Diplomats in Training: The Shlomo Argov Fellows Program
By Joy Pincus

The following article was published in the Herzliyan, spring 2007 issue.

THIS YEAR, NINETEEN EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS from the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy & Strategy discovered the challenges of representing the State of Israel and the Jewish People, thanks to "The Argov Fellows Program," a unique learning experience at IDC Herzliya.

Initiated by Gideon Argov in memory of his father, the late Israeli Ambassador Shlomo Argov who was shot and critically wounded by terrorists in London in 1982, the program aims to create the Israeli ambassadors of tomorrow. A unique series of lectures and practical learning gives the participants the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to strengthen the position of the State of Israel and the Jewish People in the international arena.

These outstanding students hold immense potential for effecting positive change on the world’s view of Israel in years to come. According to IDC Herzliya President, Prof. Uriel Reichman, “This is a perfect example of people taking responsibility to keep the Jewish state alive."

One of the hallmarks of the program is a series of extended study periods abroad, where students can gain a first hand appreciation of the underpinnings and workings of the European Union, the United States government, emerging Asian economies and the global industries that shape public opinion throughout the world.

Led by program director, Dr. Alisa Rubin Peled, students flew to Europe in December, stopping first in Oslo, Norway to be hosted by the Middle East Program for Young Leaders, an NGO working to create young leaders who can facilitate conflict resolution in the Middle East. Following a visit with Norwegian parliament members, the Argov Fellows toured Oslo and heard from a wide range of speakers including Tomas Stangeland of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Dr. Henrik Syse, a prominent professor specializing in ethics.

The next leg of their journey was in Brussels, Belgium, for sessions with European parliament members, a briefing at the Israeli Mission to the European Union by Israeli Ambassador Oded Eran and an afternoon at the house of Mr. Paul Dahan, the father of an RRIS student and the largest private collector of Moroccan Jewish artifacts. At the end of the trip, Dr. Rubin remarked, “The students were admirable representatives of Israel, IDC and the Argov program and impressed everybody with their camaraderie, energy, intellect and excellent questions. I was very proud of them all.” 

The program’s premier Fellows have assembled from around the world and speak a combined total of ten languages. Each has accumulated experience in a position of leadership, whether through serving in an elite Israeli army unit, working at the office of Israel’s prime minister or volunteering for an NGO. One shining example is Moshe Alexenberg, 24, who while a native of Israel, was raised in Miami, Florida. A gifted student, Moshe graduated from high school at age 16, spent the next two years studying at a local college and serving as the campus newspaper’s editor-in-chief. He then decided to make aliyah in order to join the IDF, where he served for three years in the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit before becoming a student at IDC’s Raphael Recanati International School. Following graduation, Moshe intends to go into international business and eventually become a political consultant.

“I was attracted to the Argov program because diplomacy in general is something very close to my heart and because Shlomo Argov, a passionate, eloquent advocate for Israel is a role model of mine,” said Moshe. “You might say that for me, representing Israel is living my passion.”