YUPAC Goes On Annual Lobbying Trip to Capitol Hill

On April 15, Yeshiva University Political Action Committee (YUPAC) traveled with over 100 students to Washington, D.C. to lobby for Israel, meeting with 40 senators and representatives.

With buses leaving at 5 a.m. and returning close to 11 p.m., the day was jam-packed. Once arriving on the Hill, Rep. Laura Gillen (NY-04) addressed the group on the Capitol steps, where she expressed how much it meant to the people working on Capitol Hill to see a group of YU students advocating for what they were most passionate about. She later posted on X how she was “inspired to see these young leaders standing up for the Jewish community.”

Following her remarks, students were divided into 14 groups to visit legislative offices and meet with representatives, senators and staffers. Students were briefed in advance on topics such as Iran, Israel’s security and antisemitism. The groups lobbied for votes on pieces of legislation, such as affirming the threat of Iran if it were to procure a nuclear weapon and adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. In addition to pushing for legislation, YU students had the opportunity to thank these members of government for their continued support of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

Between lobbying sessions, the group received a surprise visit from Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15), a longtime ally of the Jewish community. Torres spoke about the importance of standing against antisemitism, reaffirmed his commitment to Israel and the Jewish people both in and out of Congress and expressed his appreciation for the next generation of Jewish advocates showing up to make their voices heard.

Following this, students returned to lobbying. One of these meetings was with Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), whose district covers YU’s Wilf Campus. Espaillat spent over 30 minutes with the group, asking students about their personal experiences and opinions, while discussing his own efforts to combat antisemitism locally. 

“We were able to sit down and have a real conversation with our representative,” Akiva Rosenberg (YC ‘28) told The Commentator. “He listened to everything we said and seemed to have genuine concern.”

After the second round of lobbying, all groups reconvened at the Capitol steps to hear remarks from Rep. Randy Fine (FL-6), the first and only member of Congress to wear a kippah on the House floor. Fine shared his road to Congress and sent students off with a charge: “We are going to lean into the fight, and we are never again going to allow what has happened to us in the past.” 

His words resonated deeply with David Cohen (SSSB ‘28), who was brutally assaulted by a gang on the subway earlier this year and has worn a kippah ever since. 

“It was truly inspiring to be able to share my story with a congressman who gets it,” Cohen shared with The Commentator. “Seeing him wearing a kippah and standing for our people, after everything I went through, reminded me exactly why being here today mattered.”

For YUPAC’s co-president, Bat-Tzion Atik (SCW ‘26), who spent countless hours handling the logistics that made the day possible, it was a fitting end to her final lobbying trip as a student.

“Getting to plan these trips has truly been the most meaningful part of my time in Stern. So much time and effort go into planning this day, and it was so special and fulfilling to see it all come to fruition,” said Atik. “We woke up early and spent the day lobbying, all with one shared goal of doing our part in showing up for the Jewish people.”

For most students, this trip meant so much more than just a day full of meetings; it instilled a clear sense of community and responsibility to act. As Josh Canner (SSSB ‘28) put it, “The biggest takeaway from this trip is that our voice has the ability to empower and impact Jews around the globe.”

“We were given a good platform, and it helped us learn how much of an impact we can truly have on the Jewish people.”

Photo Credit: Bat-Tzion Atik

Photo Caption: YUPAC Delegation in Washington, D.C.