Something about Israel profoundly changed Lach Litwer.
Something during his 10-day “whirlwind” trip this summer compelled the University psychology student to establish an Israel resource center and advocacy group in Eugene.
Something he saw inspired him to devote himself to educating fellow Jewish University students about Israel.
And something big happened as a result of those efforts.
Last month, Israeli President Moshe Katsav and Lynn Schusterman, a philanthropist with the international organization “birthright israel,” awarded Litwer, along with five others from around the world, the first-annual “Charlie Awards” at the president’s home in Jerusalem.
Litwer was given the award, which included an $1,800 grant and a trip to Israel, to recognize him for the work he has done to educate the community after visiting the country last summer.
“Since I came back I’ve become really aware that there’s a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding about what Israel is about and what’s happening over there,” Litwer said. “I decided it was worthwhile to start programming to help people understand what Israel is about.”
Litwer helped establish an Israel resource center at the Oregon Hillel and an Israeli interest group to suit that purpose, he said. Litwer is also on the executive board of Alpha Epsilon Pi, a Jewish fraternity on campus; works with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, an Israel advocacy group; and helped found a new advocacy group whose aim is to push for stronger political ties between the United States and Israel.
Oregon Hillel Executive Director Hal Applebaum, who has known Litwer for more than two years, said he was “instrumental” in creating and enhancing the Israel resource center at Oregon Hillel.
“He returned energized and committed to sharing not only his experience but also the importance of, not only Jewish students, but all students connecting with the state of Israel,” Applebaum said.
Litwer wasn’t always so involved in Israel advocacy, he said. Something about Israel changed him.
“Like many people, I used to have some real misconceptions about Israel,” Litwer said. “When I was there, there were a couple of things that just really got under my skin, (especially) meeting people whose lives have been severely affected by the war in Israel that, I believe, is ongoing.”
Litwer said he met an Israeli man who continued to direct a center for children with broken families even though the man had recently experienced his own personal tragedy.
“While we were there, there was a dog that was following us around while we got the tour (of the center) — a beautiful golden retriever,” Litwer said. “I asked about the dog and it turned out the dog was his daughter’s. We found out after we left that his daughter had been shot by a Palestinian sniper just 10 months prior.
“There’s nobody in Israel who hasn’t lost a family member. I can’t imagine what living like that would be like. You come back here and you see headlines, like yesterday’s in The Register-Guard, talking about this ‘Berlin Wall’ that they’re putting up so they can live safely. I could hardly not do something, you’d feel the same way. All I could think to do about it is to hope to educate some people.”
Litwer said during his trip he also was struck by how similar the Israelis are to Americans, both socially and politically. In fact, he said he felt at home there, which surprised him because he previously thought of the Middle East as purely “exotic.”
He said he felt it important to educate people about the similarities between the two countries — especially regarding their mutual belief in democracy and human rights — so they can see the importance of the United States supporting Israel.
Litwer must split the grant evenly between two community charities of his choice; however, one must be in Israel and one in Eugene. He has not yet decided how to spend it, he said.
Litwer said more and more people are becoming interested in Israel through the efforts of Jewish advocacy groups. In fact, he said birthright israel set a record during winter break by sending more than 6,000 people to Israel.
“It’s starting to hit critical mass,” he said. “People are realizing that the best way to make general conclusions about how you feel about Israel as a Jew is to go. When I came to this campus there were very few people who would describe themselves as pro-Israel advocates … now there’s a whole club. I think we’ve done quite well.”