BlueStar, a San Francisco–based nonprofit, has ramped up its dedication to Israel-focused education programs with the announcement last week of Write On for Israel for Adults.
Billed in a press release as the first program of its kind for adults, WOFI for Adults will be held once a month on Sunday mornings at the Jewish Community High School of the Bay in San Francisco. The series is slated to begin Feb. 6 and continue through June.
The class is being modeled after the existing teen program, Write On for Israel, although a two-year commitment is not required and a journalism trip to Israel in the fall is optional. Additionally, Write On for Israel for College Students is in the works for later this year.
The goal of the new class is to encourage local adults — possibly frustrated by Israel’s treatment in the media and on campus — to sharpen their pro-Israel advocacy skills and increase feelings of connectedness to Israel and the Jewish community. Lecturers will include Donna Rosenthal, author of “The Israelis,” speaking on how the international media covers Israel, and journalist Sue Fishkoff, speaking about getting your voice heard in the media and standing up for Israel in public.
Also last week, BlueStar’s board of directors announced that the 501(c)3 has changed its name from BlueStarPR to BlueStar.
“We dropped the PR from the name because too many potential supporters did not realize that we are a nonprofit charity that relies upon tax-deductible contributions,” said Linda Cedarbaum, board president. “While we once solely focused on producing ‘PR-like’ resources for students and community advocates, the new name and mission give equal weight to our Israel educational and advocacy/skill-building programs.”
Along with the name change, BlueStar also rewrote its mission statement to reflect the focus on Israel-related educational programs for teens and adults, noting in a press release that its mission is “to empower the next generation of Israel advocates and leaders.”
Before BlueStar started offering WOFI locally in the fall of 2008, the now 7-year-old agency was known mainly for creating posters and resource materials that went to bat for Israel.
WOFI for Adults will be limited to 25 participants. Cost is $180 for five sessions, each running from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information, call (415) 543-6300 or visit www.bluestarpr.com/write-on-for-adults.html.