SSI Student Spotlight: Dana Elazar
The first Student’s Supporting Israel “Student Spotlight” features San Diego State University’s President, Dana Elazar.
Dana is a Senior at SDSU with a major in Biology, where she intends on continuing education with Medical School after graduation.
Among being the President of her Chapter, Dana formerly held the position as a StandWithUs Emerson Fellow, and now serves as the StandWithUs Southwest Campus Liaison.
Dana is a clear, and confident pro-Israel voice on campus. Her connection to Israel shows her natural position with SSI’s values of pro-Israel, grassroots, work.
“I was born in Israel to Israeli parents and Lechi (the militia for independence) grandparents. The Jewish core value of determination and resilience was dinner table talk. My grandfather changed his last name in honor of Israel’s independence to Elazar, or God helped. My grandfather fought for the Jewish right to self determination and I am continuing his fight.”
San Diego State University’s campus tends to lean more apathetically, according to Dana. The campus in a general sense is fairly apathetic about just about any topic — not just Israel. Those that do care, and choose to act are very fractured. The majority of students don’t have an opinion, or aren’t informed enough to form one.
SDSU previously had a Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter, but because of the determination of the students like Dana, BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions Movement) was defeated, and SJP was eradicated — making the SSI chapter the most well-known and recognized pro-Israel club on campus, of which Dana is most proud to have witnessed grow throughout her years.
Anti-semitism was a big problem at my high school and no one cared. My freshman year SJP brought the apartheid wall and I had to act. I rushed to Target and bought poster boards and markers and made my own signs in support of Israel and just sat in front of them. Then SSI started setting a table and I’ve been SSI ever since!
By being involved in SSI, Dana says she has developed strong leadership skills, extreme organization habits, and great responsibility. Her biggest goal within her SSI chapter is to continue to build coalitions and relationships with other groups on campus.
Like every SSI activists, Dana is a Zionist. In her own words, Zionism is, “The Jewish right to safety and liberty in our home land.” She attributes her Zionistic values to her grandfather and father, whose stories inspire her to defend and protect Israel as best as she can.
The Jewish right to safety and liberty in our home land
SSI National is so proud of Dana Elazar, and we are excited to see what she and her chapter accomplish this academic year!
