Most teenagers spend the beginning of their summer sleeping in. At 6:15 a.m. on June 4, however, the 15 members of Teen Israel Leadership Council (TILC) were boarding a bus to begin the five-hour journey to Washington, D.C. Our mission was to meet with New Jersey representatives, senators, and congressional staff to advocate for three pieces of legislation: the Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act; Security Assistance and Arms Sales to Israel; and the U.S.-Israel Defense Cooperation Act. We also shared our personal experiences with antisemitism as Jewish teens.
Our first meeting was with James Johnson, Chief of Staff to Representative Analilia Mejia. He was welcoming, personable, and refreshingly candid, joking that he had only recently joined Mejia’s office and was still working to cobble together a full staff. His openness helped humanize the work taking place on Capitol Hill and put us all at ease. After hearing our presentations, he indicated that the Representative would likely support the Iran Human Rights Act, and promised to further research the other legislation we discussed.
My favorite meeting of the day was with Congressman Rob Menendez and his Legislative Director, Alexandria Musser, because I left feeling genuinely heard. One particularly impactful point that Ms. Musser emphasized was that Congressman Menendez recognizes the value of supporting Israel not only as an ally, but also because of the tangible benefits the relationship brings to New Jersey through trade, job creation, and collaborative research initiatives. This idea of mutual benefit was one of our key advocacy points regarding security assistance to Israel, making it especially meaningful to hear repeated by a congressional office.
Our final visit was to the offices of Senators Andy Kim and Cory Booker, where we met with members of their staff. Although we expressed concerns about the senators’ votes in favor of blocking certain military aid to Israel, which felt disappointing to the Jewish community, the conversations were thoughtful, respectful, and honest. The staff members explained that both senators had concerns about the constitutional process with recent military actions involving Iran. This clarification provided important context and nuance, as well as helped us better understand the difficult balance elected officials must keep when making decisions that affect millions of people. We were also deeply moved by Samantha Schifrin, Senator Booker’s National Security Advisor, who shared her own experiences as a Jewish professional working on Capitol Hill and the antisemitism she has encountered.
Overall, the lobbying trip was an incredible experience. I had never lobbied before, and the prospect of advocating my beliefs to a member of Congress was, quite frankly, terrifying. Especially as a teenager, I was afraid I would not be taken seriously. However, I was proven completely wrong. The senators, representatives, and staff were not only open to what I had to say but interested. Every single office welcomed our concerns and listened attentively. The experience showed me that my voice truly matters and can make an impact bigger than I could imagine.
I am extremely grateful to TILC and Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ for giving me the opportunity to participate in such an eye-opening and valuable trip. If reading this inspired you in any way, you can make a difference too! The most persuasive method is, of course, an in-person visit, but if you understandably can’t travel to D.C., there are so many other ways to enact change. Make a phone call. Send an email. Write a letter. Your vote counts, your voice matters, and you can shape the future of our community.