September 10 -11, 2023
 
Israeli society is a mosaic of ethnic, religious, and political groups, each with its own characteristics and history; historically, the various groups have not always had much interaction and today they seem to be moving even further away from one another. This can be seen with the rift over the judicial overhaul plan, resulting in street demonstrations that have been going on for months every Saturday night attracting hundreds of thousands. How is the political system contributing to these divisions? What efforts can be undertaken to bridge the growing divides between secular and religious, between Jews and Arabs, and between numerous ethnic groups in the society, including Mizrahi and Ethiopian Israelis? We brought together scholars, writers, and activists who are analyzing the gaps in Israeli society and are working to build bridges across these divides that at times seem insurmountable.  

View Conference Website for conference participants and schedule.

Opening Panel: Recognizing the Gaps in Israel’s Society with Mohammad Darawshe (Givat Haviva), Ruth Calderon (ALMA Center) and Zvi Ben-Dor Benite (NYU)
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Panel 1: Secular-Religious Divide with panelists: Gilad Malach (IDI), Dan Ben-David (Shoresh Institution for Socioeconomic Research), Alexander Kaye (Brandeis)
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Panel 2: Arab-Jewish Divide with Panelists: Rebecca Bardach, Ayala Hendin (Washington University in St. Louis), Raghad Jaraisy (Sikkuy-Aufoq)
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Lunch Keynote by Dana Blander (IDI)
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Panel 3: Ethnic Divisions Among Israel’s Jewish Society with Panelists: Efrat Yerday (BAMAH Visting Scholar, AU), Hillel Cohen (Hebrew University), Yuval Evri (Brandeis)
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March 6, 2023
 
The majority of Israelis today can trace back part or all of their ancestry to immigrants from the Arab world. Ranging from Iraq to Morocco, and from Syria to Yemen, the histories and identities of these communities differed significantly prior to their immigration to Israel, although they all lived for more than a thousand years under Islamic rule and were Arabic speakers. Since the 1980s, the term Mizrahim (literally “Easterners”) has been gradually replacing previous terms, such as “edot ha-mizrah” (the Eastern Communities) or Sephardim (descendants of Iberian Jews), despite the fact that many of them originated in countries located much to the west of Israel, such as Morocco or Egypt. Some immigrants and their descendants chose the term Arab Jews for themselves in order to underline that before their immigration they were part of the Arab world, just as European Jews had been part of Europe.

This conference explored the place which this heterogeneous group occupies in Israel’s society, its fights against discrimination and marginalization, its role in politics, and its search for identity.

Yifat Bitton (President, Achva Academic College) gave the keynote address for the conference, cosponsored by the American University World Languages and Cultures Department and the Center for Israel Studies.
 
Watch keynote by Yifat Bitton (Achva College)

Watch panel 1 with Caroline Kahlenberg (University of Virginia) and Shoshana Madmoni-Gerber (Suffolk University)

Watch panel 2 with Zvi Ben-Dor Benite (New York University) and Bryan Robe (University of Michigan)

November 13-14, 2022
 
International scholars and experts gathered at American University on Sunday, November 13 and Monday, November 14 for a public conference, “How Many Elections Can Israel Handle? Challenges Facing Israel’s Democracy”. Sponsored by AU’s Center for Israel Studies (CIS), and co-sponsored by its School of International Service and School of Public Affairs, the conference explored the growing concern among scholars, experts, and democracy watchdog organizations about the fragility of Israeli democracy.

With five elections in three years, is Israeli democracy in real danger or are the dire warnings an exercise in hyperbole? What measures might Israel take to strengthen and help to preserve its democracy? The conference addresses these and other related questions over two days.

Over a dozen conference presenters included Aluf Benn, Editor in Chief, Haaretz, Benny Brown (Hebrew University/Israel Democracy Institute), an expert on religion and law, Guy Ben-Porat, Chair of the Department of Politics and Government at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, also a co-sponsor of the conference, Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler (Israel Democracy Institute), an expert on media and democracy, and several Arab-Israeli and Druze experts on minority rights in Israel. These include Dr. Anwar Mhajne (Stonehill College), an Umm al-Fahem native, and specialist in gender, religion, and Middle Eastern politics, Dr. Nasreen Haddad Haj-Yahiya, a leading researcher in Israel on Arab society’s economic and social development, and Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh, the first Druze woman to become a member of the Knesset and the Jewish Agency’s first Druze emissary to the United States.

Three discussion panels focused on “Can Israel be Both Jewish and Democratic?” “The 2022 Knesset Elections – Post-Election Analysis,” and “What Does the Future Hold for Israeli Democracy?”Aluf Benn, Editor-in-Chief of Haaretz, gave the keynote address at the Center for Israel Studies 2022 fall conference, on November 13-14, 2022. In his address, Benn outlined the key events shaping the current state of democracy in Israel.

Watch keynote video

View photos

November 10-11, 2019

CIS hosted an international conference on refugees and asylum seekers in Israel. The conference examined the different groups of mostly non-Jewish immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers by assembling the leading academic experts in the field, as well as activists and the voices of refugees themselves. The conference was made possible through the assistance of the Jewish Studies Program, the Knapp Family Foundation and American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

Refugees and Asylum Seekers Event Photos

October 28-29, 2018

This conference focused on the Israeli diaspora from New York to Nairobi and from Berlin to Mumbai, Israelis around the world, and featured a panel of speakers that included Israel studies scholars, authors, diplomats, and philanthropists. Panelists included: Gur Alroey, Maya Arad, Dan Arbell, Dan Ben-David, Michael Brenner, Erran Carmel, Roni Floman, Calvin Goldsheider, Lilach Lev-Ari, Pamela Nadell, Ruby Namdar, Shelly Oria, Uzi Rebhun, Shira Ruderman, Randa Serhan, Natalie Shammay, Maina Chawla Singh, Lauren Strauss, Elad Strohmayer, Ronit Gudes Totah, Ori Yehudai, and Guy Ziv.

View photos from Israel Abroad.

February 11, 2018

One fifth of Israel's population are Arab citizens. While they share Arab language and culture, they are a very heterogeneous population. Some are Muslims, while others are Christians; some are Bedouins, and others are Druze. Some live in exclusively Arab towns and villages, while others reside in mixed cities such as Haifa and Akko. Most are Israeli citizens, but many residents of Jerusalem are not. Some regard themselves as Israeli Arabs, others call themselves Palestinian citizens of Israel. This conference brought together an expert group of scholars and activists, who spoke on the changing agendas and aspirations of this diverse population. It shed light on existing projects for Jewish-Arab cooperation in Israel and on initiatives for a common future.The conference was co-sponsored by the Center for Israel Studies, Arab World Studies Program, Washington College of Law Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law and Greater Washington Forum on Israeli Arab Issues.

View photos from The Arab Population in Israel 1948 to Today. 

November 12-13, 2017

Renowned Israeli chefs and scholars gathered for a day-long conference of passionate discussion surrounding the dynamic world of Israeli cuisine and culture. The conference explored the intersection of Israeli cuisine and society through the lens of history, demographic changes, and the integration of various cultures into the nation. The conference featured scholars in the fields of food studies, cultural studies, and anthropology, in tandem with chefs, writers, and historians. Featured on JTA and i24 news.

View Israeli Cuisine as a Reflection of Israeli Society photos.

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Through a series of four expert panels, the all day conference explored cutting-edge U.S.-Israel cyberpolicy issues involving national security, crime, human rights, and the digital economy. Topics included active cyber military operations, internet freedom, cybertheft, and technological capabilities. Each panel explored the responsibilities of various governmental agencies as well as the roles of the private sector and the public in each country.
Co-sponsored by American University in partnership with American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Additional co-sponsors: Maryland/Israel Development Center, Internet Society Washington DC Chapter, and Future of Privacy Forum. Support provided by Bender Foundation in memory of Sondra D. and Howard Bender.

View Event Keynote Video.

View Event Keynote Photo Album.

View Morning Video.
Cybersecurity and Human Rights (Beginning of video to 1:42:20)
The Cybersecurity Industry (1:42:50 to end of video)

View Afternoon Video.
Cybertheft Prevention and Response (Beginning of video to 1:27:28)
Cyber Security and National Security Policies-the U.S. and Israel (1:27:29 to end of video)

View Cybersecurity in an Age of Uncertainty: US-Israel Perspectives photos.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

This international conference brought together leading scholars, artists, writers, and activists, who discussed what the kibbutz meant for the shaping of Israel, how it entered its existential crisis, and the forces behind its contemporary renewal. The conference culminated with a screening of Children of the Sun, an award-winning film about the kibbutz and a panel discussion which included the film's director, Ran Tal, and Israeli writer Yael Neeman. Co-sponsored by the Center for Israel Studies, Jewish Studies Program and Department of History.

View Event The Kibbutz: Ideal, Crisis, Renewal Photo Album.

View Event The Kibbutz: Ideal, Crisis, Renewal Video Playlist.

March 5, 2024

Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova welcomed AU students to Ukraine House for a discussion of past and present Ukraine-Israel Relations with Ukrainian and Israeli diplomats and a scholar of Ukrainian Jewish History, Dr. Vadim Altskan. CIS Director Michael Brenner moderated the discussion with Dr. Katerina Smagliy, Secretary for Public and Cultural Diplomacy at the Embassy of Ukraine, Israeli Minister Counselor Nadav Zysblat, and Dr. Altskan of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Ambassador Markarova commented that Ukraine and Israel were the only countries in the world with Jewish prime ministers and presidents. The wide-ranging discussion began with a concise history of Ukrainian-Jewish Relations, and moved into current events. Students enjoyed a delicious Ukrainian supper after the discussion.

Ukraine Event Photos

 

November 28, 2022 

German Ambassador Emily Haber hosted a full house of AU students and faculty at the Federal Republic of Germany's embassy. Moderated by Professor Michael Brenner, a conversation with Ambassador Haber and and Israeli Ambassador Michael Herzog focused on Germany-Israel relations. The start of the discussion focused on the 1,700-year history of the Jews in Germany. The conversation then touched on the past and present relations between the two nations, emphasizing the importance of youth exchanges. Students enjoyed a German supper after the discussion.

German Embassy Event Photos

Screening of "Germans and Jews"

November 28, 2016

First we screened the film "Germans and Jews" which was about the way Germany has dealt with the subject of the Holocaust. Then Stefan Buchwald, Director of the Embassy's German Information Center USA, led a discussion with the film-makers, Tal Recanati & Janina Quint, and Michael Brenner, Director of the AU Center for Israel Studies.

View Germany and the Jews Photo Album.

February 11th, 2020

Latvian Ambassador Māris Selga hosted diplomats from Latvia and Israel and AU for a diplomatic discussion at the beautiful Latvian Embassy. In one of the evening’s highlights, Ambassador Ilgvars Klava, Director General of the Bilateral Relations Directorate of the Latvian Foreign Ministry, gave a fascinating history of Latvian-Israel relations. He also discussed the importance of bilateral relations as well as multilateral relations, like with NATO. Students enjoyed a delicious Latvian supper after the discussion.

Latvia Event Photos

November 18^th, 2019

His Excellency Martin Weiss. Austrian Ambassador to the United States, welcomed AU students, faculty, and Friends of the Center for Israel Studies to the Austrian Embassy for a discussion of Austria-Israel Relations, "From the Birth of Zionism to Present Day." Participating in the discussion were Israel’s Deputy Ambassador to the United States, Benjamin Krasna and CIS director Michael Brenner.

Austria Embassy Event Photos

February 26, 2019

H.E. Martin Dahinden, the Ambassador of Switzerland to the United States, Simon Geissbühler, Deputy Ambassador of Switzerland to the United States, and Tammy Ben-Haim, Minister of Public Diplomacy at the Embassy of Israel discussed a long history of Israel-Switzerland relations. After an incredible panel, our distinguished guests joined the students in light conversation over a delicious dinner featuring Swiss-Israeli fusion cuisines. 

View Swiss Embassy photo album.

November 14, 2018

This discussion on Israel-Japanese relations in trade, technology, and counter-terrorism was hosted at the Embassy of Japan with Deputy Ambassador of Japan to the United States Kazutoshi Aikawa, Minister of Public Diplomacy at Embassy of Israel Tammy Ben-Haim, AU Abensohn Chair in Israel Studies Michael Brenner, and Former Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of Israel-Tokyo, AU Professor Dan Arbell.

View Japan Embassy photo album.
Read More about the Japan Embassy event on Student Israelity.

Israelis in Africa: "The Kenya-Israel Connection"

October 29, 2018

The first Global Israel series event of the fall 2018 semester, this discussion on the Israeli diapsora in Africa, and in particular, the Kenya-Israel connection, was hosted at the Embassy of the African Union with Embassy of Kenya's Deputy Ambassador David Kahiro Gacheru, Embassy of Israel's Political Counselor Einat Weiss, and Abensohn Chair in Israel Studies Professor Michael Brenner. We were welcomed by Policy Officer at the Mission to the African Union Seraphine Manirambona.

View photos of Israelis in Africa.

October 19, 2017

Ambassador Leonidas Pantelides welcomed AU students for a discussion on Israel-Cyprus relations with Einat Weiss,Poltiical Officer, Embassy of Israel and Professor Dan Arbell, former Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Israel.

Rerad a student reflection: Israeli-Cypriot Relations: A Special and Strategic Relationship that Transcends Time

View Cyprus Embassy Photo Album.

March 22, 2018

H.E. George Cristian Maior, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary welcomed AU Students to the beautiful Romanian Embassy to learn about Romanian-Israeli relations, including the long history of Jews in Romania, and the many Romanian Jewish immigrants who have played important roles in Israel. Joining Ambassador Maior was Reuven Azar, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Israel and Michael Brenner, Abensohn Chair in Israel Studies.

View photos from the Romania event.

September 13, 2017

H.E. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, Ambassador of the African Union Mission to the United States, welcomed AU students, alumni and faculty for a discussion on past and present Israel-Africa relations. Joining Ambassador Chihombori-Quao was Ambassador Frederic Hegbe of Togo and Reuven Azar, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Israeli Embassy. The African Union represents all 55 countries on the African continent.

View Togo Photo Album.

December 6, 2016

The Embassy of Italy hosted a diplomatic discussion on December 6 highlighting the long history between Italy and Israel.

View Italy Photo Album.

November 7, 2016

Peter Zelenak, Deputy Head of Mission of the Slovak Republic to the United States, welcomed AU students, faculty and invited Friends of the Center for Israel Studies for a discussion on past and present Israel-European relations. Deputy Ambassador Zelenak was joined by diplomats from the Czech Republic and Israeli embassies. This discussion at the Embassy of Slovakia is part of the ongoing "Global Israel" series of events at area embassies, focusing 2016-17 on Israel's relations with European nations. Slovakia currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union.

View Slovakia Photo Album.

February 29, 2016

The Global Israel event at the Embassy of India highlighted the growing relationship between Israel and India, with a focus on their partnerships and positions of technological and cybersecurity world centers. AU Professor Maina Singh offered an interesting perspective on the relationship as she discussed her recent research. She talked about how Israeli students are experiencing and influencing Indian culture as they backpack the country after their required military service. Students and AU community members were treated to an authentic Indian dinner following the discussion and Q&A.

View India Photo Album.

October 8, 2015

The Ethiopian Embassy hosts AU students for a wonderful discussion. In this event, Pnina Agenyahu, senior shlicha at the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, described her personal journey from Ethiopia to Israel and the life of Ethiopians in Israel, past and present.

View Ethiopia Photo Album.

September 9, 2015

The Embassy of Uruguay welcomed a full crowd for this exciting event - the first in our new Global Israel series! Ambassador Gianelli hosted AU students for "empanadas and conversation" about historic Israel-Uruguay partnership at Embassy of Uruguay.

View Uruguay Photo Album.

Students from the SIS Summer 2019 Graduate Practicum, “Environmental Peacebuilding in the Middle East,” presented their research findings with faculty advisors Dr. Eric Abitbol and Dr. Ken Conca, in a presentation entitled "Water-Food-Energy Nexus Cooperation and Peacebuilding in the Middle East." The team evaluated a date farming joint project between Israelis and Palestinians organized by the Palestinian Wastewater Engineers Group and the Arava Institute. The practicum team included Dana Albalboul, Drew Brewer, Tess Dornfeld, Nathan Erwin, Aleah Holt, Miranda Laurion, Kelcey Negus, Kyla Peterson, Clara Summers, Hannah Taysod and Kamil William. The Center of Israel Studies, the SIS Global Environmental Politics program, SIS, Universalia, Arava Institute, Palestinian Wastewater Engineers Group, and the Office of International Study at American University all co-sponsored this program.

View photos from Environmental Peacebuilding in the Middle East.

November 12, 2018

The SIS Summer 2018 Graduate Practicum, “Environmental Peacebuilding in the Middle East,” presented their research findings with faculty advisors Dr. Eric Abitbol and Dr. Ken Conca.  Seven members of the practicum team––Ann Williamson, Gloria Schultz, Jia Jiameizi, Maggie Burns, Michael Band, Milad Abraham, and Rita Kirkpatrick––reported on the joint project between the Palestinian Wastewater Engineers Group and the Arava Institute in using date farming to improve relations between Israelis and Palestinians. The Center of Israel Studies, the Global Environmental Policy program, and the Office of International Study at American University all co-sponsored this program.
 

View SIS Water and Peace Graduate Practicum Research Presentation photos.

September 12, 2016

Students from the 2016 SIS Summer graduate practicum, "Finding Cooperation Amid Conflict: Israeli-Palestinian Water-Energy-Food Cooperation in the Middle East," presented their research along with their AU faculty advisors, Dr. Eric Abitbol and Dr. Ken Conca. Co-sponsored by the School of International Service Global Environmental Politics Program.

View SIS Graduate Practicum Report: Finding Cooperation amid Conflict photos.

Sept. 29th, 2022

Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer, born in Germany in 1928, was sent to an orphanage in Switzerland at the age of ten. Her parents were killed during the Holocaust. After immigrating to British-controlled Palestine, she was for a very short time in the Haganah, before being wounded on both legs on her 20th birthday. In our conversation, she discusses her childhood in Germany, her years in a Swiss orphanage, and her time in Israel before and during the 1948-49 war.

Watch the lecture video

February 7, 2022

Former Israeli Vice Prime Minister Tzipi Livni delivered the annual Perlmutter Memorial Lecture, "Israel as a Jewish and Democratic State: Challenges and Vision"

Watch lecture video

 

April 5 2022 

Kenneth Stern delivered the Helen and Daniel Sonenshine Lecture, "The Israel/Palestine Campus Debate," followed by a student discussion.

Watch lecture video

March 15, 2021 

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak delivered the 2021 Amos Perlmutter Memorial Lecture on Israeli politics and foreign affairs. Watch the lecture.

March 26, 2019

Former Member of Knesset Einat Wilf offered remarks about women in Israel and discussed women and politics in Israel today with Tamara Wittes (Brookings Institution). Co-sponsored by CIS and Women & Politics Institute, SPA.

View photos from the Women and Politics event.
Watch the Women and Politics event video.

December 3, 2018

Meir Shalev discussed the sustainability of the revival of the Hebrew language. Shalev is one of Israel's best known novelists and a columnist for Yediot Ahronot, Israel's most popular newspaper. Co-sponsored by the Center for Israel Studies and the Department of Literature.

View photos from the Meir Shalev event.
View the Meir Shalev event video.
Read More about Meir Shalev's Presentation on Student Israelity.

March 1, 2018

Shifting power dynamics in the Middle East have left the region looking vastly different then it did only 10 years ago. Some experts have argued that the growing strength of Iran has pushed the Gulf States to form an unofficial strategic relationship with an unlikely ally: Israel. Former US Treasury Attache to Qatar and Kuwat Michael Greenwald joined us for a discussion on the past, present and future of Israel's diplomatic relationship with the Gulf States.

View Gulf States Photo Album.

Monday, January 22, 2018

Appointed by President Barack Obama, Daniel Shapiro served as the United States Ambassador to Israel from July 2011 until the end of the Obama Administration. As Ambassador, Shapiro won praise from leaders of both countries for his deft management of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Among Shapiro's major contributions were negotiating the $38 billion Memorandum of Understanding for U.S. military aid to Israel, unprecedented public outreach in fluent Hebrew to Israel's diverse communities, and 40 percent growth in U.S.-Israel trade. Shapiro's time as the Ambassador to Israel followed a diverse career of ove3r 20 years in senior foreign policy and national security positions in the United States Government. 

View Daniel Shapiro Photo Album.

Monday, March 6, 2017

Former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe "Bogie" Ya'alon delivered this year's Amos Perlmutter Memorial lecture, sponsored by CIS and the School of Public Affairs.

This was Moshe Ya'alon's first public talk since he formally announced that he will be forming a new political party and seeking the position of Prime Minister of Israel in Tel Aviv.

View photos from the Moshe Ya'alon event.
View video from the Moshe Ya'alon event.

American University’s Israeli Writer Series brings influential Israeli writers virtually to the American University campus. Through public lectures and literature master classes we will experience Israeli identity through the eyes and ears of some of its most important cultural voices. The Israeli Writer Series is co-sponsored by the Center for Israel Studies, Department of Literature and the Jewish Studies Program. The 2024 series is sponsored by the Ken and Mimi Heyman Israel Studies Programming Fund. The 2023 series was made possible through the generosity of the Knapp Family Foundation.

View videos and photos of Israeli Writer Series

February 19, 2020  

Deborah E. Lipstadt, Historian and Emory University's Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies, spoke about "Israel: A Lightning Rod for Antisemitism" on Feb. 19 at American University. The talk was part of the Bishop C.C. McCabe Lecture series in the College of Arts and Sciences and the lecture was co-sponsored by the Center for Israel Studies and Jewish Studies Department.

A Lightning Rod for Antisemitism photos.

February 6, 2020

Dennis Ross and David Makovsky gave the Amos Perlmutter Memorial Lecture on their recent book, Be Strong and Of Good Courage: How Israel's Most Important Leaders Shaped its Destiny. Michael Brenner, Abensohn Chair in Israel Studies, moderated the conversation on Israel's defining generation of leaders, their character, and their judgments in the face of national peril, and implications for today’s leaders. The talk was followed by an audience Q&A and book-signing reception. The annual lecture is in memory of School of Public Affairs (SPA) Professor Amos Perlmutter, who taught at the University for nearly thirty years, and was a world renowned scholar of political leadership in the Middle East.

View Amos Perlmutter Memorial Lecture photo album.

Watch the Amos Perlmutter Memorial Lecture video.

October 15, 2019

Tom Segev, Israel historian and author, discussed his new biography of David Ben-Gurion, highlighting the history of Zionism and Israel. Segev is one of Israel’s most established journalists with several books in the New York Times’ Best Books of the Year lists.

View photos of the Tom Segev event.
View video from the Tom Segev event.

September 10, 2019

Etgar Keret, internationally acclaimed Israeli author, storyteller, and filmmaker, read from his newest book, Fly Already, and discussed the critical role of writers in Israeli society today.  Keret’s work has been published in 46 countries and translated into 41 languages. Co-sponsored by Center for Israel Studies, Department of Literature and Jewish Studies Program.

View photos from the Etgar Keret event.

March 19, 2019

Author Francine Klagsbrun discussed Golda Meir and her legacy. Klagsbrun’s book, Lioness: Golda Meir and the Nation of Israel, a biography of the fourth prime minister of Israel, won the Jewish National Book Award’s “2017 Book of the Year Award.” Moderated by Pamela Nadell, Patrick Clendenen Chair in Women’s and Gender History. Co-sponsored by School of Public Affairs, CIS and Jewish Studies Program.

View Francine Klagsbrun Photo Album
Watch Francine Klagsbrun Video

February 6, 2019

Bulgarian Ambassador Tihomir Stoytchev presented the "Valentin Krustev Award for Translation" to renowned DC poet and translator, Barbara Goldberg, for her translations of Israeli poetry. Ms. Goldberg read from her translations of 50 Israeli poets on the subject of love and war. The award was presented by the William Meredith Foundation in conjunction with Nancy at Ninety: A Retrospective of Form and Color, an exhibition of work by DC-based sculptor Nancy Frankel. 

February 5, 2019

Professor Shaul Mitelpunkt (University of York) discussed his new book, Israel in the American Mind.

View Mitelpunkt Photo Album
Read more on Israel in the American Mind on Student Israelity

October 23, 2018

Authors Boaz Atzili (AU) and Wendy Pearlman (Northwestern University) spoke about their new book, Triadic Coercion: Israel’s Targeting of States That Host Nonstate Actors, which explores the phenomenon of states targeting other states that host belligerent nonstate actors in the context of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Discussants were Bruce Hoffman (Georgetown) and Sibley Telhami (UMD, Brookings).

October 18, 2018

David Rosenberg, Haaretz business editor, discussed his new book, Israel’s Technology Economy: Origins and Impact, which uses start-up companies as lens to understand the way Israel’s unique history, political system, and economy have contributed to Israel being one of the world’s leading centers of high technology.

April 10, 2018
Michael Brenner, Seymour and Lillian Abensohn Chair in Israel Studies, discussed his new book, In Search of Israel: The History of an Idea with Arie Dubnov, Max Ticktin Chair of Israel Studies at George Washington University.

View In Search of Israel photo album.

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Our Sondra D. and Howard Bender Israeli Writer Series on "The New Generation of Israeli Writers" continued with a discussion with acclaimed writer Assaf Gavron. Gavron's most recent book, The Hilltop addresses the reality in the West Bank, including violence, greed, lust for power and the blurring of values, but also a burning ideological passion. The book was a bestseller and won major awards in Israel, applauded by both sides of the political spectrum. A book-signing and dessert reception followed the discussion.

View Contemporary Writing photo album.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Alon Tal, a leading academic and veteran Israeli environmental activist, discussed his new book, The Land is Full: Addressing Overpopulation in Israel. Tal discussed the ramification of Israel's extraordinary population increase, including burgeoning pollution, dwindling natural resources, overburdened infrastructure, and overcrowding. Co-sponsored by American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Book signing reception followed the discussion.

View photos from the Is the Land Full event.

February 23, 2022

Israel Institute Visiting Scholar Roy Horovitz explored the intense contemporary Israeli theater scene. Watch the lecture.

  

March 28, 2019

Attendees gave Shesh Besh a standing ovation at their performance at American University. Shesh Besh, the Arab-Jewish Ensemble of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, brings together Jewish musicians of the first ranks of the orchestra with the finest Arab musicians in Israel. Co-sponsoring the concert with CIS were the AU Music Program and The Greater Washington Forum on Israeli Arab Issues. Co-sponsored by CIS and the Department of Performing Arts. Shesh Besh appeared through PMI, Performance Music International. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation for this Shesh Besh performance and AU student music workshop on 3/27.

View Shesh Besh Photo Album
Watch video of the Shesh Besh Concert

March 28, 2019

This interactive tech pop-up event featured early-stage Israeli companies exhibiting innovative products and technologies. Students networked with founders and CEOs, explored internship and employment opportunities with hot startups, and received free LinkedIn headshots.

August 27, 2019

Partnered with AMC Mazza Gallerie and AU's Academic Learning Communities office, CIS presented a private screening of MGM's film, Operation Finale.

Read a review of "Operation Finale" on Student Israelity.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Dani Menkin, author, filmmaker, and two time Israeli Academy Award winner showed clips and spoke about the process of writing and creating his newest documentary. On The Map, the uplifting, inspiring, and true story of Maccabi Tel Aviv's 1977 European Championship. The film recounts how Israeli basketball team gave hope to a nation in time when Israel was still suffering the heartache of the 1972 hijacking of an Air France flight from Tel Aviv. Dani Menkin was the first speaker in the Sondra D. and Howard Bender Israeli Writing Series, which focused on the "New Generation of Israeli Writers." This event was co-sponsored by the School of Communication's Media That Matters series and Center for Media and Social Impact.

View On the Map Photo Album.