Benny Morris on "The First Arab-Israeli War"

There will be a lecture tomorrow night by Benny Morris. Here's the official blurb about it courtesy of Sam Bernhardt '10:

Professor Benny Morris: "The First Arab-Israeli War" - Benny Morris is one of Israel's most distinguished, yet also one of its most controversial historians. His groundbreaking books deal with the sixty years of conflicted relations between Israeli's and Arabs. Professor Morris will be discussing his new book on the first Arab-Israeli War of 1948. A reception will follow the presentation.

Sponsored by the Jewish and Israeli Studies Certificate Program. Contact Jeremy Zwelling (jzwelling@wes) for more info.

When: Monday, February 02, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Where: Usdan University Center 108

The lecture promises to be interesting at the least and horribly controversial at most. Read more about Benny Morris on Wikipedia.

Vigil for Gaza

Please join us for a vigil that commemorates and reflects upon the innocent lives lost and disrupted in the recent conflict in Gaza. We plan to join in solidarity with the hope of peace.

This event is hosted by AMES (Arab and Middle Eastern Students), ADAPT (Awareness, Dialogue, and Action about Palestine/Israel Today), the IJL (Interfaith Justice League), the MSA (Muslim Student Association), and the Havurah (Jewish student association).

What: Vigil for Gaza
When: Wednesday, Jan 28th from 9pm - 9:30 pm
Where: Smith Reading Room (usually the quiet room inside Olin)

Jerusalem Women Speak: Three Women, Three Faiths, One Shared Vision

Lev Plaves '10 sends in some info about a really interesting event later today (Thursday) about the prospect of peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict:

Do you know what it means to live in Palestine and Israel? Do you know what it takes to build peace -- after years of war, occupation and conflict? Three women -- a Palestinian Christian, an Israeli Jew, and a Palestinian Muslim -- living the realities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, will answer these questions and share their experiences and their hopes for a just peace. The women -- educators, film makers, activists -- are engaged in their own way to resolve the conflict and chart a brighter future for their region. Each lives the hardships of conflict and the tragedy of occupation in unique ways; each has witnessed decades of Israeli-Palestinian violence and the intermittent attempts to rekindle peace talks. Together they have made a commitment to address American audiences about their work for a peaceful future and what must be done to improve today's deteriorating situation.

When: Thursday, Nov 6 at 4:15 pm
Where: Shanklin 107
$$$: Free

Sponsored by ADAPT, Muslim Student Association, and the Jewish and Israel Studies Department

"Why Didn't You Come Before The War?" in Memorial Chapel

The Contemporary Israeli Voices lecture series, sponsored by the Jewish and Israel Studies Department, is sponsoring a performance by Fabiana Meyuhas tomorrow, October 29, at 8 pm in the Memorial Chapel.

From the announcement:

This one-woman show, based on a book by the same title and written by Lizzie Doron, depicts the story of a few second-generation Holocaust survivors as seen through the eyes of those born in Israel after World War II. The show deals with the change of heart in Israeli society towards those who survived the horrors of the camps: from incomprehension and rejection to empathy and acceptance.

Fabiana Meyuhas plays Elizabeth, who survived while her entire family perished in the camps. Fabiana Meyuhas has appeared in leading parts at Israel's main theatres (such as Habimma, Hakameri, Beit Lessin, Beer Sheeba) and in various films and television programs. She won the best actress prize at the Akko Fringe festival.

Reception will follow in Zelnick

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 29th
Time: 8 PM
Place: Memorial Chapel

Birthright: free trip to Israel

Avi Smith '09 sends in the following info:

Heard of Birthright? It's a free trip to Israel, happening over winter break, and you're eligible as long as you have at least one Jewish parent and haven't been on a peer trip to Israel since you were 12. The trip will probably be all Wesleyan students and their friends.

Registration for Birthright is Sept 10th, a week from Wednesday, so if you're thinking of going, you need to act fast!! They are having fewer and fewer Birthright trips each year because of rising gas prices and the dollar going down, so this is the year to go!

Informational meetings:
- Sunday, Sept 7, 3pm, the Bayit (157 Church St) and
- Thursday, September 4, 7:30 pm also at the Bayit
You only need to come to one meeting, and bring your laptop if you can.

If you're considering going at all, you should come to the meeting. registration is soon and fills up fast!

If you have more questions, check out www.israelexperts.com/taglit or
email Avi Smith(aesmith) or Rachel Berkowitz (rberkowitz).

It's a pretty sweet (and totally free) trip full of interesting dialogue, and Avi and Rachel are pretty much going to be the greatest leaders ever. I highly recommend it.

ADAPT's final events of the year

Check out these two events going on this week:

Combatants for Peace: ending the cycle of violence in Israel/Palestine

Join us for a discussion with former Israeli solder Elik Elhanan. Elhanan is familiar with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict both as a fighter and as a victim. He now refuses military service, and is a founding member of “Combatants for Peace”, a movement started jointly by Palestinians and Israelis who have taken an active part in the cycle of violence; Israelis as soldiers in the Israeli army (IDF) and Palestinians as part of the violent struggle for Palestinian freedom. After brandishing weapons for so many years, and having seen one another only through weapon sights, they have decided to put down their guns, and to fight for peace and dialogue. Elhanan will tell his powerful personal story, and provide unique insight into the struggle for peace in Israel/Palestine today.

When: Monday, April 28 at 4:30 pm
Where: PAC 001

~~~

Occupation and Resistance: Contextualizing Conflict in Northern Ireland, Palestine, and Hawaii

Professors Bruce Masters and Kehaulani Kauanui of Wesleyan along with Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh from Wheels of Justice will speak on a panel that draws connections between the conflicts in Northern Ireland, Hawaii, and Palestine/Israel. Professor Masters specializes in histories of Western Asia and Ireland. Professor Kauanui emphasizes the study of race, law, and the colonization/occupation of Hawaii in her work. Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh is an author and activist who advocates non-violent solutions to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict.

Date: Wednesday, April 30 at 4:15
Where: PAC 001
Also sponsored by April

Bring Proof, All Ye Who Enter Here

For those of who love searching for the afikomen like a little kid or eating latkes drenched in applesauce, even if it means struggling through the four questions every other year, rest assured that you may continue to enjoy these things even if the State of Israel doesn't think you're really Jewish.

If you want to get married, on the other hand, you may have some issues. The New York Times Magazine has published a fascinating article on just how difficult it can be to prove you're a Jew. As the article astutely notes, there was a time when it was pretty damn safe to assume that no one would illegitimately claim to be Jewish - there just wasn't anything to be gained. I guess that's no longer true.

Does this make sense? Well, to me at least, it seems like there are few enough of us as it is - no real need to be exclusive. On the other hand, clubs that everyone can join are intrinsically less fun... (ahh for the days of "NO GiRLZ").

Free screening of "Encounter Point"

Lev Plaves '10 sent us a rather lengthy advertisement for a screening of Encounter Point. The condensed synopsis:

ADAPT presents a screening of Encounter Point, an 85-minute feature documentary film that follows a former Israeli settler, a Palestinian ex-prisoner, a bereaved Israeli mother and a wounded Palestinian bereaved brother who risk their lives and public standing to promote a nonviolent end to the conflict. Together, they press for a grassroots movement for peace and reconciliation.

Date: Tuesday, December 4
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Shanklin 107