When you’ve fought in an actual war, the battlefield of ideas and words might seem like small potatoes. But Benaya Cherlow understands that actual wars can only be prevented by ideas and words.

Born in Jerusalem to an American father and Lebanese mother, he studied decision-making strategy and diplomacy in Herzliya, Israel, then moved to Washington, D.C. in June of 2023 for an internship with United States Representative Brad Schneider, a Democrat who represents Chicago’s northern suburbs.

Four months later, everything changed: His Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reserve unit was called upon, and he served 103 days.

Throughout that time, he kept in touch with his contacts on Capitol Hill, and when he returned, he organized a group with five other Israeli-Americans who, like him, were returning to the U.S. from IDF duty. 

The result: three days of meetings with a bipartisan group of representatives and senators — eight Democrats, nine republicans — that aimed at building and broadening support for pro-liberty policies, especially during times of crisis.

“My role is about bridging gaps — between the American public and complex foreign policy issues, between decision-makers and facts on the ground. It’s fast-paced, strategic, and deeply values-driven,” he summarized. “I was deeply involved in shaping messaging and building bipartisan support around some of the most sensitive and high-stakes issues — Israel, the Middle East, and antisemitism.”

He said further to The Jerusalem Post, “Many Israelis think they understand American politics. They don’t. And many Americans, they think they understand the politics of Israel, but they don’t. So we tried to build a bridge on this gap, because we can talk to them [in both languages] about how Israelis [receive] what Americans are saying, and how in America it sounds [like] what Israelis are saying,” he said.

Ideas and words; words and ideas. Not as destructive as bombs and bullets, but, perhaps, the only way to stop them permanently. As Benaya put it in a social media post about his appearance at the Jewish News Syndicate summit, “Words shape wars … It’s on us to fight back with truth, clarity, and courage.”

Here’s more about Benaya, in the form of a short Q&A, about how he learned, with Students For Liberty’s guidance, which words and ideas are worth promoting.

Q: Who or what is your greatest pro-liberty influence? And why did it resonate so much with you?

A: Reading The Road to Serfdom was a turning point for me. Hayek helped me understand that centralized planning, even with good intentions, inevitably leads to the erosion of individual freedom. What resonated most was his insistence that economic freedom and personal liberty are inseparable — that you can’t have one without the other.

He gave me the language to articulate what I instinctively felt: that true progress comes from a free society where individuals are trusted to make decisions, rather than being managed by bureaucrats.

Q: What do you consider your greatest success?

A: Looking back, I’ve had the chance to be part of some amazing projects — from starting a national initiative for kids with Down syndrome, to speaking on international stages, to helping shape the public image of a major renewable energy company.

But without a doubt, the greatest achievement so far has been working inside the U.S. Congress.

As someone who grew up in Israel and served as a military officer, I never imagined I’d one day walk the halls of Capitol Hill as an adviser on foreign policy. I was deeply involved in shaping messaging and building bipartisan support around some of the most sensitive and high-stakes issues — Israel, the Middle East, and antisemitism. Being part of real decision-making processes, seeing how policy is crafted, and knowing my input could actually move the needle — that’s a responsibility I’ll never take lightly.

Q: How did SFL help you achieve it?

A: SFL was the springboard. Before joining Students For Liberty, I had the drive — but not always the tools and the platform. SFL gave me both. Through their leadership programs, fundraising training, and international network, I gained the confidence and experience I needed to grow.

I organized events in Israel, built partnerships with think tanks, and led fundraising campaigns that raised millions for liberty-focused initiatives. I also won their public speaking competition, which led to me speaking at LibertyCon in Lisbon — an experience that pushed me to think globally and connect with like-minded people from all over the world. More than anything, SFL taught me how to take bold ideas and turn them into action. That mindset followed me into every role I’ve taken since, including in Congress.

Q: What’s your most impactful memory from your time in SFL?

A: There’s one moment that sticks with me above all the rest: standing on the main stage at LibertyCon Europe 2023 in Lisbon. Just weeks earlier, I had won the SFL “Why Liberty?” public speaking contest. I was representing Israel and speaking about China’s siege mentality in front of hundreds of students, leaders, and thinkers from across the world.

It was surreal — but it also felt like a turning point. It wasn’t just about that speech — it was about realizing that the liberty movement is truly global, and that voices from places like Israel have something powerful to contribute. That moment helped me understand what leadership really looks like: speaking up, stepping forward, and being willing to shape the conversation.

Q: In your own words, how would you describe what you’re doing now?

A: I work as a political advisor in the U.S. Congress, focusing on building bipartisan support for pro-liberty and pro-Israel policies, especially during times of crisis. My role is about bridging gaps — between the American public and complex foreign policy issues, between decision-makers and facts on the ground. It’s fast-paced, strategic, and deeply values-driven.

Q: What role did Students For Liberty play in getting you to this point in your life and career?

A: My background with SFL helped me in ways I still carry every day — not just intellectually, but in terms of the people. The ideas of liberty are important, but the people who fight for them are everything. SFL gave me a community of committed, courageous, principled friends and mentors who helped me believe that change is possible, even in systems as massive as the United States Congress. That sense of purpose and solidarity still drives me.