, thus her right to exist, and how to advocate on her behalf."

Ira L.

Testimonials

"I was very impressed by the information provided and the speakers who presented at the Adult WOFI classes. I really enjoyed meeting such an interesting , dedicated group of supporters of Israel(educators and students alike).
In fact, I wish we were still meeting and learning."

Celia M.

Testimonials

"Cindy and I found the class informative and stimulating. The situation in Israel and the issues around the peace process are unbelivably complex and require not only a understanding of what is going on now, but also of the history and background of the region and some understanding of the tenets of Islam. We found the combination of lecture and discussion and the opportunity to formulate and present our views on key issues to be quite effective.

Pini Altman's combination of background knowledge and "on the ground experience" was a key element of the value of the program. And the opportunity to learn from other participants was also quite important. We now feel much more confident in our ability to address misunderstandings about the region and Israel's position."

Phil S.

Testimonials

"Though I have been an Israel advocate for a number of years, I owe a debt of gratitude to Pini Altman at BlueStar. During the adult Write on for Israel (WOFI) program in San Francisco, Pini offered insightful and nuanced analyses about the challenges facing Israel which went way beyond anything that I had read anywhere. I encourage anyone with a hunger to begin to understand the Middle East, as well as a desire to respond effectively to one-sided analyses, to take this course."

Marlene M.

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