After a three-year break, Debate for Peace made a highly anticipated return to Yale Model United Nations (YMUN), taking part in the 52nd edition of this prestigious global conference. The Israeli delegation—comprising seven accomplished students from six schools and cities across Israel—spent an inspiring week in New York City and New Haven, CT engaging in diplomacy, cultural exploration, and rigorous MUN competition.
The experience began with three days of visits to missions to the United Nations, where students met with diplomats from the Permanent Missions of Costa Rica, Austria, and the United States. These briefings gave delegates firsthand insight into how global representatives negotiate, advocate, and collaborate on critical international issues. Additionally, the group talked with Professor Mehnaz Afridi, Director of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Interfaith Education Center at Manhattan College.
A standout feature of this year’s trip was the warm welcome from the Park Avenue Synagogue community. Delegates were hosted by local families and participated in evening panels and workshops with synagogue youth groups at Park Avenue Synagogue and nearby Central Synagogue. The delegation also engaged in interfaith dialogue with Sheikh Musa Drammeh and joined a peacebuilding simulation organized by the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace and the Women’s Federation for World Peace—highlighting an emphasis on cross-cultural understanding and cooperative problem-solving.
Beyond diplomatic and educational activities, the students explored iconic New York City landmarks—from the 9/11 Memorial and Times Square to Roosevelt Island and the Staten Island Ferry.
At the heart of the visit was the Yale MUN conference itself, where nearly 2,000 students participated in 50 simultaneous committees. The Debate for Peace delegates took on roles in diverse committee topics, such as Jumanji, Money Heist, and the Yellowstone Explosion, pushing their research, negotiation, and public speaking skills to new heights. Among their achievements, Naomi Gildor earned an award for Best Position Paper as well as Best Delegate in the Blackfyre Crisis committee—a notable recognition of her exceptional preparation and performance.
In addition to committee sessions, the team took part in a peacebuilding simulation led by Yale’s International Leadership Center and shared a Shabbat lunch at Yale’s Slifka Center for Jewish Life, enriching their understanding of both global diplomacy and cultural tradition. The group left a lasting impression on all who met them, as highlighted by quotes from several of the youth educators who engaged with the students in NYC: “hearing from your group was a great way for our students to actually understand more about the reality (of diverse teens growing up in Israel)” - Noa Shaul, Assistant Director, Congregational School at Park Avenue Synagogue; “we cannot thank you all enough for sharing your incredible teens with us. Their maturity and thoughtfulness were inspiring to us and the 8th and 9th graders alike. Keep up the incredible work--they are exactly what this world needs” - Eve Morin, Assistant Director of the LCLJ at Central Synagogue.
Debate for Peace expresses deep appreciation to the YMUN organizers for supporting their participation and to the Park Avenue synagogue community for hosting the students.
Photo credits: Hala Abusaris
