Jerusalem Post, 10. März 2005 German Jewish youths teach peers IRINA BESSARAB In light of recent surveys showing that German youths have a very limited knowledge of Israel, German Jewish students have undertaken a pilot project to teach their peers about some facets of Jewish life in Israel and Germany. The Israel Short Questionnaire (ISQ - pronounced "I ask you") is the latest project of the Federal Association of Jewish Students in Germany (BJSD), in which about 10 Jewish student volunteers from each local Jewish Student Society of Germany will be sent to participate in an educational program at German secondary schools. Founded to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Germany, the project aims to correct misleading ideas of German pupils about modern Jewish life in both countries, under the motto "Tell them the truth." What do many German students not know? According to the BJSD's report on the recent pilot project in Hamburg, many of the 3,000 participants were unaware that: Israel is a democratic state. Jerusalem is Israel's capital (not Tel Aviv). Germany's Jewish population is around 150,000 (not millions). The project is being carried out under the patronage of Dr. Rita Suessmuth, president of the German Bundestag (Parliament), and Dr. Salomon Korn, vice president of the Central Jewish Committee of Germany. Like previous BJSD programs, it is supported by the Jewish Agency and the Central Committee of Jews in Germany. It will last eight months, after which its effectiveness will be evaluated. "The project is not politically motivated," BJSD chairwoman Elena Eyngorn told the Post in a telephone interview. "We want them to realize that they have the power to change stereotypical ideas. If they do not, who will?