The workplace, which can be a marketplace of ideas. Photo: Wikipedia.

This past week, a young attorney named Deenah shared her story of how she responded to a supervisor’s misgivings about Israel.

While at work, Deenah began to realize that one of her supervisors started treating her differently. She stopped saying good morning, and she would turn the other way when Deenah came around. After some time, concerned that she may have inadvertently offended her supervisor, Deenah apologized and asked if there was something she did wrong.

Deenah’s supervisor relayed that she was completely confused as to how Deenah could be so involved with human rights work and social justice advocacy, yet also support Israel. Deenah explained that she understood her supervisor’s misgivings about her position, as many mainstream media sources negatively portrayed Israel. Deenah then went on to point out several media misrepresentations, and brought in several articles for her supervisor to read. After that, several co-workers began to ask Deenah different questions about the situation in Israel, and an attorney even brought in an article from a non-mainstream media source that he found, which described Israel’s efforts to protect Palestinian civilians during fighting in Gaza. ​

Another young Jewish professional, David, also shared his role in leading Birthright trips as a Taglit Fellow, and posting pro-Israel articles on social media. And a score of other young adults around the table shared examples of what they do in their grass-roots advocacy for Israel.

These young people all came together to make new friends at YJLC’s “Mixer with a Message,” and to hear an explanation from ZOA Philadelphia Director Steve Feldman and Co-President Lee Bender on the challenges Israel faces on campus, in the media, and from groups set on its destruction.

American young professionals are finding a way to support Israel, and to connect with each other as well.