Last week, the Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy Upper School’s Model United Nations team participated in the 29th annual Yeshiva University National Model United Nations Conference. The BCHA-Upper School team joined more than 425 students from 48 Jewish high schools from all across the country, as well as Canada, Brazil, and South Africa, in getting a taste of the complex landscape of international diplomacy.

BCHA-Upper School team members – including Noam Bellin-Schonfeld, Jed Devillers, Kovi Bodek, and Celia Rosen – represented Pakistan as they served on several committees and sought out solutions to issues of critical concern to today’s world such as those involving environmental protection, international child adoption, illegal small arms proliferation and food waste. The experience enabled students to hone their research and public speaking skills, as they sought to influence policy, bring about compromise, and structure resolutions to these pressing international issues.

Of course, it wasn’t all business: Students also had time to meet socialize and make connections with students from all over the world, and learn what it will take to be the next generation of Jewish leaders. 

The students are already preparing for next year, and are working to recruit additional students to enlarge and strengthen the BCHA delegation to next year’s Yeshiva University Model UN Conference.