On October 27-28, 2025, members of our school’s AIPAC club, led by Rabbi Uri Pilichowski, traveled to Washington, D.C. for a two-day program focused on learning about the political relationship between the United States and Israel. Students had the chance to hear from policy experts, visit major political institutions, and meet with experts in foreign policy. The trip included stops at AIPAC headquarters, the Heritage Foundation, the Israeli Embassy, the House Foreign Affairs Committee room, and the White House.

The club’s president, Eli Benarroch, shared that the speaker who impacted him the most was Stephanie Hallet, the U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain and the former deputy ambassador to Israel. “She was in the war room throughout the whole October 7 war,” he said. “She actually heard the debates behind major decisions, like rescuing hostages or targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar. Hearing her perspective was crazy because she was really there.” Benarroch explained that seeing how the government works behind the scenes was an unforgettable experience. He also said that the trip made him feel more confident about standing up for Israel. “It helped me learn how to fight for my religion and the country I love, and seeing how the U.S. helps Israel every day was really inspiring,” he said.

Overall, club members shared that the AIPAC trip gave them a rare chance to see how government works up close. To them, the trip was not just educational; it was motivating and impacted their lives on a deeper level. Many students came back feeling more informed, more connected to current events, and more ready to stand up for their beliefs.