Students from 10 Michigan campuses gathered in Lansing together during the weekend to discuss anti-Semitism, Israel’s history and upcoming elections.

The conference, hosted by MSU’s Hillel Jewish Student Center, was called “So Close, Yet So Far Away: Being an Israel Advocate on Campus.” It featured various political leaders and activists.

“The conference was phenomenal,” said Shira Weinstein, program director for the center. “It was really great to see students come together addressing issues that are pertinent to their campuses. I could see the students were enjoying it by the way they were talking to each other and the look in their eyes.”

Weinstein said it was helpful discussing issues like anti-Semitism, which is prejudice or discrimination against Jewish people.

“Some students had problems with anti-Semitic students’ organizations on campus and newspapers printing material that was offensive to Jews,” she said. “We talked about what to do when an anti-Semitic or controversial speaker comes to campus.”

The conference included topics such as Israeli history, United Nations resolutions, Israeli terrorism, Israeli defense, upcoming elections and on-campus issues.

MSU students proposed topics to The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, who then brainstormed with students and potential speakers about topics they wanted the conference to cover.

David Newman, Midwest field director for the committee, said anti-Israel and anti-Jewish sentiment has increased in recent years.

“The fighting between the Israelis and Palestinians in 2000 led to increased anti-Israeli sentiment, which lead to increased anti-Semitism,” he said. “In response to anti-Semitism on campuses, students should speak up and say, ‘No, this is wrong and here’s why.’”

Political theory and constitutional democracy senior Josh Berg said he was surprised to see so many students interested in activism.

“I really liked the round table discussions where we split into groups and listened to other students throughout Michigan,” Berg said. “Students were interested in knowing how to change their campuses.

“We forget our country runs from college campus. We are the future everything. It was great listening to students who were eager to change things on their campuses.”

Eric Bukstein, president of Hillel at the University of Michigan, attended the conference. Bukstein said the advocacy speeches were interesting and helpful.

“In order to be a successful advocate, you have to be an educated advocate,” he said. “A conference like this can give tangible skills and provide facts about what’s going on in Israel. It was successful because it taught students how to write editorials, plan events and network with other students.”