CampusJ: First off, can you ID yourself? (Name, Major, Year to Graduate)
Ari Lamm: Ari Lamm, Political Science (I think), and officially ‘09 but I’m considering ‘10
CampusJ: You’re the head of the YU Conservative Club?
Lamm: Yeshiva University Republicans
CampusJ: Did you found the group? If not, how long has it existed?
Lamm: I founded it, although I believe that there were previous incarnations like Jewish College Republicans. I think the last person to be involved in a similar group at YU is Yoni Perl.
CampusJ: And what inspired you to start the group?

Lamm: I’ve always been passionate about politics and I believe very strongly that citizens have a responsibility to try and better their country. I think this is certainly one way of doing that. I’m a conservative Republican and I sincerely believe that the Republican Party is the party that is most naturally compatible with Jewish interests and with the interests of the American people in general
CampusJ: How many members do you currently have?
Lamm: I hope to have more after the club fair - but our facebook site has (last time I checked) 70 members with numerous requests for Executive Board positions.
CampusJ: What are some of the specific things the club is involved with?
Lamm: We hope to set up some quality programming that will get the YU student body involved in the national political debate. We will accomplish this by bringing in dynamic speakers that will hopefully enlighten and inspire.
CampusJ: Can you give some examples of the programming? Or some of the speakers you might bring?
Lamm: We will hopefully run registration drives, letter writing campaigns, arrange shabbatonim and social events. I would like to bring in speakers like David Horowitz, Jeff Ballabon, maybe Dennis Prager. I need to get in touch with them first though! And hopefully some US Senators - to be announced.
CampusJ: What’s your relationship to the YU Democrats Club?
Lamm: Well Alex Boris and I are friends from this past summer - we both lived in the same housing program and I taught him everything he knows about guitar! Seriously though… I hope that we can facilitate a positive and constructive debate - while all the time keeping the dialouge in a Leshaim Shamayim context.
CampusJ: I noticed that the goals of both groups are written in strikingly similar language. Can you comment on that?
Lamm: Yes. I’m really happy you noticed that - I was a little annoyed. I think that some of the language in my email may have been unconsciously lifted. I’m sure that was an oversight. Either way, I think that it may reflect the fact that we are both competing for the feelings of the same Jewish Student Body… But I hope that YUR starts up its programming, the differences between our organizations will become obvious to all.
CampusJ: That’s all I’ve got; While you have the attentions of CampusJ readers, is there anything you’d like to say?
Lamm: Certainly. I look forward to a year of productive debate and I can’t wait to get as many students involved as possible. It is important to remember that the success of YUR is crucial insofar as policy-makers are just beggining to mark the trend of religious Jews (especially young religious Jews) towards the Republican Party. I feel that it is important that we help to establish that trend.