NEWS FROM THE JEWISH STUDIES PROGRAM AND THE CENTER FOR ISRAEL STUDIES FALL 2006

FROM THE DIRECTORS

ith great pride the Center for Israel Studies and the Jewish Studies Program announce the establish- ment of the first (so we believe) minor in Israel studies in the United States. This propels American WUniversity into the forefront of universities pioneering the integration of the study of Israel into campus curricula. Development of the minor was spearheaded by faculty from the Center for Israel Studies and the Jewish Studies Program in close consultation with several colleges and schools on the AU campus, in partic- ular the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of International Service. Students have expressed consid- erable enthusiasm for the new minor and eagerly awaited its approval this past summer. Pamela Nadell, Our success in establishing the minor in Israel studies and the other activities you will read about here Director, Jewish could never have happened without your support. If your name appears in the pages that follow, we thank you Studies Program for your generosity and hope that you will continue to sustain the Center for Israel Studies and the Jewish Studies Program. If you are not a current supporter, we invite you to join us. ■

Minor in Israel Studies Approved Polinger Family Foundation Supports new undergraduate minor—in Israel Scholar in Residence Calvin Goldscheider studies—was approved by American hanks to a generous grant from the A University in summer 2006 and was Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family offered starting in fall 2006 as a joint project of Foundation to the Center for Israel the Center for Israel Studies and the Jewish Studies T Studies, Calvin Goldscheider will this year join Russell Stone, Program. American University as a scholar in residence in Director, Center for As far as we can determine, this is the first the Center for Israel Studies. His responsibilities Israel Studies undergraduate Israel studies minor in the United include a series of public lectures running through- States. Uniquely, its focus is not on the Arab- out the academic year. In spring Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is only a small 2007 he will teach a course on part of the curriculum in Israel studies, but on Israeli society. He will also be Israel in the Middle East: its history; unique politi- available to advise students on cal democracy; economic development; immigrant research. absorption; and international contributions in the Goldscheider has retired arts, business, technology, sciences, and letters. from a distinguished career at September 11, 2001, and the war in Iraq have Brown University, where he is Calvin Goldschieder heightened interest in the Middle East. Israel and professor emeritus of sociology, its historic conflict in the region are featured in Ungerleider Professor Emeritus of Judaic Studies, many AU classes. Israel, however, should be stud- and faculty associate of the Population Studies and ied in a broader context in terms of its historical Training Center. He is an internationally evolution and society. renowned scholar in Jewish studies, Israel studies, Another unique feature of the Israel studies sociology, and demography. He earned his PhD at Inside minor is its seamless connection with study abroad Brown University and was formerly professor of in Israel. AU students studying at Hebrew University sociology and demography at the Hebrew ■ Lectures: p.2 and Ben Gurion University can receive credits University of Jerusalem and chairman of its toward the Israel studies minor. Initial student ■ Faculty Notes: p.4 Department of Demography. Goldscheider has also response has been overwhelmingly supportive of this held faculty appointments at the University of ■ Abensohn minor. We expect many students to avail themselves Endowment: p.6 of this first-in-the-country opportunity. ■ GOLDSCHIEDER continued on p.3 STUDENTS IN ISRAEL

he reintroduction of AU’s study abroad Minister Ariel Sharon was implementing his dis- in Israel after a five-year hiatus was a engagement from the Gaza Strip. The spring T great success. Twelve students studied at semester students arrived shortly after Sharon suf- Hebrew University in spring 2006, five of whom fered a stroke and ended the academic year wit- were full-year students—the largest contingent nessing the dramatic change in Israeli politics with from any university in the United States. Ehud Olmert elected as prime minister. In David Manchester, School of International between were the elections in the Palestinian Service, wrote from Israel: “Having spent six Authority—another political upheaval. There is months to a year in Israel, AU students are return- no better way than living in Israel to obtain a real ing to the U.S. with a stronger personalized con- understanding of Israel and its challenges. Rachel nection that reflects each of our special interests in Seitz, a junior in the School of International the country. Service, said: “Hebrew University has provided me Alongside our with a comprehensive understanding of the politi- classes and cal situation in the region, a desire to pursue my David Manchester, Jeremy Rovinsky, and Micah Winograd, Hebrew lan- studies of the Middle East, and a love for this left to right, at the Roman ruins of Caesarea guage studies, land.” David Manchester summed up the experi- we utilized every ence of his fellow students, when he wrote: “These moment experi- expressions of increased knowledge and passion encing Israeli for Israel are not only heard when speaking to culture, which Rachel, but they are frequently reiterated by other deepened our students returning to the AU campus this fall.” understanding of The success of this first year of the reinstated the country. AU program was the result of persistent lobbying by students could the Center for Israel Studies for the university to be found in the reopen its programs in Israel. In addition to local yeshivas Hebrew University, we have now secured the studying reli- opportunity for AU students to study at Ben Rachel Seitz, right, with Jen gious texts, as Gurion University in the Negev. Many students Varadi at the Dome of the Rock well as in the have already signed up for these programs for the in Jerusalem field witnessing full year or the fall semester, with more planning the events that others were only able to read about to attend in the spring. We look forward to hear- in newspapers.” Those who studied for a year ing about their experiences this coming year. ■ David Manchester and Jeremy Rovinsky celebrating arrived in Jerusalem in the fall of 2005 as Prime Purim

LECTURES

Sponsored by the Center for ■ DAVID MAKOVSKY, director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Israel Studies Project on the Middle East Peace Process and former executive editor of the ■ RAFAEL HARPAZ, >> Jerusalem Post, delivered the inaugural counselor for public affairs Amos Perlmutter Memorial Lecture. This at the Embassy of Israel, lecture, cosponsored by the Center for provided a special briefing Israel Studies, honors Perlmutter, an AU on the Gaza and West bank professor from 1972 until his death in disengagement plans. 2001 and an expert on Israeli foreign poli- Benjamin Pogrund, left, with Howard M. Wachtel, ■ cy and security. PAUL SCHAM, >> retiring director of the Center for Israel Studies from the Middle East ■ BENJAMIN POGRUND, director of Yakar’s Institute and George Center for Social Concern in Jerusalem, years, a journalist and editor of the Rand Washington University, gave a lecture entitled “Is Israel an Daily Mail in Johannesburg (South Africa), spoke about Shared Apartheid State?” Coeditor with Paul was prosecuted for his work, and had his Histories: A Palestinian- Scham and Walid Salem, of a book of passport confiscated for five years. In Israeli Dialogue, a book he Israeli-Palestinian narratives, Pogrund 2005 he received the Award for Justice coedited (cosponsored by the School of speaks from wide experience with and Reconciliation from the U.S. Global International Service). apartheid in South Africa. He was, for 30 Citizens Circle.

2 FROM THE JEWISH STUDIES PROGRAM

enerous sponsors of AU’s Jewish Studies Program provide funds to ABOUT US Gsupport students in a variety of activities related to their academic work in the program. This year the following students received grants to support the research listed Center for Israel Studies below. The mission of the center is to ■ Benjamin Engel, “Displaced Persons’ examine and interpret modern Lives in the U.S.” Israel’s intellectual and creative con- tributions and achievements in the ■ Irene Kaushansky, “Oral Histories of sciences, social sciences, humanities, Soviet Jewish Immigrants” and arts. Located in Washington, ■ David Marmon, “Jewish Organizational D.C., in a major institution of higher Responses to Jews in the Displaced learning, the center is uniquely posi- Persons Camps” tioned to be a national and interna- Pictured from left, AU students Nathaniel Goldstein, ■ Joshua Patinkin, “Chicago Jews and tional hub for the dissemination of Esther Brilliant, David Manchester, Robert Killip, Jen information about Israel and the Varadi, and Arielle Goodman Baseball at the Turn of the Twentieth Century” discussion of Israeli developments, issues, and concerns. The center’s ■ Hillary Rothberg, “American Jewish challenge is to connect Israel to the Artists and Their Politics in the Interwar next generation of leaders who are Years” GOLDSCHIEDER continued from p.1 matriculating today in America’s universities and colleges. Southern California, the University of The program enabled history graduate For further information, California at Berkeley, and Brandeis student Eric Singer to attend the Biennial call 202-885-3780, e-mail University and was a senior Fulbright Scholars’ Conference on American Jewish [email protected] or research scholar and visiting professor at the History in Charleston, South Carolina. [email protected], Center for Women’s Studies at Stockholm Thanks to the program’s endowments, in or visit our Web site at University. Author or editor of 24 books, he the spring all students enrolled in Lauren www.american.edu/israelstudies. includes among his most recent publications Strauss’s class Voices of Modern Jewish Israel’s Changing Society (2002); Cultures and Literature saw The Dybbuk at the District Conflict: The Arab-Israeli Conflict (2002); and of Columbia Jewish Community Center’s Studying the Jewish Future (2004). ■ Theater. ■ Jewish Studies Program American University’s commit- ment 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 ■ Sponsored by the VALERIE FRENCH, and offered courses across the cur- Jewish Studies Program professor emerita, riculum, including in our General American University, Education Program, for all AU ■ ERIC CLINE, chair, Department of “Jewish Family Life students. This year, the program Classical and Semitic Languages and in Ancient Israel” takes great pride in becoming the Literatures, George Washington ■ AVINOAM PATT, first in the nation to offer a minor in University, “Jerusalem Besieged: 4,000 applied research Israel studies. Years of Conflict in the City of Peace” scholar for Jewish life and culture, Center ■ JÜRGEN MATTHÄUS, senior applied for Advanced Holocaust Studies, United research scholar, Center for Advanced States Holocaust Memorial Museum, We count on your support to ensure Holocaust Studies, United States “Jewish Displaced Persons” the vibrancy of our programs. Please use the enclosed business reply Holocaust Memorial Museum, “Reading ■ MARC LEE RAPHAEL, chair, Department envelope to direct your gift. Archival Sources on the Perpetrators” of Religion, and Nathan Gumenick, chair, ■ VANESSA OCHS, director, Jewish Judaic Studies, the College of William For more giving information, contact Studies Program, and professor of reli- and Mary, “Representing the Holocaust Adina Kanefield at 202-885-3780 or gion, University of Virginia, “And Sarah in Poetry” Katie Stratton at 202-885-2515. Laughed: Feminist Midrashim”

3 Faculty Notes

Richard Breitman, Department of History, Ushelikhuto; “God and Man in Slobodka for the History of Medicine and Science. He was the Ina Levine Invitational Scholar, U.S. Musar Theology,” which was published in delivered the keynote address at a meeting of Holocaust Memorial Museum, 2005–06. With Central European Jews at the Crossroads of the Anti-Defamation League in Pittsburgh, Barbara McDonald Stewart and Severin Tradition and Modernity; “Reform Jewish “Defending Tradition: Prejudice and the Rise Hochberg, he edited Advocate for the Doomed: Thought and Religionswissenschaft,” in Modern of the Ethnic Hospital.” He participated on a The Diaries and Papers of James G. McDonald, Judaism and Historical Consciousness. His lec- panel at the Woodrow Wilson Center, the first of three volumes. He published tures were: “Mesirut Nefesh Al Kiddush “Epidemics in the United States: Public Policy “Dannecker and Kappler in Rome,” Deutsche, Hashem: Hagut Ortodoksit Bitekufat Responses and the Lessons to be Learned.” Juden, Völkermord: Der Holocaust als Geschichte Hashoah” (Tel Aviv University); “Avraham During the current debate on immigration und Gegenwart, Michael Mallmann and Jürgen Grodzensky: Yesurim Shel Ahavah Ba-Geto reform, Kraut has been a guest on C-Span’s Matthäus (eds.). Breitman’s lectures include: Kovno” (Bar Ilan University); “Faith and Death Washington Journal and was interviewed by the “Americans in Nazi Germany, 1933,” annual for the Wartime Leadership of the Slobodka, New York Times, Reuters, and Knight-Ridder conference of the Association of Holocaust Lithuania Yeshiva” (American Academy of newspapers, among others. He received a spe- Organizations, (Washington, D.C.); keynote Religion in Philadelphia); “Menahem Mendel cial honor when he was elected to the Hunter lecture, “U.S. Intelligence and the Holocaust,” Schneersohn and the Holocaust” (New York College Hall of Fame by the Alumni Arizona Bureau of Jewish Education’s annual University); and “Derekh Haruah: Eliezer Association of his alma mater, which led to his conference on the Holocaust (Scottsdale, Schweid and the Holocaust” (Van Leer name being added to a plaque at the entrance Ariz.); “United States and Germany, Institute in Jerusalem). He was appointed a to the college at 68th Street and Park Avenue 1933–1939,” and “U.S. Intelligence and the visiting scholar, Institute for Advanced Study, in Manhattan. Nazis,” Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Hebrew University of Jerusalem 2007–2008 Arnost Lustig, professor emeritus, (Prescott, Ariz.). He participated in a news for research on a new history of Hasidism and Department of Literature, was awarded an conference about the Nazi War Criminal served on the Fulbright National Screening honorary degree by Western Michigan Records Interagency Working Group at the Committee for Israel. University. WMU’s Board of Trustees in its National Archives, and his research was cited Jill Klein, Kogod School of Business, with citation noted that Lustig’s writings about the in a New York Times article about this event. her husband, Fred Klein, is active in Operation “humanity of the dehumanized, the courage of He is the editor of the Holocaust Museum’s Embrace (www.operationembrace.org), a the terrorized, and the possibility of moral tri- scholarly journal, Holocaust and Genocide Maryland-based organization that provides umph in the face of fear and humiliation, Studies. direct support to injured terror victims and [have placed him] on the short list for the Erran Carmel, Kogod School of Business, their families by working with the social work- Nobel Prize for Literature. published an article (with J. Eisenberg), ers at Israeli hospitals. During the past three Pamela S. Nadell, Department of History “Narratives That Software Nations Tell years, Operation Embrace has worked closely and Jewish Studies Program, published a coau- Themselves,” which includes Israel as one of with the professionals at Rambam Hospital— thored book, Three Hundred and Fifty Years: six nations they studied, and gave a lecture, the largest hospital in Haifa. An Album of Jewish Memory, which was pre- “Israel High-Tech vs. Indian High-Tech,” at Alan Kraut, Department of History, has sented to attendees at the National Dinner cel- the University of Wisconsin at Madison. received two previous prizes for Goldberger’s ebrating the 350th anniversary of American Kenneth L. Cohen, rabbi and Hillel direc- War, The Life and Work of a Public Health Jewish life. In New York and Los Angeles she tor at AU, appeared on WJLA-TV to discuss Crusader (2003) and this year received a third gave a lecture entitled “Rediscovering the life of Pope John Paul II. He was quoted in prize: the Watson and Helen Mills Prize from Streisand’s Yentl: From Yiddish Story to the Naseeb Vibes (Pakistan), Pak-Link, and the the History of Science Culture Wars” for the National Foundation for Arab News (Saudi Arabia) about Quran dese- Society for the best book Jewish Culture’s “Icons of the American Jewish cration and was a guest columnist on the in the history of science Experience.” She was a panelist and named a Haaretz English Web site on Conservative intended for a general Shusterman Scholar at Hillel International’s Judaism and gay rights. He was a guest on audience. Kraut and “Summit 2006: The University and the Jewish Cleveland’s NPR station WCPN discussing David Gerber coedited Community” and was a judge for the National ordination of gay clergy. Rabbi Cohen was a The American Jewish Book Awards. panelist, along with Christian and Muslim rep- Immigration and Naima Prevots, professor emerita, resentatives, on a U.S. Department of State Ethnicity Reader (2005). Department of Performing Arts, published sev- Webcast entitled “America in the Post 9/11 Alan Kraut Kraut’s article “Bodies eral reviews for www.danceviewtimes.com, an World.” His writings have appeared in two vol- from Abroad: online publication containing dance reviews umes, Readings for Rosh Hashanah and Readings Immigration, Health, and Disease” has been from all over the world. She was a panelist at for Yom Kippur, both edited by Dov Elkins. published in A Companion to American two special events: the LBJ Library’s celebra- Gershon Greenberg, Department of Immigration, Reed Ueda (ed.). Kraut and his tion of the 40th anniversary of the National Philosophy and Religion, published: wife, Deborah A. Kraut, delivered a paper, “‘Is Endowment for the Arts (Austin, Texas) and “Wrestling with God during and after the Your Heart with the Hospital?’: Newark Beth the Bard Graduate Center’s exhibit “Made in Holocaust: A Source Reader” (with Steven T. Israel and the Survival of the Jewish Hospital America: Nationalism and Culture in the Katz); “Shover Shetikah: Hartsa’ato Shel Karski in Twentieth-Century Urban America,” at the World War II Era.” Prevost served as educa- Be-23 Be-Marts 1980,” in Jan Karski, Ha’ish annual meeting of the Southern Association tional consultant for the Washington Ballet; on

4 the Fulbright Senior Specialist Peer Review reform. She was also a featured poet in Shirim Krachts (eds.); and “Water Conflicts and Committee; and as Fulbright senior specialist Magazine. International Water Markets,” Proceedings of for a European Union project in Amsterdam. Marcela Sulak, Department of Literature, the 2nd Israeli-Palestinian International She is completing a chapter for a book on the spent a month in Israel meeting with, among Conference: Water for Life in the Middle East, choreographer Alwin Nikolais; developed a others, faculty from Bar-Ilan University’s litera- Hillel Shuval and Hasan Dwiek (eds.). His lec- seminar on dance advocacy (University of ture department and the Arab-Israeli poet tures include “Euro-Dollar Competition as Maryland); reviewed revised materials for the Nidaa Khoury. Her translation from the Czech Reserve Currencies,” Political Economy of Dance Bagrut examination in Israel; and led of Karel Hynek Macha’s book-length poem Currency Unions in a Globalizing World, seminars for teachers in Israel about dance edu- May was published by Twisted Spoon Press. Leonard Davis Institute for International cation in K-12 public schools. She works with Her poetry was chosen for the Library of Relations, Hebrew University (Jerusalem), and Dance D.C. on projects at Malcolm X and Congress’s noon reading series, where she read “The Social Market and Free Market: Risk and Garfield Elementary Schools in Anacostia. her poems on food. Insurance,” 10th International Karl Polanyi Rhea Schwartz, former deputy director of the Russell A. Stone, Department of Sociology, Conference (Istanbul). He is a member of the Center for Israel Studies, was featured in an is the administrative officer of the Association Advisory Board, the Israel Scholar Develop- article in Lifestyles Magazine that focused on for Israel Studies, an international academic ment Fund, American-Israeli Cooperative her founding the adult figure skating program association for the study of contemporary Enterprise, and chair of the Association for for the United States as well as founding and Israel that is housed at American University in Israel Studies Task Force on Endowed chairing the international adult figure skating cooperation with AU’s Center for Israel Professors and Centers for Israeli Studies. program for the International Skating Union. Studies. He published “New Research on Michael Wenthe, Department of Literature In 2001 she was named “one of the 25 most Israeli Society,” Middle East Studies Association and member of the AU Hillel Board, presented influential people in figure skating” by Bulletin; a review of Joel S. Migdal, “Through conference papers on Gemma Bovery, by Posy International Figure Skating Magazine. The the Lens of Israel: Explorations in State and Simmonds, at the Library of Congress, and on article devoted considerable space to her work Society,”Middle East Studies Association Le Morte Darthur, by Sir Thomas Malory, at at AU’s Center for Israel Studies. Bulletin; and a review of Yoram Meital, “Peace the 41st International Congress on Medieval Rita Simon, School of Public Affairs, coau- in Tatters: Israel, Palestine, and the Middle Studies. He has continued work on a study of thored two books that include chapters on East,” Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal of the medieval Jewish romances of King Arthur. Israel: The Roles and Statuses of Women (with Jewish Studies. During spring semester 2006 he Stephanie Hepburn) and The Defense of was visiting professor in the Department of Insanity (with Heather Ahn Redding). Sociology and Social Anthropology, Hebrew Myra Sklarew, Department of Literature, University (Jerusalem), where he was engaged had poems published in the Potomac, Poetic in research comparing Israeli and Palestinian Voices without Borders, Jewish Renaissance (UK), public opinion polls from the time of the Oslo Maggid (Israel), and the Washington Post. Her Accords, 1993 to the present. He lectured on biography was included in Encyclopedia gender in the Palestine elections at the Judaica, and she wrote the introduction to Department of Communications and Media, 1111 Days in My Life Plus Four by the Israeli Ben Gurion University, and the Departments writer Ephraim Sten. She has had accepted for of Political Science, Sociology and Social publication: “Lithuania” (parts 2, 6, 8), in Anthropology, and Communications and Blood to Remember: American Poets on the Media at Hebrew University. He was also Holocaust; and “Another Day,” Natural Bridge. invited to deliver this lecture as the opening She gave public readings and presentations at address at the 2006 meeting of the Israel Social YediAUt is dedicated to “our teachers Chapters Bookstore, Café Muse, Café and Political Science Association, the Open and their students” down through Toulouse, Virginia Center for the Arts, Politics University, Ra’anana, Israel. Stone is advising and Prose Bookstore, Johns Hopkins editor of the Israel Studies series published by the generations. University/D.C. Science Writers Association, the State University of New York Press. The Jewish Studies Program Inaugural Science Writing Conference (poetry series publishes four to six books on contem- Center for Israel Studies reading based on science), and Finest Faculty porary Israeli society, politics, and history each American University Lecture Series, AU. She was a judge for the year. It currently has over 70 books in print. 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Charlotte Newberger Award in Poetry from He serves on the editorial boards of the jour- Washington, DC 20016-8072 Lilith Magazine, advisor to the State Jewish nals Israel Studies and Israel Studies Forum. Museum of Lithuania on programs and publi- Howard M. Wachtel, Department of www.american.edu/cas/js www.american.edu/israelstudies cations, and board member and participant in Economics, published two articles on water the inauguration of the Cynthia Ozick Society, security issues facing Israel and the region: American Literature Association. Sklarew “The Intersection of Food and Water Security: served as a member of the AU Faculty Senate A Case Study of the Near East,” Food and Published by University Publications Ad Hoc Governance Committee, which pro- Nutrition Security in the Process of Globalization An equal opportunity, affirmative action university. UP07-177 duced proposals for university governance and Urbanization, Manfred Schulz and Uwe

5 Barry Rubin— We thank these contributors to the Seymour and Lillian Abensohn Endowment Fund:* Abensohn Inaugural Lillian Abensohn Morris and Dorothy Cohen Martin L. Kamerow Harold I. and Jane C. Visiting Professor Dr. Mark H. Abensohn Regis C. Cupples Ambassador and Mrs. Max Rodman Dr. Meryl Abensohn and Laura Katz Cutler Kampelman Linda and Jay Rosenkranz arry Rubin, from the John Kraska Vera and Ralph Mildred and Bill Kaplan Ralph and Bette Rothstein Interdisciplinary Center at Steve Abensohn Deckelbaum Mitchell J. and Annie Jonathan and Ruth Ruskin Herzliya, was the first Anne Abramson Eli J. and Helain Landy Kaplan Donald and Fanny B Vickie Abrutyn Dicker Patricia P. Karp Salkowitz Abensohn Visiting Professor in Adas Israel Congregation Sidney and Barbara Cy and Myrtle Katzen Deborah Ratner Salzberg Israel Studies in AU’s Center for Carolyn Alper Dickstein Jack Kay Dr. and Mrs. Howard Israel Studies during the Maurice and Pearl Axelrad Eileen and Lou Drucker Raphael and Temar Kedar Schilit 2005–2006 academic year. Leonard and Gabriela Moe Dweck Lewis K. Kest Hubert and Charlotte Bebchick Samuel R. Dweck Robert and Arlene Kogod Schlosberg (Additional funding for Rubin’s David and Ellen Belkin Foundation Louis Kohl Rabbi Jonathan and Beverly appointment came from the Dottie Bennett Arthur and Ann Eden Sydell B. Kopf Schnitzer United Jewish Endowment Fund Dollye and I. Wolford Gertrude and Robert Seymour D. and Elaine R. Judith Beltz Schreiber of the Jewish Federation of Greater Berman Foundation Edwards Kottler Leonard J. Schreiber Gary and Carol Berman William and Joan Eisenberg Marion and Jeffrey Kraskin Gail and David Schwartz Washington and the American- Jeffrey and Elizabeth Richard and Lois England Daniel and Jocelyn Krifcher Rhea Schwartz and Paul Israeli Cooperative Enterprise.) Berman Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Marvin T. Kuperstein Martin Wolff David and Toni Bickart Forseter Stuart S. Kurlander Harry and Deborah Segal Freddie Mac Foundation Stephen Kurzman and Yetta Segal Ruth Freedman Patricia Goldman Hershel and Judith Shanks Harvey E. Fruman Dr. L. M. Lazarou Dr. Herbert and Madelyn Michael C. and Susan R. Ronald and Wilma Lenkin R. Shapiro Gelman Susan B. Levin Muriel Shindler Dr. Paul and Michelle Levitt Foundation Lawrence A. and Roberta F. Gindoff Harry and Judie Linowes Shulman Geraldine Gittleson Marvin R. Loewy Warren Siegel and Jack and Nesse Godin Kenneth A. Loren Christopher Sanger Sanford and Barbara Gold William and Helen Jay and Ruth Silberg Helen Goldkind Luksenburg Barry and Beth Simon Drs. Sara and Larry Rabbi Jack A. Luxemburg Matthew H. Simon Goldkind Dora S. Mallinoff Joseph and Selma Sitrick Marjory Goldman Dr. William Y. Marcus Arlette Snyder Paula Siegel Goldman Phyllis Margolius Elliot and Susan Sommer Sonia Golubcow Lester and Vivien Marion Dr. and Mrs. Chester Stein Mrs. Elaine L. Goodman Anne C. Mazonson, M.D. Hugh M. and Joan Kline Howard Wachtel, Rhea Schwartz, David and Jane Greene Irene and Sander Steinberger Lillian Abensohn, and Barry Rubin Jean Greenspan Mendelson, M.D. Dr. Gerald and Deena Ruth T. Bigelson Jerald and Debbie Irwin Monsein Stempler Pamela Bilik Greenspan Annette Moshman Saul I. Stern Stuart and Martha Dr. Lynne F. Haims and Wolfgang Mueller Temple Beth Ami Rubin’s year exceeded our most Bindeman Roger Lewis Kay Mussell Priscilla and Dr. George optimistic expectations. He was a Florence Blackman Herbert Halperin Pam Nadell and Ed Farber Tievsky Sylvia Blajwas Pamela Halperin Andrew Obrecht Miriam M. Tommer major force in the classroom—his Herschel and Goldene Tamara and Harry Denise Oken Ruth and Michael spring classes filled to capacity— Blumberg Handelsman David M. and Glenna D. Unterweger and had a significant impact both Stephen A. Bodzin Dr. Samuel Hanik Osnos Howard M. Wachtel on and off campus. These selected Ariella, Joseph, and Dr. and Mrs. Donald Orlee and Irwin Panitch Sherry and Lawrence Shelley Brodecki Harman J. K. Pickard Wachtel student comments typify Rubin’s Helen P. Brown Mindy A. Hecker Howard and Geraldine Diane S. Wapner impact on the campus: “refreshing Rick and Pamela Brown Arthur and Edith Hessel Polinger Shirley Waxman and inspiring,” “especially helpful Lee and Ellen Burstyn Dr. and Mrs. Howard Dr. Richard and Sandra Sybil Wolin in analyzing the Middle East,” Douglas Carlson Hoffman Pollen Cynthia and Morton Zetlin Gerald and Deborah Steven Hoffman Abe and Irene Pollin Dr. Sheldon and Nancy “thanks so much for teaching this Charnoff Lois N. Hollander and Lester and Irma Poretsky Zinberg class,” “how excited I am that a Donald and Mary Carol Steven M. Schlosser Quantum Real Estate Zitelman Family person of your background is at Cherba Richard and Lois Hollander Management Foundation Jane and Joseph Robert and Merry Hudson Violet Rason AU,” “the most realistic of any Churchman Bernard D. and Hanna Ann Ratner *As of August 1, 2006. We other intellectual or professor I James and Irene R. Churgin Hyams Brian Ratner make every effort to pres- have encountered,” “our university Lawrence and Lisa Cines Jewish Youth Philanthropy Ratner Family Foundation ent an accurate donor list. was honored to have you this Sidney and Rosemary Institute Eugenie K. Rawitz If there are mistakes, please Closter Joan Kahn and Leonard Frank Ridge let us know and accept our year.” He delivered 25 lectures out- Melvin and Ryna Cohen Blackman apologies for any errors. side American University and was featured in 32 media interviews. Two special events for the AU delivered the Abensohn Lecture the just-opened Katzen Arts What’s Next?”—to a selected campus and contributors to the about the prospects for democracy Center. And in September 2005, group of major donors to the Abensohn endowment stand out in the Middle East—the subject of shortly after Israel’s historic disen- Abensohn Endowment at the among Rubin’s numerous public his most recent book —in the gagement from Gaza, he delivered home of Lillian Abensohn. ■ activities. In November 2005 he Abramson Family Recital Hall of a speech—“After Disengagement:

6 LEADERSHIP CHANGES AT THE CENTER FOR ISRAEL STUDIES

Howard Wachtel Retires, opinion pollsters, 2005. While serving as a member of the polling being his board of directors of the United States Figure Russell Stone Appointed Director major research Skating Association, she founded and devel- oward M. Wachtel, the founder and interest. In spring oped the adult figure skating program for the director of AU’s Center for Israel 2006 he returned association and was named by International HStudies since its beginning in 1998, to Hebrew Univ- Figure Skating as one of the 25 most influen- has retired from American University after ersity as a visiting tial people in figure skating. This initiated more than three decades at the university. A professor in the the first U.S. National Adult Championships professor of economics, he was twice chair of Department of in 1995 and a decade later the first Adult its Department of Economics, acting dean of Sociology and International Skating Competition in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Russell Stone Anthropology. Obersdorf, Germany, in 2005. founder and director from 1994 to 1997 of Stone also serves as She played a significant role in develop- AU’s Study Abroad in Paris. He has written administrative officer of the Association for ing the center both on campus and through- four books—many of which went into sever- Israel Studies, an international academic asso- out the metropolitan area, bringing many al editions and for- ciation for the study of contemporary Israel, new friends into the center’s sphere and eign translations— which is housed in AU’s Center for Israel cementing relations between the center and and nearly 100 arti- Studies. He is the advising editor of the Israel many Jewish community groups. “My time cles on topics rang- Studies series for the State University of New at the center could not have been more ing from globaliza- York Press and serves on the editorial boards challenging or interesting. Whatever I will tion to Wall Street’s of Israel Studies and Israel Studies Forum. do in the future, I remain committed to history, from the “Our challenge for the future of AU’s improving the status of Israel on campuses former Yugoslavia Center for Israel Studies,” he says, “is to pro- and in the larger Jewish community.” to labor in the vide the university and the wider community Adina Kanefield, an involved member of American economy, with information and outlooks on the many the Washington, D. C., Jewish community, and from economic facets of modern-day Israel; its diversity of comes to the center as deputy director after a Howard Wachtel transformation in talents, activities, and interests; and the prob- career as a lawyer. Europe and the lems it faces in assuring its position in the She is currently a Third World to the politics of international Middle East and the world. To do so, we board member of the monetary flows across borders. Among five must expand the base of support for our cen- Jewish Primary Day appointments outside the United States were: ter and continue to provide students, faculty, School of the distinguished visiting scholar at the American and the community with programs on a Nation’s Capital. Academy in Berlin, Gould Visiting Scholar at broad range of Israel-related topics that Her interest in the American University in Paris, and aca- reflect its contributions to society.” ■ and connection to demic visitor at the Truman Institute of Israel stems from her Hebrew University. Rhea Schwartz Retires, Adina family roots in Israel: “Of all my achievements at American her grandparents University,” he said, “the Center for Israel Kanefield Named Deputy Director Adina Kanefield immigrated to Studies is the one that has given me the most hea Schwartz, deputy director of the Palestine in the satisfaction and pride. To have been able to Center for Israel Studies since 2001, 1930s, and her mother grew up in Israel. create something entirely new that is now R has decided to pursue other interests. Kanefield spent her summers in Israel as a being replicated across the country and to She came to the center after a career as a child, and she attended high school in have brought to AU’s campus another face of lawyer in both Jerusalem and college at Tel Aviv University Israel has fulfilled an ambition I have had for private and govern- as an exchange student. She is conversational- a long time to influence the debate about ment practice and a ly fluent in Hebrew. “I am looking forward to Israel on campuses in the United States.” business woman in working with Russell Stone and the AU com- Russell Stone, chair of the Department Washington. She munity in growing the center as a model for of Sociology, is the new director of the has served on the campuses across the country and making it a Center for Israel Studies at AU. His interest boards of the focal point in Washington, D.C., for the in Israel dates back to the early 1960s, when American Jewish study of modern Israel,” she says. he spent a year in a leadership program in Committee, Girl Kanefield received her law degree from Jerusalem and a kibbutz. He studied at the Scouts of America, the George Washington University Law Hebrew University of Jerusalem as a graduate District of School, where she served on the Law Review. student in the 1960s, returned as a visiting Columbia Jewish Rhea Schwartz She received her bachelor’s and master’s professor and lecturer at Hebrew University Community degrees, summa cum laude, in political and Ben Gurion University in the 1970s, and Center, and Washington Performing Arts science and international studies from Emory has maintained ever since a wide network of Society. She was a U.S. representative at the University, where she served as a Carter aide contacts among academic leaders and public International Women’s Forum in Israel in at the Carter Center. ■

7 Center for Israel Studies American University 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20016-8072 www.american.edu/israelstudies 202-885-3780 (phone) 202-885-1318 (fax)

The Center for Israel Studies and the Jewish Studies Program thank the following donors for their generous contributions.* Anonymous Alumni Joanne L. Davis Samuel J. Halpern Mr. Marc Miller Bonnie and Stuart Sigel Family Lillian Abensohn Stephanie DeSibour and Mark Harry and Tamara Mr. Paul Milstein Philanthropic Fund Roselyn F. Abitbol Miller Handelsman Daniel J. Mitterhoff Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Sigel Anne E. and Ronald Abramson Stewart and Myra Deutsch Barbara and Bill Harkaway Robin M. Molan Silver Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Paul Alloy Lisa Dick Mark W. Hart Mr. and Mrs. Jack Moshman Mrs. Margaret A. Silver Carolyn Alper Leatrice and Melvin Eagle Andrea Becker Herman Kay Mussell and Boris Lindsey P. Silver Nancy Alper Ann and Arthur Eden Mr. and Mrs. Ken Heyman Weintraub Mr. Louis Silverman Richard and Nancy Alper Marc and Marlene Eden Lisa and Murray Horwitz Pamela Nadell Mr. Mark D. Silverman Patricia Alper-Cohn and David Rochelle S. Eisenberg Hon. Ellen and Jeffrey Huvelle Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Susan Silverman Cohn Richard and Lois England Ms. Tamora M. Ilasat Nussdorf Mr. and Mrs. Barry Simon American Israel Cooperative Jack and Trudy Exelbert Johnston, Lemon and Ms. Denise J. Oken Rabbi Eric J. Siroka Enterprise Abbey Silberman Fagin Company David and Glenna Osnos Mrs. Lee M. Sislen Lon and Ellen Babby J. Casey Faiman Roz and Gary Jonas Dr. Mark N. Ozer Mr. David A. Sislen Melissa Bernstein Bailin Gloria and George Falk Elliott Kagan Beverly Ann Pasternak Myra Sklarew Estate of Nathan Baily Harriette B. and Daniel B. Ms. Gail Kalin Mr. Anup C. Patel David and Donna Sobel Baxt Family Foundation Farber Martin and Corinne Kamerow Steve and Joanne Peck Mr. and Mrs. Elliot B. Susan J. Becker The Melvin and Betty Fine Dr. and Mrs. Marvin Kantor Robert F. and Susan S. Pence Sommer Ann Belkov Foundation Mrs. Patricia Karp Robert Pincus Ronald and Harriet Sommer Meredith Belkov Mark and Hope Foster Lauren Kart Howard and Geraldine Ms. Yael Spiwak Miriam and Eliezer Benbassat J. Rolyn Franzen Roslyn and Russell Katz Polinger Foundation Dr. and Mrs. Neil L. Starr Dorothy G. Bender Heather N. Freedman Dr. and Mrs. Cyrus Katzen Stephen and Susan Porter Dr. Gerald and Deana Foundation, Inc. Mr. Mark S. Freedman Mr. Jack Kay Bernard and Audre Rapoport Stempler Mr. and Mrs. Morton A. Valerie French Mr and Mrs. Robert M. Keats Dr. and Mrs. Robert Mr. Samson Stern Bender Tom and Leslie Freudenheim Ms. Elisa Klein Ratcheson Drs. Jeremy and Merril Stock Jason Benkendorf Judith H. Friedman Sandra M. Kloner Ms. Alisa H. Reff Stone Street Financial Dottie Bennett and Richard Mr. Walter C. Furst Ms. Wendy Kloner Ms. Sharon Rennert L. M. Sturm Foundation Morton Mr. James S. Galfund Joe and Donna Koenig Marlene and Edward Riceberg Mrs. Melanie Sturm Mr. Lee F. Berger Robin Wildstein Garvin Bill and Elaine Kremens Mr. Jeffrey C. Ritter Ms. Reana C. Sudfield Gary and Carol Berman Anne Gelfand Stephen Kurzman and Patricia Joan and Marvin Rosenberg Ms. Judith U. Sugarman Jeffrey and Elizabeth Berman Ambassador and Mrs. Joseph Goldman Charlie and Joanne Rosendorf Marcia G. Synnott Barbara Bikoff and Craig Gildenhorn Dr. Louis and Kitty Lazarou Patti and Ron Rosenfeld Jill and Harvey Tekel Berkowich ThankDr. Michael Gold Paul and Barbara Leber You!Mr. Irving Rosenthal Temple Israel Foundation Stuart and Marty Bindeman Stanley R. Goldberg Mr. Paul Legr Jerry and Micheline Rosenthal Mr. Herman Taube The Blajwas Family Jack Goldhaber Mr. Matthew R. Leshner Adrienne and Jeremy Roth Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Philanthropic Fund Margery and Nathan Goldman Glory Letter S-F Foundation, Inc. Taubman Mrs. Linda P. Brennan Milton L. Goldman Mr. and Mrs. David Levenson Michael and Deborah Salzburg Mr. Jay J. Tcath The Brodecki Family Alan and Ellen Goldner Fred H. Levin Philanthropic Fund Mr. Robert L. Tracy Michael and Heidi Brodsky Jerrold and Jane Goodman Naomi R. Levin Mr. Leo Samet Mr. Norman Turkish Mr. Lawrence S. Brown Herbert and Barbara Gordon Nicole Levine Dr. and Mrs. Craig Sander United Jewish Endowment Ms. Susan B. Cadel Dr. Everett and Mrs. Marian David and Joan Levinson Ms. Clara G. Schiffer Fund Dr. David J. Cantor Gordon Arnold and Clarice Levy Mr. and Mrs. Hank Schlosberg Gerald Wedren Craig F. Cardy Joy Gordon Philip G. Levy Mr. Kenneth J. Schnoll Mr. Bruce D. Weinstein David S. and Mindy K. Carton Mr. Richard Gordon Phil London Marie and Steve Schram Mr. David Weinz Charlotte and Paul Chandler Jamie Gorelick and Dr. Mr. Michael A. Longwill Leonard J. Schreiber Stanley and Joan Weiss Ms. Leah Chanin Richard Waldhorn Gregg A. Luckman Ms. Kimi Schulman Ms. Bayla F. White Mr. and Mrs. Joseph B. Gorlitz Foundation William and Helen Ms. Linda Schwartz Ms. Phyllida Willis Churchman Debbie and Allen Grant Luksenburg Ms. Rhea S. Schwartz and Mr. Christopher Wolf Sidney and Rosemary Closter Ada Green Princeton and Helen Lyman Paul Martin Wolff Dr. Steven J. Wolin Ms. Dorothy Z. Cohen Ms. Bonnie E. Green Ms. Lori Lyons Madelyn and Herbert Shapiro Yablick Inc. Charities Hon. Geoffrey D. Cohen and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Green Louise and Edward Mach Ms. Sophie L. Shapiro Mr. and Mrs. Morton Zetlin Lori Parrish Amy and Adam Greenberg Ms. Marcia Weiner Mankoff Mr. Stephen M. Shapiro Laurence Zieper Herbert and Brenda Cohen Gertrude and Martin Mankoff Family Foundation Steven and Arlene Shapiro Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Zinberg Howard R. Cohen Greenberg Mr. Stuart J. Marcus 1989 Sheinbaum Trust Sharon and Jeremy Zissman Mr. and Mrs. Morris Cohen Ms. Laura Greenberg Naomi McNally Stanley Sheinbaum Delphine and Lenard Zohn Mr. and Mrs. David I. Cohn Ada Greenblatt Alan and Amy Meltzer Adam Sher Susan F. Cohn Mr. Toby Greene Memorial Foundation for Ms. Charna Sherman and Mr. *As of August 1, 2006. We Stacie E. and Jim Curran Deborah and Jerald Greenspan Jewish Culture David Weiner make every effort to present an Sander Davidson and Suzanne Martha Gross and Robert Sander and Irene Mendelson Ms. Susan Shinderman accurate donor list. If there are Klein Davidson Tracy Mr. Matthew Merlin Judy and Jerry Shulman mistakes, please let us know Cora and John H. Davis Jack and Marion Hahn Ms. Lynne Mersfelder-Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Norman and accept our apologies for Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Halle Ms. Randy Michelson Shusterman any errors.