NEWS FROM THE JEWISH STUDIES PROGRAM AND THE CENTER FOR STUDIES ■ Winter 2008

FROM THE DIRECTORS Looking Forward he past year was exhilarating for American University’s Jewish Studies Program and the Center for Israel Studies. When Jewish Studies first emerged at American University in the early 1970s, it refracted Jewish Pamela Nadell, Director, Jewish T civilization through the prisms of religion, history, and Jewish languages and literatures. Few, if any, could Studies Program have anticipated the new directions it would take. Responding to new faculty and student interests in Jewish studies, AU helped lead the way into Holocaust studies and Israel studies. This past year AU continued to further these directions through Prof. Richard Breitman’s new scholarship on the Holocaust, our conference “IsraelBiz@60,” and our ground- breaking exhibit Personal Landscapes: Contemporary Art from Israel. Now we look forward to a new year. Thanks to the generosity of the Jewish Studies Expansion Project, we welcome to our campus Tatjana Lichtenstein, one of the first Schusterman Teaching Fellows in Jewish Studies in the nation. Russell Stone, Yoram Peri is a visiting professor again, this time as the Dollye and Wolford Berman Visiting Professor of Israel Studies. Director, Center for Israel Studies Finally, we welcome home literature professors Marcela Sulak, who spent last spring in Israel as visiting poet at Bar-Ilan University’s Shaindy Rudoff Creative Writing Program, and Michael Wenthe, who returns from a semester at the Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies. Our activities would not be possible without your generosity. We invite you to continue your support for the Jewish Studies Program, the Center for Israel Studies, and the Seymour and Lillian Abensohn Endowment. With your help, we look forward to advancing Jewish studies and Israel studies in new directions for many more years to come. ■ Adina Kanefield, Deputy Director, Center for Israel Studies

Visiting Professor in Israel Studies Schusterman Teaching Fellow in Jewish Studies The center is once again hosting an Israeli visiting professor, Yoram Thanks to the generosity of the Jewish Studies Expansion Project, Peri, thanks this year to the generosity of the Dollye and Wolford the Jewish Studies Program welcomes Tatjana Lichtenstein as a Berman Foundation and the Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Schusterman Teaching Fellow in Jewish Studies. Foundation, and the support of the American-Israeli Cooperative The Jewish Studies Expansion Project, a pilot program aimed at Enterprise. Peri is professor of political sociology and communica- enhancing Jewish studies at underserved colleges and universities tion in the Department of Communication at University, around the country, is supported by a generous where he heads both the Rothschild- grant from the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Caesarea School of Communication and Family Foundation through the Foundation for the Chaim Herzog Institute for Media, Jewish Culture. AU was one of six universities Politics, and Society. He was political advi- selected from a national competition to partici- sor to the late prime minister pate in this program that expands Jewish and served as editor in chief of the Israeli studies course offerings. daily Davar. Peri has published five books Tatjana Lichtenstein holds degrees from and dozens of articles, editorials, commen- Tatjana Lichtenstein University of Copenhagen and Brandeis taries, and op-ed pieces. His most recent University. Her dissertation in history at the book, Generals in the Cabinet Room: How University of Toronto, “Making Jews at Home: Jewish Nationalism the Military Shapes Israeli Policy, was rec- in the Bohemian Lands, 1918–1938,” looks at the Zionist movement Yoram Peri ognized as one of the “best of the best” by in Czechoslovakia between the world wars, focusing on ways in the Association of American University which nationalism served as a vehicle for Jews’ integration. She has Presses, among others. He is also the author of Brothers at War: The published articles on interwar Zionism and Jews in Czechoslovakia Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and the Culture War in Israel, which in East European Jewish Affairs and the Simon Dubnow Institute’s received the Prime Minister’s Prize. Peri joins the Center for Israel Leipziger Beiträge zur jüdischen Geschichte und Kultur. At AU, she Peri continued on p. 3 will teach courses on modern Jewish politics, culture, and history. ■ -FTTPOTBOE%JSFDUJPOTJO*TSBFMT#VTJOFTTBOE&DPOPNZ *TSBFM#J[BU From the Director—Developments From the Director—News from Center Hosts Israel Business Conference in israel studies the Jewish Studies Program The Center for Israel Studies hosted 4DIFEVMFa major Israel businessPG&WFOUT conference, “Our Israeli guests thanked us for orchestrating a unique conference “IsraelBiz@60: Lessons and Directions in Israel's Business and 8BTIJOHUPO %$ Tuesday, March 4 that became a forum for critical self-reflection. . . . The result was an Economy,” inConference March, Co-chairs:2008, bringing scholars, entrepreneurs, DPGPVOEFSPGCJMMJPO he first academic association devoted to the study of Israel ith pride I follow our alumni who were deeply engaged as  Monday, March 3 intimate and frank discussion. Conference sessions$&0 are now available at Russell Stone, "NFSJDBO6OJWFSTJUZ #VUMFS1BWJMJPO #VUMFS#PBSESPPN .BTTBDIVTFUUTt Orey Gilliam,"WFOVF / 8 EPMMBSGPPEDPOHMPNFSBUF policymakers,t economists, students, lawyers, and community leaders $IJFG began in 1985. Not until 1997, as Israel’s 50th anniversary AU undergraduates in Jewish studies, and who now, as %JSFDUPS $FOUFSGPS 6OJWFSTJUZ$MVC  ourt Vered Web site.Dar, I plan to use them*$2 withBOE IFBEmy studentsPG"0- from 4USBVTT&MJUFaround (SPVQBOE 4IBSJOHIJT together to explore*TSBFM4UVEJFT developments in Israel’s4JYUFFOUI business4USFFU /8 and economy.8:45 a.m. &DPOPNJTUBOE4USBUFHJTU  .FTTBHJOH MFBEFSJO*TSBFMJDPSQPSBUF approached, did universities begin establishing teaching young adults, have taken those interests to wider Jewish  the world well into the future to teach themXJUI*TSBFMT aboutmSTU Israel’s unique T W With more thantErran 250 Carmel, participants and8BTIJOHUPO speakers%$ from around the0QFOJOH globe,3FNBSLT CZDPOGFSFODF 1TBHPU0GFL *TSBFMT FYQFSJFODF TPDJBMSFTQPOTJCJMJUZ chairs and centers devoted specifically to modern Israel. This year, contexts. Their accomplishments affirm that our mission of preparing 1SPGFTTPSPG*OGPSNBUJPO DPDIBJST MBSHFTUJOWFTUNFOUIPVTF  approachTUBSUVQ toBDRVJSFE economicJOBIJHI development.”4QFBLJOHPOUIFPQQPSUVOJUJFT the conference covered the high-tech sector, stock and bond mar- GPSCVTJOFTTHSPXUIBOE as Israel celebrates its 60th year of independence, the landmark students through intensive immersion in the diversity of the Jewish 5FDIOPMPHZ ,PHPE 7:00 p.m. t Russell Stone BOEGPSNFS%FQVUZ QSPmMF NVMUJNJMMJPOEPMMBS 4DIPPMPG#VTJOFTT %JSFDUPSJOUIF.JOJTUSZ BDRVJTJUJPO NBLJOHBEJGGFSFODF kets, family-controlled businesses, corporateReception, social Dinner, responsibility, and t Erran Carmel 1BSUOFS .JOU[  series of programs and events described in this newsletter marks experience trains them to assume important responsibilities as they Richard Linowes, RichardPG Linowes,'JOBODF%JTDVTTJOH ConferenceUIF Cochair,t Mark Kass, Professor of Managementt Nava Michael Tsabari, t Keynote Address Richard Linowes and international1SPGFTTPS trade,PHPE issues.4DIPPM Highlights included addresses tfrom SFWJUBMJ[FE*TSBFMJmOBODJBM 4QFBLJOHBCPVUIPX EPDUPSBMDBOEJEBUFPO the 10th anniversary of AU’s Center for Israel Studies. stretch beyond our campus. -FWJO 4QFBLJOH corporate and PGgovernment#VTJOFTT leaders in4QPOTPS Israel. Minister of National NBSLFUT *TSBFMJmSNTBSFCPSOHMPCBM GBNJMZCVTJOFTT There are now 20 centers and 22 chairs of Israel studies at U.S. Jewish studies majors: Nicole Samuel (CAS ’00) returned to AU 9:00–9:30 a.m.  POUIFDIBMMFOHFTPGGBNJMZ Infrastructure Binyamin (Fouad) Ben-EliezerMintz, Levin, presented Cohn, Ferris, Israel’s The conferencet Ohad exemplifies Cohen, the cross-cutting,$IBJS university-wide universities. In addition, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family this spring, as a research associate for Brandeis University’s Cohen ,FZOPUF"EESFTT $PNNFSDJBM"UUBDI¹  DPOUSPMMFECVTJOFTTFT economic challenges, focusing on theGlovsky diminishing and Popeo, supply P. C. of oilCabinet Levelcollaborative Insight work to which the4QFBLJOH center Erranis committed. Carmel Kogod School of Foundation, in association with the American-Israeli Cooperative Center for Modern Jewish Studies, to convene student focus groups &NCBTTZPG*TSBFM $IBJS and natural gas. Keynote speaker and ,FZOPUFKnesset"EESFTT member Avishaiinto Israel’s BusinessBusiness professorsPOUIF JNQBDUErranPG CarmelUSBEFPO and Richard Linowes cochairedRichard the Linowes Enterprise, has been funding visiting professors from Israel at univer- for a study of young adults and their volunteer commitments. Hillary Corporate Social Sector *TSBFMTFDPOPNJDTVDDFTT 12:45-2:15 p.m. Braverman delivered a passionate and candid presentation on Israel’s conference, along with center director RussellLuncheon Stone. The commitment sities across the country. From 8 visitors three years ago, they sup- Blank (CAS ’08) is in the Jewish Theological Seminary’s cantorial Responsibility and Binyamin (Fouad) $IBJS 3:45–5:00 p.m. economic life. He remarked that the discussions at AU’s business and enthusiasm of Carmel and Linowes,"NFSJDBO faculty6OJWFSTJUZ advisors to the center, ported more than 20 visitors each of the past two years. AU is proud program in . Aimee Weiss (CAS ’08) has become the Ethical Leadership for Ben-Eliezer, .JOJTUFSPG Howard Wachtel, .BSZ(SBEPO$FOUFS  Social Responsibility, conference rivaled debates onToday’s the economy. Business World /BUJPOBM*OGSBTUSVDUVSFwere critical to"6 the1SPGFTTPS event’s&NFSJUVT success.PG Supporters and friends of AU,Ethics, and Green to have pioneered this remarkable expansion by hosting a series of Midwest director of USD/Hagshama and the Israel Program Center 'BDVMUZ%JOJOH3PPN A highlight of the conference wasRaya a reception Strauss Bendror, hosted by the including the American-Israeli&DPOPNJDTBOEGPVOEJOH Cooperative Enterprise, Bethesda CourtBusiness visiting professors. We are equally proud of establishing, in 2006, the based in Chicago. Jewish studies minors: Renee Howard (SPA ’02), 1SFTJEFOU 4USBVTT*OWFTUNFOU 9:30–10:45 a.m. %JSFDUPSPGUIF$FOUFSGPS *OUSPEVDUJPO "OFYQMPSBUJPOPGSFDFOUUSFOET JOJNQSPWJOHUIFTPDJBMCFOFmUPG Capital Israel Business Network and the$PNQBOZ law DPGPVOEFSfirm Mintz, Levin,The Israeli Hotels,Economy the law *TSBFMfirm 4UVEJFTof Mintz Levin, and theNeil Jewish Kerwin, Federation 1SFTJEFOU  of Greater first undergraduate minor in Israel studies offered in the United is program manager and Young Leadership Outreach coordinator at "NFSJDBO6OJWFSTJUZ CVTJOFTTBOEBQQMZJOH+FXJTIFUIJDT Cohn, Ferris,PG Glovsky,CJMMJPOEPMMBS andGPPE Popeo, P.C.and Financial Washington, Markets provided support for this event. ■ UPCVTJOFTT  States. To ensure success of the minor and to maintain our leading B’nai B’rith International. After a stint as communications associate at DPOHMPNFSBUF4USBVTT&MJUF "OPWFSWJFXPGUIFFWPMVUJPOPGUIF 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. 7 1 At the reception, Raya Strauss Bendror,*TSBFMJFDPOPNZ SFDFOUDIBOHFTJO ,FZOPUF"EESFTT t Momo Mahadav, national role in the field of Israel studies, the center is committed to the Hillel International Center, Aviva Perlman (CAS ’06) is now study- (SPVQBOEMFBEFSJO*TSBFMJ Technology, Innovation .BBMB‰5IF*TSBFMJ cofounder of the billion-dollar food UIFTUPDLBOECPOE1. NBSLFUTConference cochairs Erran Carmel andIsrael’s Richard Economy Linowes at 60delivering completing our endowment to fund a permanent chair in Israel ing Jewish education at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Avital DPSQPSBUFTPDJBMSFTQPOTJCJMJUZ GPTUFSJOHDPSQPSBUFHSPXUIBOE and Start-ups "TTPDJBUJPOGPS4PDJBM conglomerate Strauss-Elite Group, NFSHFST BOEPWFSBMMopeningQSPTQFDUT remarks;GPS "OPWFSWJFX 2. "IsraelBiz@60"PGUIFEZOBNJDIJHI participants;Avishay Braverman, 3, Binyamin (Fouad)3FTQPOTJCJMJUZ 1SFTFOUJOH studies. We call on our supporters to help us meet this crucial goal. Ingber (KCB ’03) is the director of Young Leadership at the Jewish HSPXUIJOUIFGVUVSF UFDITFDUPSTPG*TSBFMUIBUJOUSPEVDF .FNCFSPG,OFTTFU QBTU DIBOHFTJO*TSBFMJMBOETDBQFPG spoke about the challenges of her Ben Eliezer, IsraeliJNQPSUBOU ministerJOOPWBUJPOT ofJO nationalLFZ infrastructure,QSFTJEFOUPG#FO giving(VSJPO his keynote t Avishay Braverman, industries DPSQPSBUFTPDJBMBDUJWJTN Our university-based center has an extensive outreach program. Federation of Greater Washington and works there on the Moscow address; 4. Technology, Innovation, and Start-Ups6OJWFSTJUZBOE Panel,GPSNFS leftTFOJPS to right: $&0 family business and her commitment .FNCFSPG,OFTTFU QBTU t Noam Gressel, While our major events are reported in this newsletter, we participate Connection Project with Jewish studies major Alexis Bock (CAS ’00). Orey Gilliam, Amirt Guy Orad, Levy-Yurista, Guy Levy-Yurista,FDPOPNJTU and Erran8PSME Carmel#BOL to corporate social responsibility. QSFTJEFOUPG#FO(VSJPO %JSFDUPS "0- BOEGPSNFS 'PVOEFS "TTJG4USBUFHJFT in many other Israel-related programs, from audience discussions at David Moak (CAS ’08), who, while at AU, was the General Education 6OJWFSTJUZBOEGPSNFS EJSFDUPS5BNJS'JTINBO $POUSBTUJOHiHSFFOXBTI w TFOJPS FDPOPNJTU 8PSME 7FOUVSFT1SFTFOUJOHJOTJHIU 2:30–3:30 p.m. DPSQPSBUFTVTUBJOBCJMJUZBOE Theater J and at international film festivals, to talks with synagogue faculty assistant for our course Ancient and Medieval Jewish #BOL1SPWJEJOHBOJOTJEFST DMFBOUFDIEFWFMPQNFOU 1 JOUP*TSBFMJiCSBJOESBJOwBOE Israeli Family-owned  and community groups, to sponsoring visiting artists and Israel- Civilization, won one of the American Jewish Committee’s Goldman WJFXPG*TSBFMTFDPOPNJDMJGF David Weitzner, iCSBJODJSDVMBUJPOw Mega-Enterprises t  Gil Mehrez,*OUFSOBUJPOBM &71  "61SPGFTTPSPG related movies in programs open to the community. Last year alone, Fellowships. He spent the summer in Warsaw working with the t 1SFTFOUJOH t Amir Orad, "QPSUSBJUPGLFZGBNJMZDPOUSPMMFE 4QFBLJOH .POFUBSZ'VOE "DUJNJ[F GPSNFS71PG CVTJOFTTFTBOEIPXUIFZFYQBOE  #VTJOFTT&UIJDT our visiting professor, Naomi Gale, brought her expertise on Jewish Forum for Dialogue among the Nations in Poland. Ashley Arditi (CAS BOBTTFTTNFOUPG*TSBFMT 34"4FDVSJUZ BOEDP HSPPNUBMFOUBOEXFBUIFSDPOnJDUT POUIFFUIJDTPG*TSBFMJ CVTJOFTTUISPVHIB+FXJTIMFOT refugee issues to more than 30 audiences in the D.C. area. We happily ’08) has joined the staff of Hadassah’s Washington Action Office. FDPOPNJDHSPXUI GPVOEFSPG$ZPUB*OD Registert Raya at:Strauss Bendror, 1SFTJEFOU 4USBVTT lead in showing how a dynamic Center for Israel Studies can enhance Israel studies minor: Micah Winograd (’07), among the first AU %FMJWFSJOHBOJOTJEFSWJFXPG www.american.edu/israelstudies/ 'PSDPOGFSFODFTQPOTPSTIJQ XIBUNBLFT*TSBFMJTUBSUVQT businessconf/register.cfm*OWFTUNFOU$PNQBOZ  knowledge of Israel’s accomplishments and place in the world. With students to complete this minor, is the Israel education initiatives PQQPSUVOJUJFT QIPOFSFHJTUSBUJPO  EJGGFSFOU continued support, we will maintain our service to our students and to associate at the Israel on Campus Coalition. PSNPSFJOGPSNBUJPO DPOUBDU the D.C. community and will set an example for the country. As always, I look forward to hearing from all our alumni. Please "EJOB,BOFmFME %FQVUZ%JSFDUPS www.american.edu/israelstudies/businessconf/register.cfm For more information about the Center for Israel Studies, contact write me at [email protected]. ■ $FOUFSGPS*TSBFM4UVEJFT 5P SFHJTUFSHPUP 2 3 4 the director at [email protected]. ■ ( 8BEJOBLBOFmFME!BNFSJDBOFEV —Russell Stone, Professor of Sociology —Pam Nadell, Inaugural Patrick Clendenon Professor of History

lectures and programs Sponsored by the Center for Israel Studies and the Jewish Studies Program PERI continued from p. 1 Studies to teach four courses at AU on Israeli politics, media, history, Guest Lectures and Artists ■ “The Forgotten Jewish Refugees from ■ “From Sanctuary to Study Hall: The ■ "Power, Faith, and Fantasy: America in the The Jewish Studies Program cosponsored and society. Arab Lands,” Naomi Gale, Schusterman Emergence of Rabbinic Literature and the Middle East, 1776 to the Present," Michael the following papers at the Department of The visiting professor program began This year our campus hosted the following Visiting Professor of Israel Studies Destruction of the Temple,” Erica Brown, Oren, senior fellow," Shalem Center History’s inaugural Patrick Clendenen with funding from the Charles and Lynn scholars and guest artists. scholar in residence Conference, " ’With Vision Flying’: New Schusterman Family Foundation and contin- ■ “The Forgotten Refugees: ■ "Tehilim," pre-screening discussion for the ■ “The Book of Esther in the Sixteenth Perspectives on Women’s and Gender A Film and Discussion,” ■ “Germany and Holocaust Memory,” French Embassy’s “C’est Chic Film Festival,” ued with the support of the Howard and Century: A Story of Jewish Power and History.” Naomi Gale, Schusterman Michael Brenner, chair, Jewish History and Aviva Kempner, independent filmmaker Geraldine Polinger Foundation. Peri is the Fantasy,” Erica Brown, scholar in residence, Culture at the University of Munich, and Ina ■ “Re-Defining Self in Suburbia: Women third visiting professor from Israel hosted Visiting Professor of Israel ■ “That’s Why I’m Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Levine Invitational Scholar, Center for by the center. Most recently, Naomi Gale Studies (Still) Here,” Robbie and Postwar Jewish Identity,” Aleisa ■ “ ‘Brutal convert-hunting nimrods’ or use- Advanced Holocaust Studies Fishman, Center for Advanced Holocaust served as visiting professor, sharing her ■ “From Eden to Exile: Gringras in concert ful allies?: Transnational Jewish Responses to Studies expertise, forging friendships, and creating Unraveling the Mysteries of ■ “Making Jews at Home: Zionism in Evangelicals in the Nineteenth Century,” ■ “Writing of Hope coalitions and dialogs throughout the Naomi Gale Czechoslovakia between the World Wars,” ■ the Bible,” Eric Cline, chair, in Times of Despair: “Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg: Narrating campus. ■ Adam Mendelsohn, Brandeis University Tatjana Lichtenstein, University of Toronto Department of Classical and Jerusalem in Women’s History through Documentary ■ “Displaced Persons: Holocaust Survivors Film,” Aviva Kempner, director, The Life and Semitic Languages and Literatures, George ■ "Pangs of the Messiah: A Post-Play Woman’s Eyes,” Robbie Gringras and on the Crossroads,” Hagit Lavsky, Samuel L. Washington University Discussion," Naomi Gale, Schusterman Michal Govrin, Times of Hank Greenberg and Perry Haber Chair in Post-Holocaust Adam Mader ■ “From Ruth to the Foreign Workers of Visiting Professor of Israel Studies with Israeli author, poet, Studies, Institute of Contemporary Jewry, Israel,” Athalya Brenner, professor of Hebrew Russell Stone, director of the Center for and theatre director Hebrew University, and fellow, Center for Bible, University of Amsterdam Israel Studies Advanced Holocaust Studies 2 3 News from the Faculty

Advancing Holocaust Studies Philip Brenner, School of International Service, by the Organization of American Historians. Scholar/Teacher of the Year for 2007–08, gave two television interviews about U.S. He coedited From Arrival to Incorporation: addressed the faculty at the annual Ann American University’s distinguished historian Richard Breitman, to meet Hitler and key subordinates shortly after they came to policy in the Middle East, focusing on Israel. Migrants to the U.S. in a Global Era. Ferren Teaching Conference. As the inaugu- author of, among other works, The Architect of Genocide: Himmler power. Sensing Nazi intentions to remove or destroy German Jews , ral Patrick Clendenen Professor of History, and the Final Solution, has just published the first of the three vol- he soon became League of Nations high commissioner for refugees. Erran Carmel, Kogod School of Business, Alan Levine, School of Public Affairs, contin- she chaired the AU conference “ ‘With umes of the diaries of James G. McDonald, League of Nations high He sought to resettle German Jews and others persecuted in Nazi cochaired the conference “IsraelBiz@60” ues as a board member of AU Hillel and a Vision Flying’: New Perspectives on commissioner for refugees and first U.S. ambassador to the State of Germany, cajoling various governments, religious organizations, and and presented on its panel “Technology, consultant for the U.S. State Department. He Women’s and Gender History.” Israel. private philanthropists to help. In late 1935 he resigned to protest the Innovation, and Start-Ups.” is currently researching the idea of America McDonald’s private diaries offer a hitherto unknown source on lack of support for his work. His diary demonstrates obstacles to in European political thought, 1492–9/11. Naima Prevots, professor emerita, Kenneth L. Cohen, rabbi and Hillel director, the Nazi regime’s early history and the Roosevelt administration’s humanitarian action, including anti-Semitism, Department of Performing Arts (CAS), has reports that AU Hillel was accredited by Richard Linowes, Kogod School of reactions to Nazi persecution of German Jews. and offers new details about the activities of been working with Nurit Ron, of Israel’s Hillel International. Business, cochaired the conference The original diaries were donated to the U.S. politicians and Jewish elites in many Ministry of Education, to develop the con- “IsraelBiz@60.” Holocaust Memorial Museum by Barbara Western countries. Max Paul Friedman, Department of History cept of dance literacy for evaluating dance McDonald Stewart, one of McDonald’s daughters. The second volume, soon to appear, will (CAS), published “Misperceptions of Empire: Eric Lohr, Department of History (CAS), in grades K–12. Prof. Richard Breitman is the lead editor for cover the period from 1935 to the end of How Berlin and Washington Misread the presented “Russian Imperial Emigration Myra Sklarew, professor emerita, volumes one and two of this publication project World War II. It will offer new details about ‘Ordinary Germans’ of Latin America in and Population Policy toward Jews” at the Department of Literature (CAS), has worked sponsored by the Center for Advanced Franklin D. Roosevelt’s attitudes toward World War II,” in Decentering America. He conference “Points of Passage: Jewish on the forthcoming performance of a musi- Holocaust Studies. He is working with Barbara refugees from Nazi Germany. A third was interviewed on U.S. foreign policy Transmigrants,” in Hamburg. His study of cal setting for “Instructions for Elijah” at McDonald Stewart and the museum’s former volume will cover McDonald’s service as and the Middle East for the Spanish BBC, Tsarist policy towards Jewish emigration, Richard Breitman Northern Michigan University. Her poem staff historian Severin Hochberg. the first U.S. ambassador to Israel Deutschlandradio, and Gulan Political Weekly “Population Policy and Emigration Policy in Lithuania will be included in The Posen The first volume, Advocate for the Doomed (1948–1951). ■ (Kurdish newsmagazine). Imperial Russia,” will appear in Going Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, a (Indiana University Press, 2007), covers the years 1932–1935. Home. Gershon Greenberg, Department of ten-volume anthology to be published by Considered for the post of American ambassador to Germany at the Philosophy and Religion (CAS), was a finalist Gail Humphries Mardirosian, Department Yale University Press. Recent publications start of the Roosevelt administration, McDonald traveled to Germany for a National Jewish Book Award for his of Performing Arts (CAS), is a Fulbright include “What is a Jewish Poem?” “From book Wrestling with God: Jewish Theological Scholar at the Academy of Performing Arts the Backyard of the Diaspora,” “Spinoza,” Responses during and after the Holocaust. in Prague, where she will direct dramas and “Holocaust,” and “Poetry” in Shirim. This past year he was a visiting professor at cabarets originally performed at the Jeffrey K. Sosland, Washington Semester Hebrew University. Theresienstadt concentration camp. Program and the Kogod School of Business, Alan M. Kraut, Department of History Pamela S. Nadell, Department of History published in paperback Cooperating Rivals: (CAS), was named Distinguished Lecturer and Jewish Studies Program (CAS), as AU The Riparian Politics of the Jordan River Welcome Home Basin. He presented a paper at the annual Two faculty members of the Jewish Studies Program and the Center From February to meeting of the Association for Israel for Israel Studies spent the spring semester 2008 abroad. They June, I was a Visiting Calvin Goldscheider Returns New Faculty Studies. share their experiences with our YediAUt readers. Fellow at the Oxford Russell A. Stone, Department of Sociology Centre for Hebrew and Prof. Calvin Goldscheider was Polinger Boaz Atzili, who will teach Arab-Israeli (CAS), completed his second year as director This past spring I was the visiting poet at Bar-Ilan’s Shaindy Jewish Studies. While Scholar in Residence at the Center for Israel Relations, joins AU’s School of International of the AU Center for Israel Studies and 10 Rudoff Creative Writing Program in Ramat Gan, Israel. This two-year there, I conducted Studies (CIS) and in the Jewish Studies Service as assistant professor. He has a PhD years’ service as administrative officer of the English-language MA program draws a wide array of international research in the ex- Program this past year, advising the center, in political science from the Massachusetts Association for Israel Studies. He was visiting and Israeli poets and writers who are interested in exploring Jewish tensive early Yiddish mentoring students, and teaching Compara- Institute of Technology, earned a BA in inter- faculty at the Summer Institute for Israel material or Israeli themes. My students were tremendously talented manuscript and book tive Ethnicity: Israel, Europe, and Third national relations from the Hebrew Studies, Schusterman Center, Brandeis writers and insightful readers of one another’s work. We finished the holdings of Oxford’s World Countries. “Calvin brings warmth to University, and was most recently a post- University. He is advising editor of the Israeli semester with a final class in Hadassah Bodleian Library as his classroom while doctoral fellow at Harvard University’s Michael Wenthe (right) at Oxford studies series published by the State Hospital, so that a classmate, a mother part of my project on demanding the highest Kennedy School of Government. His disser- University of New York Press. of six who had, during the semester, Arthurian literature by quality work from his tation, “Border Fixity: When Good Fences suffered heart failure and had received Jews in the medieval students. His ability to Make Bad Neighbors,” won the Kenneth N. Howard Wachtel, professor emeritus, an artificial heart, could be with us. and early modern periods. I also presented some early findings in a bring to life comparative Waltz Prize for the best 2007 dissertation in Department of Economics (CAS), is a While there, a Mellon grant from the lecture followed by discussion as a speaker in the David Patterson issues in Israel is out- international security. member of the Board of Directors for the College of Arts and Sciences allowed me Seminars, a series of talks on all aspects of Jewish studies with standing,” said Russell Yael Warshel joins AU as assistant Association for Israel Studies and chairs to begin developing a course I hope to guest lecturers from universities throughout the Americas, Europe, Stone, CIS director. professor in international communication in their Task Force on Endowed Chairs and teach next year called A Literary Mapping and Israel. ■ Among his many publi- the School of International Service. She holds Centers for Israel Studies. He is also a of Israel. So far I have created eight maps —Michael Wenthe, Assistant Calvin cations is Immigration, a PhD from the University of California–San member of the Advisory Board of the Israel Goldscheider of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv based on the Professor of Literature Gender, and Family Diego and will be teaching peace communi- Scholar Development Fund, American- narratives of novels, memoirs, graphic Transitions to Adulthood cation and cross-cultural communication. Israeli Cooperative Enterprise. ■ Marcela Sulak and novels, murder mysteries, and poetry by in Sweden. This year, Goldscheider will Her research has focused on children’s per- Amalia Israeli writers. These literary maps are For more information again serve as scholar in residence at CIS. ■ ceptions of peace messages in the Israeli and currently being videotaped for my class to Palestinian versions of Sesame Street. ■ Jewish Studies Program Center for Israel Studies create graphic records of the disparate populations of Israel’s two www.american.edu/cas/js/ www.american.edu/israelstudies most populous cities. ■ phone: 202-885-2423 phone: 202-885-3780 — Marcela Sulak, Assistant fax: 202-885-1083 fax: 202-885-1318 Professor of Literature

4 5 Contemporary Israeli Art Exhibition at AU Museum more news from jewish studies The highlight of the Center for Israel Studies programming in 2008, celebrating its 10th anniversary and Israel’s 60th, was a major contem- porary Israeli art exhibition initiated in collaboration with the Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation and the American University Museum. Personal Landscapes: Contemporary Art from Israel showcased 15 emerging Israeli artists and more than 50 works. The goal, as In spring 2009, Strauss will present with all center Let’s Talk About It: Jewish   “Demons, Golems, and Dybbuks: Monsters of   projects, was to explore and celebrate the creative and intellectual achievements of Israel. With this exhibition, the center brought to Literature— Identity and %*!*/% $ !%*!&% the Jewish Imagination,” a series of readings           Washington an aspect of Israel not often shared with the campus or the broader community. Imagination that include Isaac Bashevis Singer’s Satan in Plans for the exhibition expanded in scope as Jack Rasmussen, director and curator of the AU Museum, toured Israel’s art scene with This fall AU’s Jewish Studies Program, in Goray, S. Ansky’s Dybbuk, Franz Kafka’s Russell Stone and Dalia Levin, the director of the Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art in Israel. Enamored of the art he discovered, conjunction with the Jewish cultural organi- Metamorphosis, Cynthia Ozick’s Puttermesser TRasmussen wanted the exhibition to show Israel through the eyes of  zation Nextbook, the American Library Papers, and Tony Kushner’s Angels in America. )%' (%()'$#$)$ %#%# $ .&+) &%&&"&&)) ...... September 8, 2008 contemporary artists. As the Washington Post noted, the “curators set &)*!%(%)#*!&%.+ %c#$ ...... September 22  %*+(!%*  (%.%.'" ' .....October 6 Association (ALA), and the AU library, From the shtetls of Eastern Europe to the *()"!## ##).""' %%#$ ...... October 20 out to represent modern Israel the way its artists would. And that has its +*& /'*.$'0 #$ ...... November 3 cosponsored a free five-part reading and Gotham of New York, these tales are not so rewards.” The art represented a variety of media—from sculpture to Monday evenings, 7:00–9:00 pm, 3rd Floor Classroom (306), discussion series in Jewish literature. Thanks much horror stories as responses to the American University Library video—and included images ranging from bats and monster trucks to Dr. Lauren Strauss, AU Library’s Project Scholar, will lead the discussions to the lead of Diana Vogelsong, associate horrors of the real world. Space is limited. Seating is limited and registration is required. Registration begins in July 2008. orange groves and olive trees. It displayed the creativity and complexity RSVP to AU Library 202-885-3237 or [email protected] university librarian, AU successfully competed To register, contact the AU library at For more information visit: http://www.library.american.edu/letstalk of contemporary Israeli society. Artist lectures, gallery talks, private for the renewal of our 2007 grant from 202-885-3237. For more information, visit tours, and a special Kids @ the Katzen program provided added oppor- Nextbook and the ALA to host this series led http://www.library.american.edu/letstalk/. ■ tunities to learn about and explore the Israeli artwork. by Dr. Lauren B. Strauss. More than 3,500 people viewed the exhibition, including Israeli

ambassador Sallai Meridor and his wife, No’a, as well as many local artists and art critics. ■

more news from the center for israel studies Israeli art exhibit, AU Museum

Student Scholarship Attracts Gurion University, and Hebrew University. interested in international studies and Israelis to AU They also visited Al Quds University in Abu thought it would be an interesting job. She Dis to discuss educational initiatives related was right. Her work at the center opened a According to AU’s Evelyn Levinson, director to Palestinians. President Kerwin described new area of the world to her. It motivated her of International Student Admissions, AU has the program as a “first-rate” experience and to enroll in Calvin Goldscheider’s Israeli drawn students from around the world, exposure to Israel. He commented on “the Society course, where she wrote a research including many from the Middle East, but deep commitment of Israelis” and “the paper on the religious and civil court sys- undergraduate students intensity of life in Israel” that he witnessed tems in Israel. She now advises her friends from Israel have not firsthand. Kerwin also noted the impor- on Israel-related topics and courses. attended AU in recent tance of AU’s study abroad program in Quaile has been critical to the smooth years. When Levinson Israel and its continued affiliation with operations of the center, offering her insight, told the Center for Israel Israeli universities. ■ critical eye, and student perspective to center Studies that AU wanted programs. Leah will graduate early from AU Russell Stone, Jack Rasmussen, more Israeli under- with a degree in international studies and and Anita Reiner, left to right graduates to increase plans to attend law school. She has made our student body’s her mark on the center and will be sorely Einar Bar Shira diversity, the center missed by all. ■ reached out to Howard Tal Shochat, Untitled, 2005. Courtesy of Rosenfeld Rosenbloom, who generously established Hadassah Lieberman and curator Jack Gallery. the Ben and Esther Rosenbloom Foundation Sklarew Establishes Award Rasmussen Scholarship to attract Israeli students to AU. for Writing on Israel Einar Bar Shira is the first recipient of the Professor of literature emerita Myra Sklarew scholarship. As part of her campus experi- AU president Neil Kerwin, right, in Israel. continues her strong connection to the ence, she is volunteering at the Center for Center for Israel Studies and the Jewish Israel Studies. ■ Leah Quaile Leaving the Center Studies Program as an advisor and support- er in many ways. In recognition of her deep AU President Visits Israel Leah Quaile hadn’t planned to apply for a commitment to Israel and her love of writing, Israeli artist Roi Kuper discussing his work-study position at the Center for Israel Sklarew established an annual student award artwork with museum visitors AU president Neil Kerwin was part of an elite Studies, but her last- at the center for the best paper or poem group of university presidents on a trip to minute change of mind related to Israel. The award is in memory of Israel sponsored by Project Interchange of proved fortunate for both her uncle and aunt Benjamin and Eva Wolpe the American Jewish Committee. The trip the center and for her. Reinkel and in honor of her uncle Harry provided an opportunity for university presi- In her third year at the Rinkel. Students should e-mail their entries to dents and chancellors to examine academic, Israeli artist Shai Azoulay, center, with Adina center, Quaile readily [email protected] by December geopolitical, and societal issues facing Israel Kanefield and Russell Stone admits that she did not 15, 2008. The winner will receive $150. ■ Diane Brown, Kate Rothko, Ambassador Sallai Meridor, and to explore potential educational and know much about Israel No’a Meridor, and Stuart Brown, left to right Photos by Anne Doyle research partnerships. The group met with when she applied for the representatives from , Ben Leah Quaile position, but she was 6 7 American University 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20016-8012

The Center for Israel Studies and the Jewish Studies Program We thank these contributors thank the following donors for their generous contributions.* to the Seymour and Lillian Abensohn Endowment Fund:* Lillian Klein Abensohn Andrea Becker Herman Marvin and Ilene Solomon Gary and Pennie Abramson Kenneth and Mimi Heyman Jeremy and Merril Stock Lillian Klein Abensohn Nancy L. Alper Avital Ingber Herman and Susan Taube Gary and Pennie Abramson Charles and Ruth Bartfeld Patricia P. Karp Harvey and Jill Tekel Dottie Bennett Raya Strauss Bendror Julia Lazarev Kogut Norman Turkish Joe, Shelley, and Ariella Brodecki Lee Berger Lori Lyons Kramer Rachel Victor Kenneth S. Brown Dava Berkman Michel LeGoc Sheldon and Mindy Weisel Gerald and Deborah Charnoff Mitchell P. Berliner and Janis Wexler Lehrer Carey Weiss and Karen Pierce The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Foundation Debra Moser Fred Levin Harold and Judy Wittman Richard and Lois England Gary and Carol Berman Richard and Elisa Linowes Paul Wolff and Rhea Schwartz Michael and Susie Gelmen Philip and Joan Birnbaum David Manchester Herbert and Ruby Halperin David and Pat Alper Cohen Daniel Mann American-Israeli Cooperative David Jones Susan Cohen Naomi McNally Enterprise Jack and Barbara Kay Jessica DeNino Sander and Irene Mendelson Dollye and Wolford Berman Hon. Warren R. King and Joyce H. Deroy Stewart and Myra Deutsch Jack and Annette Moshman Foundation Robert and Arlene Kogod Lisa SchulmanThank Dick Pamela Nadell and Edward Farber Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Dr. and Mrs. Louis Lazarou Marc and Nancy Duber Avner Parnes Foundation Richard and Elisa Linowes Richard and Lois England Bruce Pascal Embassy of Israel Alan and Amy Meltzer Jack and Trudy Exelbert Jeffrey Passel Samuel and Grace Gorlitz Irene and Abe Pollin J. Casey Faiman Geraldine Polinger Foundation Brian J. Ratner J. Rolyn Franzen and Rabbi Mindy A. Portnoy Jewish Federation of Greater Deborah Ratner Salzberg and Sandra M. Kloner Burton and Anita Reiner Washington Michael D. Salzberg Mark S. Freedman Sharon Rennert Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Glovsky, Herman and Mary Schwartz Judith Friedman JerilynYou! Rogin and Popeo, P.C Joseph and Selma Sitrick Misha Galperin Bernard Rosen Howard and Geraldine Polinger Gerald and Deana Stempler Jane and Jerrold Goodman Howard Rosenbloom Family Foundation Louis and Nancy Goodman Charles and Joanne Rosendorf Ben and Esther Rosenbloom Alan and Debbie Grant Irving and Suzanne Rosenthal Foundation, Inc. *As of September 1, 2008. We make every effort to Ada Green Ralph and Bette Rothstein S-F Foundation present an accurate donor list. If there are mistakes, Adam and Amy Greenberg Stuart and Janet Rutchik Charles and Lynn Schusterman please let us know and accept our apologies for Lynn, Steven, and Evan Greenfield Alan Sahm and Dora S. Mallinoff Family Foundation any errors. Jack Hahn Kimi Schulman United Jewish Endowment Jordan Harburger Mark Silverman Fund Rabbi Greg Harris Myra Sklarew Abramson Dinner Reception On September 3, 2008, Gary and Pennie Abramson, with Lillian Klein Abensohn, graciously hosted a dinner reception in recognition of the Center for Israel Studies and the Seymour and Lillian Abensohn Endowment to enhance our efforts toward completing the endowment for a chair in Israel studies at American University. The event was enthusiastically attended by special guests AU president Neil Kerwin and the center’s Dollye and I. Wolford Berman Visiting Professor, Yoram Peri, who lectured on Israeli politics. For information about Lillian Klein Abensohn Gary Abramson with AU president Neil Kerwin addressing joining the effort to complete the endowment, with Visiting Professor Israeli student Einar Bar reception guests contact Adina Kanefield at 202-885-3780. ■ Yoram Peri Shira

Center for Israel Studies The mission of the center is to examine and interpret modern Israel’s intellectual and creative contributions and achievements in the sciences, social sciences, humanities, and arts. Located in Washington, D.C., at American University, a major institution of higher learning, the center is uniquely positioned to be a national and international hub for the dissemination of information about Israel and the discussion of Israeli developments, issues, and concerns. The center’s challenge is to connect Israel to the next generation of leaders who are matriculating today in America’s universities and colleges. For further information, call 202-885-3780, e-mail [email protected] or [email protected], or visit our Web site at www.american.edu/israelstudies.

Jewish Studies Program American University’s commitment to the Jewish Studies Program dates back to the early 1970s. Since then, AU’s Jewish Studies Program has included a major and a minor and offered courses across the curriculum, including in our General Education Program, for all AU students. The program takes great pride in being the first in the nation to offer a minor in Israel studies. For further information, call 202-885-2425 or e-mail the director at pnadell @american.edu

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