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Past Events

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Please findrecent events with recaps and photos below. Forall upcoming events, please seeour page.Keep up to date with CIS news and events by reading theCIS Newsletter.

Recent Event Highlights

Michael Brenner: How Jew-Hatred Became a Political Weapon–

1:42:13

While anti-Jewish hatred is very old, the term antisemitism is relatively new. What are its origins, how does it differ from traditional anti-Judaism, and why does it matter for the modern political discourse? AU professor Michael Brenner discusses the origins of antisemitism, how it differs from traditional anti-Judaism, and why it matters to modern political discourse.

View the full playlist from thefall 2024 series,Antisemitism: A Political Tradition.

Guy Ziv Book Talk: Netanyahu vs The Generals

45:36

AU Professor Guy Ziv discusses his recent book “Netanyahu vs The Generals: The Battle for Israel’s Future.” Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, has cultivated an image as “Mr. Security” during his political career. However, this reputation clashes with the Israeli security community’s perspective. Guy Ziv’s book delves into this intriguing paradox. It explores the mutual distrust and intense disagreements between Netanyahu and the security community, shedding light on why the Israeli public often disregards the collective judgment of hundreds of ex-generals and former spymasters.

Global Israel: Ukraine

On March 5, 2024, Her Excellency Oksana Markarova, the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States, hosted Ukrainian and Israeli diplomats at Ukraine House for a discussion on Ukraine-Israel Relations.

2024 Israeli Writer Series: Ayelet Gunder-Goshen

In Spring 2024, CIS hosted a conversation with Israeli writer Ayelet Gunder-Goshen on the narratives of trauma and recovery in fiction and life.

2024 Sonenshine Lecture with Dennis Ross

On February 15, 2024, Ambassador Dennis Ross discussed, “What’s Next? The Future of US/Israel Foreign Relations” with CIS Director Michael Brenner.

Archive

Browse below to review selected highlights from previous years ofCenter for Israel Studies events:

Conferences

September 10 -11, 2023

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

View Conference Website for conference participants and schedule.

Opening Panel: Recognizing the Gaps in Israel’s Society with Mohammad Darawshe (Givat Haviva), Ruth Calderon (ALMA Center) and Zvi Ben-Dor Benite (NYU)

Panel 1: Secular-Religious Divide with panelists: Gilad Malach (IDI), Dan Ben-David (Shoresh Institution for Socioeconomic Research), Alexander Kaye (Brandeis)

Panel 2: Arab-Jewish Divide with Panelists: Rebecca Bardach, Ayala Hendin (Washington University in St. Louis), Raghad Jaraisy (Sikkuy-Aufoq)


Lunch Keynote by Dana Blander (IDI)


Panel 3: Ethnic Divisions Among Israel’s Jewish Society with Panelists: Efrat Yerday (BAMAH Visting Scholar, AU), Hillel Cohen (Hebrew University), Yuval Evri (Brandeis)

March 6, 2023

The majority of Israelis today can trace back part or all of their ancestry to immigrants from the Arab world. Ranging from Iraq to Morocco, and from Syria to Yemen, the histories and identities of these communities differed significantly prior to their immigration to Israel, although they all lived for more than a thousand years under Islamic rule and were Arabic speakers. Since the 1980s, the term Mizrahim (literally “Easterners”) has been gradually replacing previous terms, such as “edot ha-mizrah” (the Eastern Communities) or Sephardim (descendants of Iberian Jews), despite the fact that many of them originated in countries located much to the west of Israel, such as Morocco or Egypt. Some immigrants and their descendants chose the term Arab Jews for themselves in order to underline that before their immigration they were part of the Arab world, just as European Jews had been part of Europe.

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

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

(Achva College)

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

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

November 13-14, 2022

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

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

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

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

November 10-11, 2019

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

October 28-29, 2018

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

View photos from .

February 11, 2018

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

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November 12-13, 2017

Renowned Israeli chefs and scholars gathered for a day-long conference of passionate discussion surrounding the dynamic world of Israeli cuisine and culture. The conference explored the intersection of Israeli cuisine and society through the lens of history, demographic changes, and the integration of various cultures into the nation. The conference featured scholars in the fields of food studies, cultural studies, and anthropology, in tandem with chefs, writers, and historians. Featured onJTAandi24 news.

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Tuesday, March 21, 2017

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

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


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

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Thursday, October 27, 2016

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

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Global Israel Embassy Events

March 5, 2024

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

November 28, 2022

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

Screening of "Germans and Jews"

November 28, 2016

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

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February 11th, 2020

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

November 18th, 2019

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

February 26, 2019

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

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November 14, 2018

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

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Read More about the Japan Embassy event on Student Israelity.

Israelis in Africa: "The Kenya-Israel Connection"

October 29, 2018

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

View photos of Israelis in Africa.

October 19, 2017

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

Rerad a student reflection:

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March 22, 2018

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

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September 13, 2017

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

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December 6, 2016

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

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November 7, 2016

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

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February 29, 2016

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

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October 8, 2015

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

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September 9, 2015

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

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Roundtable Discussions and Panels

October 12, 2020

AU's Center for Israel Studies and Jewish Studies Program brought together three of the most important Jewish voices, Isaac Herzog, David Harris, and Rabbi Delphine Horvilleur, to discuss the status of Israel-Diaspora relations today.

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The Black Lives Matter Movement has become a vocal force of social justice in the USin the last few years. While blackness has different meanings in Israel than in the US, the Jewish state too has witnessed street protests against discrimination and police violence against black Israelis. Michael Brenner, Abensohn Chair in Israel Studies at American University, moderated an expert discussion on the complex definitions of "blackness" in Israel and on the blurring of color lines in a highly diverse society. The panel included Professor Uri Dorchin (University of Colorado/Ben-Gurion University of the Negev) and Ethiopian-Israeli activists Pnina Agenyahu and Ashager Araro.

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April 10, 2019

Following the Israeli elections on April 9,CIS hosteda discussion on the election results.Professors Michael Brenner (Dept. of History,AbensohnChair in Israel Studies), Guy Ziv (SIS) and Morad El Sana (Anthropology) discussed the implications of the April 9 Israeli elections in forming the next government of Israel. Co-sponsored by CIS and AU Hillel.

September 27, 2018

A panel discussion with Arie Dubnov, (George Washington University'sMax TicktinChair of Israel Studies) and Professor Mohammed Wattad (Zefat Academic College Dean of Law) was moderated by AU Professor Lauren Strauss. Co-sponsored by AU CIS, Gildenhorn Institute for Israel Studies, UMD; Greater Washington Forum on Israeli Arab Issues, and the Washington Hebrew Congregation.

March 26, 2018

Joined by the Mohamed Said Farsi Chair for Islamic Peace, CIS hosted this panel discussion which featured previous negotiators, advisers and participants who played influential roles in the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process including, Ghaith al-Omari, Leila Hilal, William B. Quandt and Itamar Rabinovich. This discussion was moderated by SIS Associate Professor Dr. Anthony Wanis-St. John, and hosted by SIS Professor and Farsi Chair Elizabeth F. Thompson, CIS Director Michael Brenner, and Chairs in Israel Studies Seymour and Lillian Abensohn. Co-Sponsored byMiddle East Studies@AU, Arab World Studies, SIS International Peace and Conflict Resolution Program, AU Negotiation Project and AU International Relations Society.

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Six Days in June 1967 changed the very essence of the Jewish state. Israel emerged with a territory three times as big as before the war. It controlled the holy Jewish sites in Jerusalem and Hebron, but also a substantial Palestinian population. While it was a military and religious triumph for some, other claimed that Israel lost the war on the seventh day, when it decided not to return from a significant part of the newly conquered territories.

A panel of experts discussed the long term implications of the war for Israel. CIS director Michael Brenner moderated the discussion with Alon Confino (University of Virginia/Ben-Gurion University), Arie Dubnov (George Washington University), Yoav Gelber (American University/IDC Herzliya), Benny Morris (Ben Gurion University/Georgetown University), Yoram Peri (University of Maryland) and Tamara Wittes (Brookings Institution).

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November 14, 2016

The AU Center for Israel Studies (CIS), School of International Service (SIS), and the Kennedy Political Union (KPU) were proud to host a roundtable discussion on the legacy of former Israeli President, Prime Minister, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Shimon Peres, who passed away on September 28th. Peres, Israel's elder statesman, and a champion of Arab-Israeli peacemaking, inaugurated CIS in 1998. The discussion featured form Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Kurtzer, and SIS Professor Guy Ziv, author ofWhy Hawks Become Doves: Shimon Peres and Foreign Policy Change in Israel.

September 22, 2016

Panel discussion on the changing relationship between U.S. Jews and Israel which featured

  • Dov Waxman (Northeaster), author ofTrouble in the Tribe: The American Jewish Conflict over Israel
  • Michael Barnett (GWU), author ofThe Star and the Stripes: A History of the Foreign Policies of American Jews
  • Yaron Gamburg, Minister of Public Diplomacy at the Embassy of Israel

Moderated by Pamela Nadell, Director of Jewish Studies Program. Co-sponsored by Jewish Studies Program and School of Public Affairs. A book-signing followed the discussion.

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Graduate Student Presentations

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

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November 12, 2018

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

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September 12, 2016

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

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Visiting Lecturers

Sept. 29th, 2022

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

February 7, 2022

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

April 5 2022

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

March 15, 2021

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

March 26, 2019

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

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December 3, 2018

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

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Read More about Meir Shalev's Presentation on Student Israelity.

March 1, 2018

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

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Monday, January 22, 2018

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

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Monday, March 6, 2017

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

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

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Book Talks

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

View videos and photos of Israeli Writer Series

February 19, 2020

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

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February 6, 2020

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

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October 15, 2019

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

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September 10, 2019

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

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March 19, 2019

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

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February 6, 2019

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

February 5, 2019

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

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October 23, 2018

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

October 18, 2018

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

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

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Thursday, February 23, 2017

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

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Tuesday, September 6, 2016

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

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Arts and Culture

February 23, 2022

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

March 28, 2019

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

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March 28, 2019

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

August 27, 2019

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

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

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

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

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