Center for Israel Studies
Programs, 1998-2004

In-Residence Israeli Faculty

1. Ronny Somek, (Department of Literature),Poet, taught a master class and presented a public reading from The Fire Stays in Red (September 2002)

2. Nahum Tevet, (Department of Art), artist/sculptor, exhibition of his original installation in the Watkins Gallery, Arrangement of Six Units (October 1998)

3. David Grossman, (Department of Literature), fiction reading and workshop for students in Creative Writing (November 1998)

4. Batsheva Dance Company (Department of Performing Arts), two members of company taught in dance program and student performance of "Ehad Mi Yodea," from Anaphase (December 1998)

5. Moshe Dor (Jewish Studies), poet, instructor in course, "Voices of Modern Jewish Literature" Spring 1999)

6. Pedro Berliner (Environmental Studies), Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, taught in environmental studies classes and public lecture, "Agroforestry Systems in Arid Zones," (April 1999)

7. Yakir Plessner, (Department of Economics), Hebrew University, visiting professor (1998-1999)

8. Yoram Peri (School of International Service and College of Arts and Sciences), Hebrew University, visiting scholar (2000-2001)

9. Amir Kolben  (Department of Performing Arts), Director and Choreographer, Kombina Dance Company, taught in dance program and directed student performance of "So-Dom," from Kri-at Shma (April 2001)

10. Nella Cassouto (Department of Art), curator and art historian, curator of photographic exhibition at Watkins Gallery and lectures on art and memory (February 2002)

Study Abroad

1. Hebrew University, spring semester (1998 and 1999, suspended for 2001 and 2002)

2. Arava Institute, "Water and the Middle East," environmental studies summer course (planned to start in summer 2001 but suspended)

Conferences and Performances

1. "Music from Terezin: Music, Art, & Poetry from the Holocaust," Audubon String Quartet (March 1999)

2. "The History of American Jewish Political Conservatism," joint program with AU Jewish Studies and Department of History and with Temple University's Feinstein Center for the Study of American Jewish History (April 1999)

3. "Israel after Oslo," Association for Israel Studies, annual meetings (May 1999)

4. "Visions and Divisions," Association for Israel Studies, annual meetings (May 2001)

5. "Diaspora and Comparative Immigration," supported by the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture (May 2002)

6. "The New Anti-Semitism," A Symposium of the Center for Israel Studies, American University, with the School of International Service, Washington College of Law, and Jewish Studies Program

Other

1. Bender Library exhibit of historic posters, "Zionism and Israel," and donation of books and other materials to the Bender Library by then Israeli Ambassador, the late Eliahu Ben-Elissar (October 1998)

2. Batsheva Dance Company performance of Anaphase at the Kennedy Center, co-hosted for some 125 AU guests with after-performance reception hosted by AU President, Benjamin Ladner and then Israeli Ambassador, the late Eliahu Ben-Elissar (February 1998)

3. Shimon Peres, former Prime Minister and Nobel Prize Winner, College of Arts & Sciences Commencement speaker and awarded an AU Honorary Degree (May 1998)

4. Association for Israel Studies administrative offices moved to AU (January 1999)

5. Lillian Klein Abensohn The Center hosted a book party in honor of the latest book, From Deborah to Esther: Sexual Politics in the Hebrew Bible(Fortress Press 2003), by Lillian R. Klein (Abensohn). (September 2003)

6. Prof. Efraim Inbar, Director, Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, Bar-Ilan University " Is Peace between Palestinians and Israelis Possible?" (September 2003)

7. From Venture Capital to Start-Up: Israeli Technology in Silicon Wadi Guy Levy-Yurista Ph.D. Director, CeLight Inc. and Director, Technical Market Development spoke about recenttechnological developments in Israel. (September 2003)

8. Shlomo Gazit, retired Major-General and an expert on the Middle East spoke about his experiences (October 2003)

9. David Newman "Geneva, the Road Map and all the Rest: PeacePlans ad infinitum." (January 2004)

10. Motti Lerner screened and discussed his latest film "The Silence of the Sirens." (October 2004)

11. Etgar Lefkovits discussed his "Reflections of a Jerusalem Correspondent." (October 2004)

12. Elli Wohlgelernter spoke about "The day after November 2," an overview of where the Israeli-Palestinian situation is headed regardless of who wins on Election Day. (October 2004)