At the beginning of June, Benaya Cherlow, our volunteer from Israel, started a new position as the political advisor to Congressman Brad Schneider. The offer came after Benaya was named among the 75 promising young minds in Israel by a national magazine.
“I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity, as it has afforded me invaluable insights and experiences. Within the internship, I have been entrusted with responsibilities that revolve around the pressing issues of the Middle East, including the Russia-Ukraine war, the historic Abraham Accords, and the multifaceted Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Looking ahead, I envisage pursuing graduate studies in the United States, while concurrently striving to attain influential roles within governmental structures, furthering my commitment to effect positive change on a larger scale,” sums up Benay about the experience.
To embark on a fulfilling career in public policy or politics, aspiring students must invest significant effort in acquiring a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, he believes.
“Furthermore, it is crucial to forge meaningful connections within the industry, demonstrating your value and ability to contribute to those in positions of power. Above all, cultivate a mindset that acknowledges no limits, for the only boundaries we encounter are those we impose upon ourselves. With this mindset, success becomes an attainable reality that can be realized by those who refuse to be confined by their own self-imposed limitations.”
He goes on to attribute a number of the international connections he has made, as well as his confidence in applying for roles such as this one, to his work as a volunteer with Students For Liberty, saying that “SFL afforded me invaluable international connections and the opportunity to stand before audiences, honing my oratory skills and instilling within me the confidence to address diverse crowds. It is through these transformative experiences that the organization has significantly influenced my trajectory, enabling me to reach the point at which I stand today.”
Despite taking up the position as a political advisor, Benaya is not losing his compass. In his words, “Hayek said that ‘to act on the belief that we possess the knowledge and the power which enable us to shape the processes of society entirely to our liking, knowledge which in fact we do not possess, is likely to make us do much harm’. I believe that any policy that is being enacted should be formulated with this core tenet of liberalism in mind – that our knowledge is limited, and we are not able and should not be able to direct the lives of others.”
This piece solely expresses the opinion of the author and not necessarily the organization as a whole. Students For Liberty is committed to facilitating a broad dialogue for liberty, representing a variety of opinions.
