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WESTERN COLLEGE NEWSLETTER April 2011 No. 18 Our New Director FROM THE EDITORS’ DESK Mr. Rani Falk is the experience as our new CEO, who will take Congratulations to our new CEO Mr. Rani newly appointed charge of the growing momentum of the Falk who assumed his position at the end of CEO of the Western College’s activities within the community, January, and farewell and best success to Galilee College. of our expanded range of new majors, our outgoing CEO, Mr. Yehuda Brock. Born in Afula, and of the building of our new School of , in 1953, Management. Rani graduated from Yad Natan Engineering School in Western Galilee College is strongly committed 1972, which at that time was located only to strengthening the already firm bond of a few meters away from Western Galilee cooperation with the surrounding population, College. Rani completed his B.A. degree at to intensifying scholarly and social activities Auburn University Montgomery, Alabama, with the different sectors of the community in USA and his Masters degree in Public Policy northern Israel, and to attracting committed and Administration at the University of . and dedicated students from the center of Rani served as a fighter pilot in the Israeli the country through expanding our range of Air Force for 33 years and retired 6 years unique and attractive courses and majors. Mr. Yehuda Brock and Mr. Rani Falk ago as a Brigadier General, after serving As the newsletter goes to print, there is still as the Israeli Air Force Attaché at the Israeli We look forward to continuing the College’s no positive news regarding Gilad Shalit, now Embassy in Washington, DC. Following his tradition of academic excellence, combined over 1750 days in captivity in Gaza. military service, Rani served as Director with a resolute commitment to our students We share the Shalit’s family’s despair and General of the Ministry of Public Security and to the region, under the direction and frustration and anxiously await his speedy for three-and-a-half years. management of Prof. Fishman, release. College President, and the new CEO, We are privileged to welcome a man of such Mr. Rani Falk. vast strategic, administrative and managerial

David Coren

Hundreds of people paid respect to former of his favorite songs was held in his honor th Knesset Member David Coren, who at the College on March 13 . WGC students during the 5-minute passed away on January 13th at the age national demonstration calling for Gilad’s freedom of 93. David’s vision and mission was the With best wishes for a happy Passover and development of the Western Galilee and he Easter, spent a lifetime fulfilling this dream. David held many prominent positions during the Linda Futterman and Chava Kochavi, Newsletter Editors course of his long public career, and was [email protected] one of the founders of Western Galilee (Regional) College, serving as its chairman (l to r): Asher Coren and Tamar Shani (2 of David Coren’s You are invited to view our website: from 1985-2003. A commemorative evening children), Prof. Gideon Fishman, Mr. Eival Gilady www.wgalil.ac.il NEW AT THE COLLEGE Department of Theater As expressed by Dr. Vered Vaknin, Head of establishment of the State of Israel and the the Division, “The acquisition of basic learning fight for its security. Prominent on the campus Studies abilities is essential for the individual to succeed of Western Galilee College, the beautiful in education and to take part in day-to-day building is vibrant with activities, and serves Western Galilee College has received approval activities as a citizen in a modern state”. as a locus of academic and diploma studies, from the Council of Higher Education to open events, awards and conferences. a new Department of Theater Studies, offering two study tracks. Dance Theater, the first track, offers academic studies combined with the enhancement of artistic and creative skills, COLLEGE NEWS while Educational-Community Theater, the second track, offers academic studies along Building Strategy with the cultivation of acting and dramatic writing skills, with a focus on directing in schools Ms. Ofra Strauss, Chairperson of the Strauss and the community. The curriculum includes Group’s Management Board, met with the work alongside the professional dance troupe, 60 students in the Cherie Blair Foundation the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, for Women’s Academic Program for Women th as well as working with local artists in the fields on February 24 . Ms. Strauss, recently th of dance and community theater. ranked 16 among leading business women Ms. Yehudit Yakkov, Prof. Gideon Fishman, Mr. Miki Pluznik worldwide, spoke about vision and strategy The new program, headed by Prof. Dan Urian, building, using as an example the Israel- currently Associate Professor in the Theater based Strauss enterprises and their ability Launching the Second Faculty at University, will be launched in to assess potential world markets. Barbara Leventhal- October 2011 at the beginning of the upcoming Stern Art Competition academic year. The aim of the Cherie Blair program, which is supported by the Pratt Foundation, is to The Second Art Competition in memory of encourage and empower Jewish and Arab Management of Barbara Leventhal-Stern was launched on women studying Business Administration February 22nd. Educational Systems and Management. During the semester, WGC students will work The Division, established as a second major on projects addressing the theme of “No within the Department of Education, was to Drugs and Alcohol” within the different founded in recognition of the fact that while artistic mediums they are studying, and will more and more people in the educational create a variety of publicity materials relating system (formal and informal) currently occupy to the topic. managerial roles with different levels of authority and responsibility, their professional The project, which is part of the curriculum education has not included training for this of the “Copywriting and Advertising” course aspect of their work. in WGC’s Graphic Design track, is run in cooperation with the College’s coordinators According to Division Head, Dr. Ari Neuman, Mr. Eival Gilady and Ms. Ofra Strauss of the Israel Anti Drug Authority’s project, “Our goal is to offer graduates of the Division under the supervision of course instructor, for Management in Educational Systems . an opportunity to acquire skills crucial for Commemorating Inge Mr. Borris Zeidman management and leadership, along with L. Mezger broad knowledge in the field of education.” The memorial service for Inga Mezger took Literacy Education place in the Inge L. Mezger Ecology Center on December 9th, and included the reading of poetry and recital of Kaddish. Opened by The Division for Literacy Education aims Prof. Gideon Fishman, WGC President, at providing students with knowledge and the ceremony was concluded by understanding of basic learning skills and the Mr. Miki variables that affect their development. The Pluznik, Head of the European desk of the Division’s program distinguishes between the United Israel Appeal in . acquisition of basic learning skills (such as language, reading, mathematical concepts The Inge L. Mezger Ecology Center was and the use of digital information) on the constructed with a generous donation one hand, and content learning (such as from Mr. Alex Tatar in commemoration of knowledge of history, geography, art and his beloved wife and in expression of the science) on the other. family’s identification with the Zionist idea, the VISITS TO THE COLLEGE Discussing Literacy The USC Shoah Foundation the opening address of the program on February 9th, focusing on the College’s unique Prof. Joseph Shimron, Head of WGC’s Dr. Stephen Smith, Executive Director of B.A. program in Conservation Studies and its Department of Education, and Dr. Vered the University of Southern ’s Shoah importance in preserving Israel’s heritage. Vaknin, Head of the Division for Literacy Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education, hosted guests from Paterson Education, visited WGC on December 15th. Ms. Shelly Ann-Peled, Director of the IAA University, New Jersey, on February 22nd. Mr. Smith met with Dr. Boaz Cohen, Head International Conservation Center in Akko, Visiting WGC were , Dr. Dorothy Feola of the College’s Holocaust Studies Program, noted that “the connection of the Saving the Associate Dean of Paterson’s College of with the aim of exploring avenues for future Stones program with the College is an example Education, and Dr. Rochelle Goldberg cooperation between the Shoah Foundation of the on-going collaboration between IAA Kaplan, Co-Director of the M.Ed. Program and WGC in the field of academic activities of Paterson’s Department of Educational and the College. and practical training”. Leadership and Professional Studies. During the visit, cross-cultural research collaboration According to Dr. Cohen, “This has been a very between the faculty members of Paterson exciting visit. Western Galilee College has University, University of Haifa, and the WGC, been in dialogue with the Shoah Foundation was proposed, focusing on elementary for a number of years, and Dr. Smith’s visit CONFERENCES teacher effectiveness in the areas of reading, provided an additional opportunity to discuss language, arts and mathematics. a collaborative agenda.” Parental Participation in Education

Prof. Rollande Deslendes, a leading researcher from the Université de Québec à Trois-Rivières, and MK Anat Wilfe, Chair of the Knesset Lobby for the Status of the Teacher, were the guest speakers at the conference initiated by Dr. Bruria Schedel of the WGC’S Department of Education. The (l to r): College students: Ms. Tamar Friedman and conference, held on March 2nd, focused on the Mr. Eyal Shkedi; Dr. Boaz Cohen and Dr. Stephen Smith. (l to r): Dr. Vaknin, Prof. Shimron, Dr. Feola, Dr. Goldberg - dilemmas concerning parental involvement in Kaplan, Ms. Mercedes Hadad (Partnership 2000) education at schools and in the preparation Leventhal Visit of homework from the perspectives of pupils, Quite a Match parents and teachers. Todd and Gabrielle Leventhal and their Mr. Michael Hahn, Cultural Attaché of the children visited WGC on December 22nd and US Embassy in Israel, and Ms. Ruth Ish- viewed the photography exhibition devoted Horowicz from the Embassy’s Public Affairs to ‘Accepting the Other’ dedicated to their Office, visited the College on February 17th. cousin, Barbara Leventhal Stern (z”l). The Mr. Hahn expressed his admiration of both family met with Dr. Yehuda Ben Simon, the wide variety of academic programs in WGC’s Dean of Students, and discussed the WGC and the broad array of assistance the work of WGC in promoting community provided to the students. During his meetings involvement in multi-cultural regions. with Prof. Gideon Fishman and Dr. Boaz Cohen, new avenues of cooperation between Dr. Bruria Schedel and Prof. Rollande Deslendes the Office of Cultural Affairs and the College were discussed, including visiting lecturers and support for conferences, as well as a possible Withstanding Terror WGC student delegation to the USA. On January 10th, WGC hosted a conference A match between two highly skilled players titled “Global and Regional Terror in the Era was held between Mr. Michael Hahn and of the Media”. Guest Speaker, Mr. Daniel Mr. Avihai Abadi, Chairman of the Student (Danny) Ayalon, Deputy Foreign Minister Union. and Member of Knesset for Yisrael Beiteinu and former Ambassador to the USA (2002 The Levental Family – 2006), stated that “The aim of terror is to Saving the Stones psychologically intimidate an entire nation, to create a rift between citizens and their Nine students from six countries embarked on governing institutions. A nation’s strength can be measured by its ability to continue an exciting international training program in with its life and not surrender to terror”. The conservation, organized by the International conference was chaired by Dr. Ephraim Conservation Center of the Israel Antiquities Kahana, Head of the Dept. of Political Authority (IAA). Dr. Nadav Kashtan, Head of Science, and Dr. Ronen Itshak, Head of (l to r): Mr. Hahn and Mr. Abadi WGC’s Conservation Department, delivered the Division of Middle Eastern Studies. Department Seminars Political Science, Head: Dr. Ephraim Mr. Kamran Yazdani, Conservation Manager Kahana of the Bahá’í World Center spoke about the and Guest Speakers 4.1.11 Dr. Tamir Libel, Legacy Heritage philosophy and methodology of restoration Fellow at the Dan Shomron Center of Kinneret of Bahá’í holy sites. Criminology, Head: Dr. Hagit Turjeman College, delivered a talk based on a year- 17.1.11 “History that made History - Rudolf long study he conducted on behalf of the Wittkower” was the title of WGC’s Dr. Ron 25.11.10 , spoke on Dr. Brenda Geiger Doctrine and Instruction Department in the Fuchs’ talk focusing on the relationship between “Did we go back to the 50’s? Teachers’ Operations Division of the IDF’s General architecture, history and conservation, based Racial, Ethnic and Cultural Intolerance as Staff, focusing on senior officer development on Wittkower’s insight and unique contribution Experienced in Israeli 6th Grade”. in Western armed forces. to understanding the history of architecture. 3.1.11 Dr. Hagit Turjeman, delivered a talk Dr. Fuch’s Hebrew translation of Wittkower’s on “The effect of legal and extralegal factors Conservation of Sites and Monuments, book, Architectural Principles in the Age of on court decisions”. Head: Dr. Nadav Kashtan Modernism, has recently been published. 13.12.10 Mr. Dor Edelist, doctoral student 2.2.11 Ms. Leider, presented her in the Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies Human Resources, Head: Dr. Avigdor research on the topic “Love and drug addiction of Haifa University, delivered a talk on “Fishing Rimmer as object relations: An integrative three-phase and Fishing Methods - Conservation and 12.12.10 Mr. Moshe Uldak, former Manager model” conducted among men aged 20-40 Development”. of Super Gas, was a guest speaker in Dr. Ety who are romantically involved or separated, 10.1.11 As part of the ongoing collaboration Paz’s course in Managing Human Resources. and men who are using drugs or are in the between the Bahá’í World Center and the Mr. Uldak spoke about Strategic Human withdrawn phase. Dept. of Conservation Studies at WGC, Resource Management.

Publications by WGC Faculty Books visual anonymity, and learning: Comparing face-to- Keshet, Y. (2011). Classification systems in Asia, I. (2011). From a Hebrew State to a face and audio conferencing instruction. In: N. Kock the light of Sociology of Knowledge. Journal of Jewish State: The Shattering of the Zionist Dream. (Ed.), Evolutionary Psychology and Information Documentation, 67(1): 144-158. Tel Aviv, Adom, 206 pp. Systems Research: A New Approach to Studying Ben-Arye, E., Schiff, E., Karkabi, K., Keshet, Y., the Effects of Modern Technologies on Human & Lev, E. (2011). Exploring association of spiritual Cohen, B. (2010). The Next Generations, How will they Know? The Birth and Evolvement Behavior (pp. 193-216). New York, Springer. perspectives with complementary medicine use of Israeli Holocaust Research. , Yad Blau, I., & Hameiri, M. (2010). Implementing among patients with type 2 diabetes in Israel. Ethnicity and Health, 16(1): 1-10. Vashem, 509 pp. (Hebrew). technological change at schools: The impact of Lerner, B.D. (2010). Could I have been Kahana, E. (2011). Ashraf Marwan, Israel’s online communication with families on teacher Most Valuable Spy: How the Mossad Recruited interactions through Learning Management a woman? Philosophical reflections on a Nasser’s Own Son-in-Law. Edwin Mellen Press, System. Interdisciplinary Journal of E-Learning controversial benediction. Philosophy and Ltd., 176 pp. and Learning Objects, 6: 245-257. Literature, 34: 425-434. Gorsky, P., Caspi, A., Antonovsky, A., Blau, Lerner, B.D. (2010). Crying Out about Frogs (Ex Articles I., & Mansur, A. (2010). Hidden structures in 8:8). Vetus Testamentum, 60: 662-663. asynchronous learning communities. The Lerner, B.D. (2011). My Evening with Mr. Wang Akirav, O. (2010). Political participation in local (a dialogue on the use of thought experiments in government: Representatives’ activities. In: A. International Review of Research in Open and philosophy). Think, 10: 83-93. Brichta, E. Vigoda-Gadot, & G. Pade (Eds.), City Distance Learning, 11: 49-72. and State in Israel: Local Government towards Cohen, B. (2010). Israel: After effects of the Shapira, R. (2010). The vanishing of the 7th decade (pp.129-180). Carmel Publishing Holocaust. In: P. Hayes, & J.K. Roth (Eds.), Oxford high-moral, servant leaders and the decay in collaboration with ‘State and Society’ Journal, Handbook of Holocaust Studies (pp. 575-589). of democratic, high-trust cultures in the kibbutz field. In: E. Hertzog, O. Abuhav, H. Jerusalem. (Hebrew). Oxford, Oxford University Press. Goldberg, & E. Marx (Eds.), Perspectives on Cohen, B. (2010). The Jewish DP Experience. In: Benzion, U., Erev, I., Haruvy, E., & Shavit, Israeli Anthropology (pp.133-156). Detroit (MI), J.C. Friedman (Ed.), The Routledge History of the T. (2010). Adaptive behavior leads to under Wayne State University Press. diversification. Journal of Economic Psychology, Holocaust (pp. 414- 424). New York, Routledge. Shapira, R. (2011). Review of Ben-Rafael, & Lev, Y. (2011). Civilians’ coping with 31: 985-995. Eshet, Y., E. & Topel, M. (Eds.), The Kibbutz on Paths Lahav, E., Benzion, U., & Shavit, T. (2011). The war adversities - Social capital and social resilience. Apart (2009). Israeli Sociology, 12(2): 506-510. effect of military service on soldiers’ time preference Social Issues in Israel, 11: 145-158. (Hebrew). (Hebrew). - Evidence from Israel. Judgment and Decision- Geiger, B., & Eshet, Y. (2011). Two worlds of Sharfman, D. (2010). Coexistence in Haifa Making, 6(2): 130-138. assessment of environmental health issues: The during the British Mandate. Horizons in Blau, I., & Barak, A. (2011). Optimization of case of contaminated water wells in Ramat ha- Geography, 76: 131-144. (Hebrew). Sharon. Journal of Risk Research, 14: 125-139. e-learning: The contribution of personality traits. Sperber, H. (2011). Responsa Books as In: D. Hen, & G. Kurtz (Eds.), Integration of Keshet, Y. (2010). Complementary and alternative a source for investigating Agunot (Jewish Informational Technologies into Israeli Education medical information on Israeli medical institutions’ deserted women) in Jewish society. Quntres: Systems (pp.61-84). Tel-Aviv, Ramot. (Hebrew). web sites 2009: The desirable vs. the available. An Online Journal for the History, Culture, and Art Blau, I., & Caspi, A. (2010). Media naturalness, Harefuah, 149(12): 758-762. (Hebrew). of the Jewish Book, 2(1): 47-58. (Hebrew).

P.O.B. 2125, Akko (Acre) 24121, Israel.Tel: 972-4-9015229; Fax: 972-9015320 WESTERN GALILEE COLLEGE email: [email protected] www.wgalil.ac.il